Cut or Maintain/Recomp?

[Alyion]

Hi,

Been doing SS straight for about 4/5 months and my results so far are

SQ - 45 3x5 -> 315 3x5 (354 1rm)
BE - 45 3x5 -> 190 3x5 (215 1rm)
DE -135 1x5 -> 360 1x5 (405 1rm)
PC - 45 5x3 -> 175 5x3 (185 1rm)
PR - 45 3x5 -> 137 3x5 (145 1rm)

and my stats are 6'2 216 lbs and about 17/18% bf, and i'm 21 years old.

Been slowing down on my progress lately (knocked the squats down to 2x a week) and i'd imagine i'd hopefully get some more poundages out before I have to move on. I've gotten a lot softer, but still no visable gut or anything and I don't think im actually fat at all (jean size is a 34).

But with the weather getting warmer (but not a lot warmer - thanks to the UK ;)) part of me wants to lean down about 15-20 lbs while the other part of me wants to just keep my weight under 220 and get as strong as possible (should be able to get to a 450+ squat at 220 easily?) and forget about cutting unti next year, and im not bothered about aesthetics at all really.

I also noticed the to cut or bulk article a few months back (http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/to-bulk-or-to-cut-that-is-the-question-or-is-it/) and i'd be interested in doing that also like if I kept my cals at slighty under 3000 and did some slow-as-hell 1lb a month cut or something, but has anyone had any good experience with this?

I'm just a bit all over the place at where to go as both ways seem just as viable really.

tl:dr - Got some half decent beginner strength, scared of losing strength if I lean out, don't think i'm really ready to lean out yet, but don't wanna gain more weight - wondering if its possible to slowly recomp or if its a waste of time.

[Guido]

Being 6'2 you have plenty of room to continue to gain some weight as you get stronger. I'd milk it for as long as you can continue making gains on the linear progression and then worry about BF%. You could easily weigh 230+ lbs at your height and not be remotely fat. Increase the muscle mass, gain strength till you plateau, switch to something else like Texas Method or 5-3-1, then deal with diet. You won't need to even make a dramatic change in diet, either. Perhaps drop calories by 500 or so per day (mostly in carbs) and see what happens over a week or two when you are ready, but keep getting plenty of protein and fats.

Here. Read these if you haven't already:
http://70sbig.com/?p=1158
http://70sbig.com/?p=1170
http://70sbig.com/?p=1192

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/eating-optimally-for-massive-size-and-strength/

[Alyion]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

I'm always gonna carry on with strength training - I love it and like I mentioned im not interested in bodybuilding, I just dont wanna spin my wheels and end up wasting a lotta time for the most 'practical' approach, I guess im just at loggerheads due to my noob gains starting to fade.

I just shut up and keep lifting heavy things.

and i'm a big fan of 70's big as well ;)

Thanks.