Thread: Bulk Question

Originally Posted by bigsahm21

Hey there first time poster just have a quick question.

If I'm going on a mass-gaining six-meal a day type diet, should I go straight to the 4000 - 4500 cals a day plan or should I start lower at about 3000 and then gradually increase until I get to that point and stay there?

I wouldn't jump the calories too fast. Slowly increase like you said. So you eventually want to take in 4000-4500 cals? That is alot if you are eating "clean" foods. What is your height/weight?

Originally Posted by bigsahm21

Hey there first time poster just have a quick question.

If I'm going on a mass-gaining six-meal a day type diet, should I go straight to the 4000 - 4500 cals a day plan or should I start lower at about 3000 and then gradually increase until I get to that point and stay there?

Just adding a whole heap of calories all at once is not a good idea.

Start at your maintainence then add ~10% more calories. Wait for 2-3 weeks. Assess your gains - if you are not gaining, add another 10% more calories and wait for ~2 weeks. If you are still not gaining, repeat process again.

4000-4500 is quite a bit like you said, I'm well aware of this. But at the same time, I'm 6'5 1/2 and 170 pounds...and I play basketball frequently, something I'll cut down while bulking but won't give up entirely. So I definetely am a beanpole and my metabolism is already high.


Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by Emma-Leigh

Just adding a whole heap of calories all at once is not a good idea.

Start at your maintainence then add ~10% more calories. Wait for 2-3 weeks. Assess your gains - if you are not gaining, add another 10% more calories and wait for ~2 weeks. If you are still not gaining, repeat process again.

So... maintenance is 18 x ... does this equation differ between male/female?

Originally Posted by katt

So... maintenance is 18 x ... does this equation differ between male/female?

Who said maintainence was at 18 x ???

It is **usually** something around 14-16 x but I don't like using these generic formula. It differs for everyone - based on BF%, activity level, genetics, age, diet, diet history etc etc.

Best bet - pick a 'non-stupid' calorie level and monitor yourself closely. If you weight doesn't change over 3-4 weeks - it is likely you have found something close to maintainence.

Whoops... I don't know where I heard it.....

Anyway - I'm right at 14 x currently and staying the same Lean body weight but I can tell my % of BF is going down... So.... I assume to take note on a previous post of yours to increase my calories by 10% every 2 or so weeks until I'm gaining???

Originally Posted by bigsahm21

4000-4500 is quite a bit like you said, I'm well aware of this. But at the same time, I'm 6'5 1/2 and 170 pounds...and I play basketball frequently, something I'll cut down while bulking but won't give up entirely. So I definetely am a beanpole and my metabolism is already high.


Thanks for the feedback.

Dah, 6' 5'' answers my question about the cals.

Even if you are that tall, I bet you cant eat 4500 of clean foods for a long time. At 170 pounds you will notice progress way before that number.

I beg to differ. I'm pretty disciplined as it is...I rarely eat candy/cakes/sweets, and never drink soda...if I eat out it's never fried.

4500 is a ton, but I'm pretty sure it's doable. It's a lot of oatmeal, a lot of PB&J, and a lot of 1% milk, but I love all those foods. Of course I'll have the occasional cheat snack or meal, since I'm a twig and I'm bulking I won't feel too guilty about it...but I hear that sculpting the body is mostly sticking to a heatlhy, consistent diet, which is exactly what I plan on doing.

Originally Posted by katt

Whoops... I don't know where I heard it.....

Anyway - I'm right at 14 x currently and staying the same Lean body weight but I can tell my % of BF is going down... So.... I assume to take note on a previous post of yours to increase my calories by 10% every 2 or so weeks until I'm gaining???

If you want to gain WEIGHT - yes you should increase calories... If you are just looking to increase LEAN MASS - then stick with what you are doing because it is working.

If I were you I would stick with what you are doing.

Ok! I really like this forum... I have certainly learned quite a bit from it!

Originally Posted by bigsahm21

Hey there first time poster just have a quick question.

If I'm going on a mass-gaining six-meal a day type diet, should I go straight to the 4000 - 4500 cals a day plan or should I start lower at about 3000 and then gradually increase until I get to that point and stay there?

Dont eat so many kcals so fast-just keep adding 250-300 a week slowly and gradually, and you will start to see results.
Also are you diong cardio?

Yeah...3 times a week.