Micro-Cuts while Bulking?

keithcw_the_first

I know cutting isn't gaining weight, but I'm asking the question in the context of gaining weight.

Do you guys advocate it? If so, what's a good target rate for how long? Is it appropriate to knock three pounds off in the middle of a longer bulking cycle?

terizius

I'm in for the responses. My body fat hasn't increased too much, but all of it went to my waist/butt. Pants are getting tight and I'm still about 10lbs from where I want to be.

keithcw_the_first

Bump.

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keithcw_the_first

That's true... I guess I was imagining more along the lines of "eat at 500 cal deficit for two or three weeks and then resume bulk" - whatever the scale weight worked out to wouldn't really matter. The goal would be to keep the fat gains in check.

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Wheelhouse15

Although MrM is right, there can be time for mini-cuts or control days if you let your bulk get a little dirty, but since you are going to cut in the end anyway you shouldn't worry too much unless you are gaining a lot more fat than you wanted, but then you should be re-evaluating your entire bulking strategy if that's the case.

keithcw_the_first

So, that brings up a question I've had.

As MrM27 pointed out, three pounds can be gained or loss over the course of a day no problem.

What is the standard for evaluating weight on something as jumpy (data-wise) as a bulk? I'm using weekly averages. Should I just look at it over the course of a month? Is a month too long to wait to find out if my strategy is too dirty or too conservative?

Wheelhouse15

keithcw_the_first wrote: »

So, that brings up a question I've had.

As MrM27 pointed out, three pounds can be gained or loss over the course of a day no problem.

What is the standard for evaluating weight on something as jumpy (data-wise) as a bulk? I'm using weekly averages. Should I just look at it over the course of a month? Is a month too long to wait to find out if my strategy is too dirty or too conservative?

You need to look at trends not single data points so two or three weeks is a better indication than a single week as to where you are headed. Much of what you should be worrying about will not be on the scale but what you can see visually and how your clothes fit. A month shouldn't be too long at all to wait for evaluation of your strategy since you shouldn't be off more than say 100 to 200 calories per day if you were anywhere near reasonable in your targets. That means you should only be an extra pound or two heavier than expected in a month and some of that should be muscle anyway. If you are more than a couple pounds over or under what you expect than you are overshooting or undershooting by quite a bit.

ninerbuff

Micro-cut? If one is getting too fat, they are more than likely eating too much of a surplus, or their training regimen is incorrect for muscle hypertrophy.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

keithcw_the_first

We'll see what the future holds, then. I have MFP set to gain .5 lbs. a week, and I'm getting adjustments from my Fitbit. I'm averaging roughly 3200 calories intake per day, depending on how active I've been. These numbers sound reasonable based on what I've heard from others, but of course each person's set up is going to be slightly different.

That also doesn't take into account errors that are getting introduced by the fitbit over-accounting for activity, measurement errors, etc.

JoRocka

waste of time. If you're gaining to fast- adjust your surplus.

I used to track daily and take a weekly average to see if the scale was going up for reals. Also- it's worth repeating- don't weight yourself at different times of the day after different amounts of food and water have been consumed- keep that as consistent as possible.

keithcw_the_first

Hmmm, okay. I'm not sure if I need to adjust my surplus yet; I think by next week I'll have a better idea. I'm leaning towards "yes" but right now it's too soon to tell I think.

I've been taking a rolling average weight so I've been keeping daily weigh-ins (taken in the morning). Now it sounds like too much data could be a bad thing here?

Or are you saying yes, weekly average is good?

terizius

I think the take-away is to make sure that your weigh-ins are always with the same conditions - for example, I always do my weigh-in and measurements on Sunday morning, after using the bathroom, in my undies.

I'm a huge fan of data - just check out my bulking thread. However, I personally don't think that "daily" measurements are necessary. When bulking, we are looking for anywhere .5 to 2lbs weight gain per week. But, we can fluctuate within that range daily. Therefore, I think weekly trends are the way to go, and I also require two weeks of data before adjusting the program.

terizius

Also, I may be different here, but I don't adjust calorie intake for exercise. I aim to reach my calorie goal on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not I've worked out. It works for me and I don't have to stress about if I really burned X amount of calories doing whatever I do.

keithcw_the_first

terizius wrote: »

Also, I may be different here, but I don't adjust calorie intake for exercise. I aim to reach my calorie goal on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not I've worked out. It works for me and I don't have to stress about if I really burned X amount of calories doing whatever I do.

I guess I thought I had the system beat. What's your daily goal?

terizius

Currently, 3100. I was up near 3300, but gaining 2.5 lbs a week. Dropped to 3000, didn't gain any for two weeks, now I'm up to 3100 and gaining about 1lb a week so far.

JoRocka

terizius wrote: »

Also, I may be different here, but I don't adjust calorie intake for exercise. I aim to reach my calorie goal on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not I've worked out. It works for me and I don't have to stress about if I really burned X amount of calories doing whatever I do.

that's just TDEE- I switched back in October to that method after I stalled out- lots of folks roll that way- it's just easier.

keithcw_the_first

I really appreciate the input, guys. Will continue monitoring and adjusting as necessary.

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jmule24

I would have to agree with @MrM27 on the points he's made. In my experience a cut or bulk are no different when it comes to how I "ramp up / ramp down" my caloric intake. I'm going to start with a small surplus/deficit; give it a few weeks, and then adjust my calories accordingly. For cuts - I want to be able to eat as MUCH food as possible while still losing at a consistent amount. For bulking - I want to be able to eat as MUCH food as possible while still maintaining my leanness.....

As you can see they are both he same....