What to expect the first week of a bulk?

Willbenchforcupcakes

I'm starting my first bulk in over a decade (first one was to regain lost muscle due to a severe knee injury). Any ideas on what I can expect? I am expecting to see the scale go up a fair bit as my body completely replenishes glycogen stores. Also hoping to have my appetite increase ... it's been hard enough to eat at TDEE for the last several weeks.

Willbenchforcupcakes

Bump

soysauce6626

Expect 2-4 pounds initial weight gain in the first week. Expect your gym performance to increase and energy level to increase as well. Bulking is so much fun.

Ainar

Some weight increase, bloating, water retention, looking less lean and a little fatter, what obviously is illusion. That's pretty much all I think when it comes to looks and weight. I personally never experience increase in appetite but I suppose other people might find it otherwise.

phatguerilla

I would not expect your appetite to go up initially especially if you've been feeling full most of the time eating at tdee. Not saying you need to start pounding pizza but this is one reason why people follow 'dirty bulks', more calories in a smaller space is easier to eat.
fwiw I would start adding just 2-300 extra calories a day and see what changes happen the scale every two weeks, although you can expect some fast weight gain at first for the reasons you outlined, slow and steady wins the race.

KarenJanine

You might experience a little bloating due to water retention but this shouldn't be dramatic, especially as you say you've already been eating at TDEE for a few weeks so it's not going to be a massive calorie increase.

Your appetite may increase as you get accustomed to eating more but this varies from person to person.

Willbenchforcupcakes

Expect 2-4 pounds initial weight gain in the first week. Expect your gym performance to increase and energy level to increase as well. Bulking is so much fun.

Okay, that's about what I was expecting in terms of weight gain.
I am looking so forward to increasing my performance - I'm already a beast in the gym - I have never seen another woman lift as much as me, and chest and overhead press are the only lifts where the men outlift me, both in terms of raw weight and as a percentage of body weight.

I'm hoping my appetite goes up so I can keep as much running in my routine as possible. Currently at 30-40k a week, and love what it does for my mental outlook. Don't want to drop it unless I have to.