Thread: been bulking

Originally Posted by swick

Hello,

I think I need to understand the benefits of bulking a little better.

I have been bulking for a little bit now and have gained some weight, but, the weight just seems to be fat. Isn't eating more during a bulk phase just going to put on fat? How does it give you anymore muscle?

If it does give you a tad more muscle, wouldn't you lose that when you cut anyway?

I just want to look trim all year round while building muscle at the same time.
Is this possible?

You can do a clean or lean bulk, where you try to minimize the amount of excess fat you gain while adding muscle. You won't gain as much muscle this way, but it will come without as much excess fat. I've been maintaining about 12-13% body fat while lean bulking. I feel this is very reasonable.

You aren't going to lose much muscle, if any, if you do it properly. Diet is paramount in retaining all your muscle while reducing body fat levels. Glutamine and branch chain amino acids can help reduce catabolism when in a caloric deficit.

how many calories are you taking in per lb of weight to keep that bf?

everybody's bodies are different, so there caloric needs are different too
Basically just aim for .5 - 1 pound of weight gain a week and you bodyfat% won't raise muhc, I've gained 10 pounds, and am at 8% body fat.

Originally Posted by swick

how many calories are you taking in per lb of weight to keep that bf?

I eat 3700-4000 calories a day. I weigh 190. So, about 20 per pound. Don't use my numbers though. Figure out your maintenance calories, then increase your caloric intake by 5-10% every two weeks or so until the desired weight gain occurs. Stay at that level until gains taper off, then increase the intake by another 5-10%.

I've been trying to avoid counting calories this whole time but its starting to become obvious that its what I need to do.

Originally Posted by swick

I've been trying to avoid counting calories this whole time but its starting to become obvious that its what I need to do.

Well, if you don't care about excess fat gain, then you can just eat everything in sight. I did something like that when I first started bulking.