bulking friends!

Nolan1009

I've been on a bulk since Thanksgiving, love bulking through the holidays Up about 2-3 lbs but I think most of that is water/glycogen stores from my initial carb/calorie increase bc I've been stable-ish since then. Slowly creeping up a 1/2 lb over the past 2 weeks which is what I want All my lifts are way up and my pull-up count is up despite weighing more. That's my marker for muscle gains versus fat, if my bodyweight exercises improve while my weight goes up I must be doing something right Not sure how long I'm bulking for yet but I'm very happy with the results so far.

civilizedworm

Nolan1009 wrote: »

I've been on a bulk since Thanksgiving, love bulking through the holidays Up about 2-3 lbs but I think most of that is water/glycogen stores from my initial carb/calorie increase bc I've been stable-ish since then. Slowly creeping up a 1/2 lb over the past 2 weeks which is what I want All my lifts are way up and my pull-up count is up despite weighing more. That's my marker for muscle gains versus fat, if my bodyweight exercises improve while my weight goes up I must be doing something right Not sure how long I'm bulking for yet but I'm very happy with the results so far.

Very cool!

TFaustino67

Nolan1009 wrote: »

I've been on a bulk since Thanksgiving, love bulking through the holidays Up about 2-3 lbs but I think most of that is water/glycogen stores from my initial carb/calorie increase bc I've been stable-ish since then. Slowly creeping up a 1/2 lb over the past 2 weeks which is what I want All my lifts are way up and my pull-up count is up despite weighing more. That's my marker for muscle gains versus fat, if my bodyweight exercises improve while my weight goes up I must be doing something right Not sure how long I'm bulking for yet but I'm very happy with the results so far.

am so jealous of 'bulkers' right now you have no idea...cutting suxs so bad. period.

Nolan1009

Thanks civilizedworm . This is my first time actually being okay with my weight going up. I've wanted to build muscle before but was to afraid to eat enough plus I run competitively. I prob got some newb gains in the beginning cause I did add muscle while losing weight but have pretty much maintained since then. I'm recovering from running injury so taking advantage of the lack of cardio, enjoying my lifting/strength gains so much I'm not even looking forward to running again lol. TFaustino67- I think everyone should plan a bulk period during the holidays, it's amazing, no guilt just enjoy and know the extra calories are being put to good use

civilizedworm

Nolan1009 wrote: »

Thanks civilizedworm . This is my first time actually being okay with my weight going up. I've wanted to build muscle before but was to afraid to eat enough plus I run competitively. I prob got some newb gains in the beginning cause I did add muscle while losing weight but have pretty much maintained since then. I'm recovering from running injury so taking advantage of the lack of cardio, enjoying my lifting/strength gains so much I'm not even looking forward to running again lol.

Hey sorry to hear about your injury, but look at you now, you are loving strength training, the gains you make, and the weekly PRs which keep you coming back for more. Hopefully you'll find a way to incorporate strength training once your hooves are healed.

Once winter settles in, I only run to the gym.

Nolan1009

Thanks, I still lift when I'm running but it's difficult to gain any strength (or muscle) at 60-80 mpw (I was running that much specifically to hit some lofty race PRs), I was mostly just maintaining what strength I had. But lifting is what helped me get much faster in the first place so it's always part of my training. I don't miss running right now, the only thing I miss is doing interval sprints on the treadmill, those give me the biggest endorphin rush When I get back to it I'm going to try and find a better balance between mileage and strength. For now though I'm very happy staying inside and having much greater intensity w/my lifts, today I found my squat depth has improved immensely without running making me all stiff lol

civilizedworm

Nolan1009 wrote: »

Thanks, I still lift when I'm running but it's difficult to gain any strength (or muscle) at 60-80 mpw (I was running that much specifically to hit some lofty race PRs), I was mostly just maintaining what strength I had. But lifting is what helped me get much faster in the first place so it's always part of my training. I don't miss running right now, the only thing I miss is doing interval sprints on the treadmill, those give me the biggest endorphin rush When I get back to it I'm going to try and find a better balance between mileage and strength. For now though I'm very happy staying inside and having much greater intensity w/my lifts, today I found my squat depth has improved immensely without running making me all stiff lol

It's all about balance isn't it? I'm not much of runner, but man does fitness keeps me happy.

civilizedworm

Well I did my numbers today and after roughly 6 to 8 weeks bulking I clock in at 200 lbs and 11.1% bf (Previously 196 lbs and 10.2% bf) of all American, Midwest-Bred, Corn-Fed, Male.

My GW is to hit 205 by the end of March and I guess this is a lean bulk.

Think I should tweak anything? Or full-speed ahead?

aylajane

After 25+ years of constantly trying to lose weight, I *finally* get to gain on purpose! My first bulk! I am still working through how much to eat (avg is 2200 for awhile just to get used to eating more, then upping it prob after new years), and I plan on a minimum of 6 months. I want this to be slow so I dont chicken out, and am planning regular DEXA scans to keep my brain soothed that my body fat % isnt going to jump back up to 40 anytime soon

Whats really killing me is that the more I eat, the more energy I have and the more calories I naturally burn because I just cannot freaking sit down. I started running and all this food and carbs just make me itch to get on there and go! Every time I up my calories by 100, I burn 150 more that day I think just fidgeting!! FOOD=CALORIES=ENERGY -- my favorite math equation... I like energy

Kestrelwings

I have just had to scale back slightly from 2,400-2,500 plus eat-back calories for exercise, to 2,300 + exercise as gain was too fast, but hopefully things will settle now. I still do cardio, partly because it is a vital stress reliever for me & partly because it allows me to eat more. No idea what my BF is, but when it was measured a while back it was in the low 20's

I do have loads more energy since starting the bulk. Not seen as much progress with lifts as I would like, but it is early days. :-)

drepublic

BRUHH!!!!

NowyTends

After 10 months of Cutting 27.5kg (60 or so freedom units) i've started my first ever bulk and all i have to say so far is... "Sooooo....mucccchh....foooood... : -/!!!"