Around 10 is considered cutting and 15 for bulking. Ecto and endos are slightly off from those numbers. You will "lose" weight, but its fat. Protein and protein cals only will build muscle. Total cals is largely irrelevant in building muscle, as long as it doesnt dip too low. I can totally relate to the idea of the scale moving down as a negative thing, about 5 years ago when I stubbornly accepted this idea even though it sounded crazy to me, I dropped from 225 to 190. Part of me paniced because of the weight loss, I didnt look nearly as big in the mirror, people were telling me I looked smaller (I hated that), and my cloth got baggier. But all of a sudden, even when bulking veins came out everywhere, I started getting compliments, which was the best feeling ever. It made me extremely confident, I ate better and lifted harder, and I still got stronger, much stronger. I do 3 x 6 with 360lbs and good form on bench and max once at 405. Almost twice my body weight. Now I always say BB is 90% nutrition and 10% lifting. Thats my story if its makes a diff. :) | 
