# First Pic is the before shot and the other 2 pics are the after shots. (All photos are taken under very similar natural lighting conditions)

Started my "lean-ish" bulk around 3 months ago. Been lifting super consistently (5 days a week) with a good split and keeping progressive overload in mind, on a 300 calorie surplus. Protein intake has been damn near perfect, but I have cheated a few times when it comes to carbs. My carb intake isn't super clean, ate a good amount of breads and fried foods during the bulk, which I regret, but thankfully I'm learning how to cook, which is making it so much easier to control my diet.

I'm also not on anything, not even protein powder. I manage to hit my protein target simply by incorporating meats in every meal. My pre- workout is just a strong cup of coffee and a banana.

I have been progressing in the gym really well but I'm not sure if it's showing on my physique. Also not sure when to start cutting, my waist was 28.7 Inches when I started and now it's 30.5 Inches.

Would love any advice on how to know when it's time to cut and how to cut while maintaining most of the muscle gained. Also a little off topic question, I find it exhausting to train abs after lifting, but people recommend training abs while on a bulk so when you cut they're more pronounced, how do l add abs to my   
routine without sacrificing any other muscle group?

I just feel a little fat, which is what worries me because I've read too many stories of people's bulking transformations going sideways.

[18, 5”8’, 60KG --> 64.5KG] Panicking amidst first “Lean” Bulk.