I am at a bit of a crossroads I guess. I am trying to figure out which goal I should focus on for lifting. Or what might make the most sense I guess. So here are the following

>1 315 lbs bench press
I have been wanting this for awhile and I am at 275 lbs bench press for a 1 rep max now. I think I could make it to 315 but I have to ask myself why I even want 315 lbs bench press and the only answer I could come up with is "I just want to be able to call myself strong and not be a liar." as if a 315 lbs would be the only qualifying factor which is probably not I guess

>2 Lose weight.
I am 6 feet tall and weigh 235 now. Ideally I want to be 200 lbs. However, losing weight would most likely make my bench press weaker and bring me farther away from a 315 lbs bench if I chose to go for that.

>3 Work on overall health
I have a lot of issues outside of the gym with mental health and just general problems that are and are not related to the gym. Basically, the only stable part of my life is the gym stuff. Everything else is ass and I am a depressive mess outside of the gym. I realistically should try to repair other aspects of my life but I am fearful that in doing so, I will lose the only stable and healthy part of my life which is the gym.

So in your opinion, which goal might be a better option to pursue? I am mostly leaning towards the 315 lbs bench but I had already jumped on the weight loss option and I am actually down 15 lbs since January. So my caloric deficit is working. I am also 30 so I feel like as I get older, 315 lbs bench may not be as feasible. Definitely have some decisions to make.

>>76454881 (OP)
you need to cut. You are a lot further from your goal than you realize it took me 10 years to get from 275 to 315. and that was at the peak of my bulk at 200 pounds. That was me at i think 25-26(28 now) basically it is highly unlikely you get to 315 now. Just do an easy cut enjoy being active, eat healthy, lower stress. Stop worrying about numbers take at most 2 minutes get in get out

>>76454902
I see. The only issue I have with cutting is that I don't really know what weight I really should be at. What I do like is being 200+ most likely. I couldn't see myself cutting down to like 180 or whatever.

Bit of a side question, what is the general methodology around bulking and cutting? If you bulk and gain mass and fat and then cut, wouldn't you basically just be losing the muscle mass you obtained? Or is the idea to somehow lose weight in a different ratio or something? Like trying to lose more fat than muscle? But I was always under the impression that the body is going to lose weight within a given ratio no matter what you really do. Is that correct?

>>76454881 (OP)
The first goal is retarded. If you need some sort of badge to publicly certificate how strong you are to others, you don't know real strength. Besides, there are different techniques to help you lift a given weight easier, someone weaker can lift more weight than someone stronger depending on leverage.

>>76454932
This is kind of what I thought also. Only reason it was a goal of mine is because I never felt okay with ever saying "Yeah, I am a strong guy." because I can't quantify what that even means in my head. I just never want to say something fraudulent basically. Like at what point is it totally valid to say "Yes, I am a pretty strong guy." because I have no idea.

>>76454938
The amount of weight shouldn't matter. Weight is a tool, not a prize, all that matters is that it is enough to improve your tissues over time without wearing them down.

>>76454942
I understand what you mean. However if someone asked you "Hey, are you a pretty strong guy?" What would be your response? I would just say yes honestly but in my head it would leave me thinking like "Well actually... am I strong?" People have definitely remarked positive things about my build and stature and strength but its weird how I have a hard time believing them.

>>76454881 (OP)
Why not all 3?

>>76454947
If i cared, I guess i would demonstrate a strength skill like a gymnastics/calisthenics move or a powerlifting move, but the highly competitive moves require a lot of conditioning and most people get injured on the way because of rushing and knowledge gaps. Are you willing to center a lifetime of training and risk your health just to impress some vapid NPCs who will forget about you the next hour? If yes sure, go for it.

>>76454926
you should cut to a reasonable waist size to enhance your v taper. at 6 feet your waist should be around 86 cm at most. stop thinking in weight terms and look at your body. 86 cm is now your peak bulk state measure your body parts homie. See what is lagging and prioritize these areas you can get massive fulfillment doing this you dont need raw numbers

>>76454947
You have a poor self image. You are already in the top 1% of strength. You should be quietly developing a superiority complex by now and lifting/getting more fit for the fun of it and not for outside perception, but something in your life is stopping you from this. I recommend you try to get that 315 as fast as possible and really nail down a true and proven bench press program so you don't end up treadmilling for a decade like homie over here >>76454902. This gives you a very tangible goal that you seem passionate about. At the same time make very real steps towards unfucking the rest of your life up, and also have an honest plan towards doing that. There is no reason you cannot accomplish both of these goals at the same time, but you require real structure and planning in order to do so.

>>76454947
Or maybe you just need to prove it to yourself because you're insecure? I think learning skills for your own confidence is more reasonable.

>>76454979
Thanks. This actually felt like very good advice. I should realistically incorporate goal 3 into the other 2 or something. The rest of my life is messed up. A friend really kind of woke me up to it when he basically said that if the only thing going right for you is the gym, then you gotta sort out your life. Like its not a 'W' to have one functional part of your life.