Does this make ANY sense
elfman5150
Posts: 116 Member
Ok, so as some of you may know I've begun my first ever bulk, which started on Monday of this past week (so (I'm 6 days in). I've upped my caloric intake substantially to 2750 (which I again upped to 2850 yesterday), up from where I was before the bulk which was about 2200. I haven't changed anything else - my exercise and sleep routine is the same as it was before. No additional supplements either, but I'm eating more carbs and a bit more protein so my P/C/F ratio may be different.
Anyway, I'm extremely frustrated because I've managed to LOSE .4 pounds from where I started, which makes absolutely no sense to me. I mean, I'm eating a lot more, and nothing else has changed. My friend tried to tell me that it may take a week or so before my body begins to adjust to the caloric intake by increasing my weight, but I'm not sure I believe that. I want to, but it doesn't seem logical. Is my metabolism just speeding up to compensate for the extra calories? Should I be concerned (i.e. see a doctor?). Or should I just shoot for 3000 now and see if that makes any difference?
Thanks
Anyway, I'm extremely frustrated because I've managed to LOSE .4 pounds from where I started, which makes absolutely no sense to me. I mean, I'm eating a lot more, and nothing else has changed. My friend tried to tell me that it may take a week or so before my body begins to adjust to the caloric intake by increasing my weight, but I'm not sure I believe that. I want to, but it doesn't seem logical. Is my metabolism just speeding up to compensate for the extra calories? Should I be concerned (i.e. see a doctor?). Or should I just shoot for 3000 now and see if that makes any difference?
Thanks
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Replies
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It's only a week. If 2200 was maintenance, you're shooting for a 1 lb gain per week with 2750. Daily fluctuations can be greater than that. You could definitely shoot for 3000 - what's the worst that happens? You might gain a half pound extra that will extend your next cut by half a week. If you start gaining too quickly, you can just drop it back down to 2750.0
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I think 2200 isn't your maintenance!0
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It must have been because that is what I was eating prior to bulking, and my weight was consistent. That's why I'm so confused0
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Just keep adding calories bro and you will get there….add another 250 this week and see what happened..if no gain, add another 150 …and so on and so on ..eventually you will get there..
I started in October and pup calores to 2750 then 2850 then 2950 and finally now I am at 3100 …
even when you start gaining you are gong to have to make slight increments up because your "gain level" will increase with increased weight…
what are your stats - age/height/weight/ ??0 -
Weight loss/gain isn't linear. Just continue and reassess in a couple of weeks.
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For one thing, it's only been a week and natural weight fluctuations can play with the scale...you'll need more time to actually be able to analyze any kind of meaningful trend.
Beyond that, what makes you think your maintenance calories are only 2200 calories and that you're in a surplus at 2700-2800? I'm oldish and my maintenance calories are right around 2800 - 3000 calories per day; I was eating around 3200+ when I did my fall bulk.0 -
^ agree ..I am a 35 year old male and I am gaining .5 pound a week on 3100 and OP is a 25 year old male..so I guess he will need to get to 3300 maybe 3400 to gain ..???0
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Using the online calculator at IIFYM I calculated my TDEE to be around 2300 actually, which must just be lower than reality. I'm about 5'7, 135lbs and I've always been on the lower end of the spectrum which is why I'm trying to gain. I'm 25 years old also0
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I find the calculator on IIFYM.com rather low for me, too (I think it gives me 1900). FTR, I'm very close to your stats, OP (but I'm much older and obvs female), and my TDEE (average based on my intake and personal spreadsheet analysis) is 2200.
It's a good starting place to consider numbers from a calculator, but definitely try upping those calories 100 calories daily each week until you see a gain. We don't all fit the standard formula estimates.0 -
I had the same EXACT thing happen when I upped my calories the first week. 2700/day and lost half a pound!
2700 does seem low for a 5'7" dude but since you only weigh 135 maybe it will be enough to gain. 2700 is my maintnence 5'4 140 F and IIFYM says I should gain 1#\wk at that intake.
