Bulk/Cut vs. Increase Calories on Lifting Days

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I lost 100lbs last year without being very smart about such things, so I ended up very "skinny-fat". What does everyone think about lifting three days a week and increasing calories those three days (as opposed to long bulk and cut cycles)? Honestly, bulking freaks me out because I can really see myself picking up old habits.

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  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    Or just eat the same every day - unlikely to make the slightest bit of difference to your results.
  • seanoxmix
    seanoxmix Posts: 31 Member
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    Ok.. but will I see results without bulk and cut cycles?
  • CJ_Holmes
    CJ_Holmes Posts: 759 Member
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    If you're worried about bulking unintentionally, eating more on lifting days could be a good way to control your calories. If you eat at maintenance or slightly above, and lift heavy, you may be able to do a nice slow re-comp and get the more muscular body you're going for. I've gone from about 26%-18% body fat over 2 years and weigh the same while looking and feeling quite different. check out the recomp thread!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    seanoxmix wrote: »
    Ok.. but will I see results without bulk and cut cycles?

    Yes - if you train effectively.
    Your training is where it all starts, a "perfect" diet and a rubbish training programme isn't going to get you anywhere.
  • Samoan_Warrior
    Samoan_Warrior Posts: 1 Member
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    For me, slow and steady is the best formula...whether shredding or bulking. Be confident about your goals, know your target macros and support it with good quality calories, have a good training plan/ use proper form, then execute, execute, execute... at the end of the day, you have to experiment and figure out what works best for you.