Thread: Cut / Bulk Diet Confusion

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DP

Thanks DP...thats just what I needed to see

Joe,

Just wanted to add a little insight. If you are going on a "bulk" from a "cut", I have two pieces of advice:

1) Add calories and clean carbs in slowly (maybe just start w/ a carb up on training nights or post workout for beginners).

2) Dont let yourself get too fat (this goes hand in hand with #1, really).

DP's plans are great, BTW! As if I needed to say that?

basically less calories on a cut diet, some people use low carbs, others low fat....etc.
I do better on a low fat diet keeping starches about medium, sugars and fat low, protein high.

Originally posted by mama's boy
Joe,

Just wanted to add a little insight. If you are going on a "bulk" from a "cut", I have two pieces of advice:

1) Add calories and clean carbs in slowly (maybe just start w/ a carb up on training nights or post workout for beginners).

2) Dont let yourself get too fat (this goes hand in hand with #1, really).

DP's plans are great, BTW! As if I needed to say that?

I was just wondering why you suggest to add calories and clean carbs in slowly mama's boy? Does adding calories in more slowly prevent you from putting on body fat?

I was just wondering why you suggest to add calories and clean carbs in slowly mama's boy? Does adding calories in more slowly prevent you from putting on body fat?

It helps!

Assuming you're coming from a low carb cut (like DP's cutting plan) to a higher carb/but still clean bulk (like DP's bulking plan) you'll be altering your metabolism significantly.

Also, many people get caught up in numbers and think they need x number of carbs and x calories a day to grow. Arbitrary formulas like this do not always work, and often a lot less food/carbs are needed to gain mass.

Example: Coming off a cut at 2000 cals a day and under 40 carbs, you do not automatically need 4000 cals a day and 400 carbs to bulk. If one were to do this, they would gain fat. No bones about it.

I find that I really only need an extra 400-500 calories above maintenance, if that, to gain mass. For me- this can mean 1 "carb up" on training nights, or 100 grams of carbs post workout. Going much higher and I risk putting on significant bodyfat (not a goal of mine).

However, the only way I found this out was through experimentation. I added carbs and calories in slowly and found my sticking point.

What do you use to figure out your maintenance level? I have never actually been able to get a straight answer as to the best way to find maintenance.