Is It Enough?

[LrdViperScrpion]

I have just recently started trying a slightly modified version of the offseason diet gopro posted earlier, in hopes I can gain some friggin mass. Right now I am consuming about 2500 calories a day and cycling protein and carbs between weekdays and weekends.

I wanted to start a cardio program of at least 3 days a week in hopes I could remain lean during this diet, and because whenever I regularly do cardio I feel I have far more energy than normally (Also, a major reason I am starting is to help motivate my brother to lose weight). I was wondering if 2500 calories is enough to allow me to gain mass while doing cardio though? Again, I am almost 18, 130-135 pounds, fairily muscular, and about 5'5" - 5'6".

Thanks.

 

[LrdViperScrpion]

anyone?

 

[w8lifter]

Sorry, I thought you were asking for GP!

At your size, yes, I think 2500 would be enough even w/ the cardio, but, it really depends on your metabolism.

Why don't you start at that and monitor your weight, obviously add more if you are dropping or maintaining your weight. How will you be cycling the carbs? Because the amt of glycogen you have stored will affect your scale weight.

 

[LrdViperScrpion]

I plan to elevate carbs and lower protein over the weekends, much in the same way gopro suggested on his post.

 

[Showdown]

I haven't read Gopro's post, but in my opinion you aren't seeing the forest through the trees.

At 18, your hormones are jumpin'! You need to lift with crazy intensity and keep the cardio to 2-3 times a week. But at 130 lbs., let's focus on placing some mass on your frame!

Forget about the protein/carb cycling for a moment. If you want mass, you have to eat for mass. The only time I'd recommend protein/carb cycling or even a low-carb diet for your age is if you are 1. already overweight or 2. scared shitless of getting an ounce of fat on your frame. I don't think you need to worry about either of these scenarios.

(When I recommend carbs, I mean those great, slow-burning carbs that fuel your already-high metabolism without creating an insulin spike.)

Your calories shouldn't go below 3500. I'm assuming you're a ecto by your current weight, and I'm also assuming (don't be offended) that you haven't hit your growing spurt yet. This makes you a hard-hard gainer. The good news: you can eat like an absolute pig without gaining much fat (as long as the gym intensity is there).

My advice? Bump your calories up to 3700 and eat, eat, eat. Keep your split at around 40/35/25 or 40/40/20. If you don't see some changes after 5 weeks, bump your calories up to 4200.

 

[LrdViperScrpion]

Actually I am a little frightened to put on any fat at the moment since it is summer and I already have some fat on my frame.

As far as my body type, I am unable to determine whether I am a mesomorph or an ectomorph that just really let himself go. This is due to the fact that the food I ate was REALLY shitty up until about the beginning of 9th grade, (I'm in the summer before 12th now), and still ate some junk up to about 11th grade. While it can be difficult for me to put on weight, I still managed to, due to the fact that I not only ate really crappy food, but in pretty great excess. I have lost a lot of the fat I put on now though, and eat pretty much nothing other than the cleanest of foods now though.

I think I have reached my growth spurt as I have pretty much always been short, and my doctor told me that I shouldn't expect to grow any taller than 5'6" (I am currently somewhere between 5'5" and 5'6")

Finally, if I were to up my calories to something around 3700, I don't have so much a problem eating that much, but how am I gonna afford that much food, my dad already gets mad at me for how much I eat already. How do you guys afford eating so much? And can I still use orange juice with my protein shakes before and after working out, or is oj no good because it's not slow-burning?

 

[w8lifter]

Orange juice is not slow burning, it actually has a lot of sugar in it.

Tuna, eggs & cottage cheese are relatively cheap sources of protein...but you may have to get a job j/k....sort of.....it really does sort of balance out when you're eating clean because you're not buying junk/processed foods.

 

[LrdViperScrpion]

I know the orange juice is slow burning, and pretty much pure sugar, but would that be okay for before and after workout so my body quickly has energy to work with, plus the oj tastes so good.

 

[LrdViperScrpion]

Originally posted by LrdViperScrpion
I know the orange juice is slow burning,

NOT slow burning !!! AHHHH!!!