how to display a specific number of posts and repeat

I am trying to run the loop showing 4 posts, which goes into a bootstrapped tablist, then show the next 4 posts in a tabbed list and so on.

the logic is messing my brain – here is where I am at.

‘<?php
$ingredients = new WP_Query(‘cat=6&showposts=-1’);
$a = query_posts(‘category_name=my_category’);
$result = count($a);
$count = 1;

$i = 1;
while (have_posts() && $i < 5) : the_post(); ?>

<?php if ($i == 1) echo ‘<ul class=”nav nav-tabs” role=”tablist”>’ ?>

<li >” role=”tab” data-toggle=”tab” rel=”bookmark” title=”<?php the_title(); ?>”><?php echo get_the_post_thumbnail( $post_id, array( 100, 100) ) ?>
<?php echo the_title(); ?>

<?php $i++; endwhile; ?>

<?php

echo ‘<div class=”tab-content”>’;
$ingredients = new WP_Query(‘cat=6&showposts=-1’);

while($ingredients->have_posts()) : $ingredients->the_post();
$count++
?>
<div role=”tabpanel” class=”tab-pane fade in ” id=”<?php the_ID(); ?>”><?php the_content(); ?></div>

<?php endwhile; ?>

</div>’

Little bit of a newbie here and just cannot figure out the count.
Any help would be appreciated.