The first month water and glycogen will bounce weight around a lot and it really takes a few months to get a good idea of what it takes to gain.
Be patient, be consistent, and don't be afraid to keep upping calories.0 -
It's not the upping calories I'm afraid of at all - it's just the fact that I've increased them a good deal from before and haven't gained any weight. That made me concerned that it might be a GI issue. But from what you all have said so far it sounds like it probably isn't a problem, and I should just increase incrementally until I notice a change.0
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When you start a bulk you will lose a small amount of weight, changing your diet can affect your weight. loosing .4 pounds is not a big deal, I'm on a bulk and I'm at 3700 calories intake.0
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One week. Weight isn't linear. You need to give it several weeks. Making any changes a week in is not a smart move.0
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Maintenance is a range, 2200 was probably the low end for you, may be 2700 your higher end. The calculators are a starting point. I am a female, the same height and weigh a little less than you, bulking at 3200. You can either give it more time or increase. It can take some trial and error but you will eventually see the scale move up0
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Lots of good advice above. Add a couple hundred calories in carbs. You'll see gainz shortly.0
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OP -go to 3000 and see what happens…I mean an extra 250 a day is like one serving of talenti gelato…and everyone has more room for gelato in their life..right, right, right…????? Am I right???????????????? LOL0
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elfman5150 wrote: »Using the online calculator at IIFYM I calculated my TDEE to be around 2300 actually, which must just be lower than reality. I'm about 5'7, 135lbs and I've always been on the lower end of the spectrum which is why I'm trying to gain. I'm 25 years old also
like others have said that sounds low….
I am bulking on 3100 and an 35 year old male..was 176 when started and 183.5 now…
Something tells me that when you get into the you will be eating around 3200 to 3500 to gain .5 per week ….0 -
williams969 wrote: »I find the calculator on IIFYM.com rather low for me, too (I think it gives me 1900). FTR, I'm very close to your stats, OP (but I'm much older and obvs female), and my TDEE (average based on my intake and personal spreadsheet analysis) is 2200.
Me too! I found that when I use TDEE calculators based on sedentary (I log exercise calories separately) they come out at 1900 but I measured mine to be around 2300 based on calories in and exercise measurements.
That said I have also measured weight daily and found that it could fluctuate by up to 1 kg (=2 lbs) .
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When you try something new it's rare you get it spot on first time. Take a bit of time to trial different amounts and macro nutrient ratios until its right .0
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Lots of great advice here. Thanks. Upping the calories to 3000 and I'll reassess in one week's time. And I do love Talenti gelato - especially the Mediterranean mint and double dark chocolate. Yum!
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elfman5150 wrote: »
It takes a bit of patience and trial and error. When I started to bulk it took me a month to actually start seeing the scale move up consistently. I ended up leaning out a bit while I was slowly adding some more calories, but I did gain some muscle while I was leaning down and now I'm adding fairly consistently at about .25-.5lbs/week.
Just keep upping the calories a bit till the trend heads north consistently.0 -
I know this question is asked a lot, but should I be doing any cardio at all? I walk, but that's really been the only cardio I do0
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elfman5150 wrote: »I know this question is asked a lot, but should I be doing any cardio at all? I walk, but that's really been the only cardio I do
If you do any, you MUST eat the calories back. It really just complicates the numbers, and impedes muscle recovery if you're meant to be resting, but some low impact stuff is good for your heart.
I train while I'm bulking, but I do triathlon and don't want to lose my aerobic base. It makes the bulking process much harder and less efficient, and I'm a 44 year old female. It's just going to make it even harder for you.
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elfman5150 wrote: »I know this question is asked a lot, but should I be doing any cardio at all? I walk, but that's really been the only cardio I do
No, don't give up cardio but do eat back the calories. You don't need to do a lot but cardio is for over-all health benefits that you will definitely want as you get older.0 -
That's what I was thinking. My 'cardio' for now is basically walking. I used to swim hours a day when I was younger but I don't do that anymore. I am considering some HIIT or terabit just to get my cardio in quicker (since I hate cardio), maybe twice a week. I'll definitely eat back the calories though0
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