Bulk first and then cut?

[Futures84]

Ok,
So I've been out of the gym for a bunch of reasons (some good, some not) for quite a while now. I started in 04 trying to get myself into shape. It was working... and now with the time off, I'm basically back to square 1.
I'm 6'1 255ish. My body fat is probably sad, but I don't know the exact amount.

I'd like to get to like 200-210 and roughly 8-12% body fat. The thing is, I saw and read now that you're supposed to bulk FIRST, and then cut. Does that work in my scenario too? I'm supposed to like ballon to 270ish and then try and lose like 70lbs of fat? Or what?

I'm just looking for insight here. I can't start back at the gym til sometime next week (starting a new job then, wanna make sure my sleep is on track til then because it's gonna be 2nd shift) So I have some time to develop a routine and diet plan. Thanks in advance.

[Reverend Satan]

Don't eat a diet for bulking or you will just make it more difficult to cut later. Concentrate on losing some bodyfat but that doesn't mean you can't hit the weights hard and gain some muscle too. Remember, at this point your body is so untrained you can probably do the rare thing of add some muscle while losing bodyfat.

[hanuri]

If in your shoes I would just start training and make sure to get enough food in so that the training can be progressively lifted to where it once was. Once you retain the lost muscle( muscle memory)you ought to see some good changes in you.
So no overeating just enough you get by and ofcourse enough protein. after some ½ year or close to year( at least several months) you can decide whether you want to cut up or what. remember mass for the sake of mass is a dead end.
good luck. may the force be w you...:bigsmile