u/Conscious_Durian2920 — reddlx

Hey everyone,

I’ve been going to the gym for a while now. I started at 60 kg and now I’m around 69 kg. I’ve built a decent amount of muscle, especially in my arms and shoulders.

The issue is that I gained some stubborn fat, mainly around my lower belly and sides. It’s not a lot, but it becomes noticeable when I wear a compression shirt.

I’m thinking about starting a cut and I have a few questions:

How long does it usually take to lose this kind of stubborn fat (weeks or months)?
Do I need to track my calories strictly, or can I just cut out sugar and reduce carbs?
Is it a good idea to start cutting now, or will I risk losing muscle?

For context:

Weight: 69 kg
Training: 4–5 days per week
Goal: lose fat while maintaining muscle (aesthetic look)

Any advice would be appreciated