Having a hard time on my first bulk

iglazan

Hey guys. I just finished my first real cut, took about 5-6 months at a very slight deficit (2100 calories) and light cardio. I got down to 12%~ body fat and was very happy with the results. My goal is now to bulk to around 15% and then cut back to where I was and repeat. That being said, I'm 3 days into bulking at a slight surplus (2500 calories) and I'm seriously struggling. In 3 days at this tiny surplus, I've put on about 6 pounds, I'm constantly full and always feeling pretty gross in general. I know bulking is supposed to be more enjoyable but I'm not having a great time with it and I really don't think a 400 calorie difference should be having this effect on my weight so quickly. Any advice on what I could be doing wrong or how to just get through it? This is my first bulk. Thanks!

watts6151

Probably just the extra carbs more stored glycogen
Your weight will probably stabilise now and your weight will slowly increase from now

quiksylver296

watts6151 wrote: »

Probably just the extra carbs more stored glycogen
Your weight will probably stabilise now and your weight will slowly increase from now

That ^^

IronIsMyTherapy

I dont like to go from a deficit straight into a surplus. Do some research on reverse dieting

ninerbuff

iglazan wrote: »

Hey guys. I just finished my first real cut, took about 5-6 months at a very slight deficit (2100 calories) and light cardio. I got down to 12%~ body fat and was very happy with the results. My goal is now to bulk to around 15% and then cut back to where I was and repeat. That being said, I'm 3 days into bulking at a slight surplus (2500 calories) and I'm seriously struggling. In 3 days at this tiny surplus, I've put on about 6 pounds, I'm constantly full and always feeling pretty gross in general. I know bulking is supposed to be more enjoyable but I'm not having a great time with it and I really don't think a 400 calorie difference should be having this effect on my weight so quickly. Any advice on what I could be doing wrong or how to just get through it? This is my first bulk. Thanks!

Feeling full is part of bulking. You're in surplus so that's expected. If you don't care about calories as much and don't want to feel as full, eat foods that are more calorie dense. Honestly, I ate pizza and burgers on my first bulk. Yeah I added fat, but that's with any bulk anyway. Bulking WILL NOT be a fat free process. Well maybe unless you're doing PED's at the same time.




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BahstenB10

iglazan wrote: »

Hey guys. I just finished my first real cut, took about 5-6 months at a very slight deficit (2100 calories) and light cardio. I got down to 12%~ body fat and was very happy with the results. My goal is now to bulk to around 15% and then cut back to where I was and repeat. That being said, I'm 3 days into bulking at a slight surplus (2500 calories) and I'm seriously struggling. In 3 days at this tiny surplus, I've put on about 6 pounds, I'm constantly full and always feeling pretty gross in general. I know bulking is supposed to be more enjoyable but I'm not having a great time with it and I really don't think a 400 calorie difference should be having this effect on my weight so quickly. Any advice on what I could be doing wrong or how to just get through it? This is my first bulk. Thanks!

What about a gainer? Drinking my calories does nothing for me so therefore, it would ease my feeling of being miserable and full.

iglazan

@IronIsMyTherapy I figured since it was only a 400 calorie deficit it wouldn't matter that much but that's definitely an option to look into in the future.

iglazan

@ninerbuff I'm trying to lean bulk as much as possible and sticking to clean foods as much as possible, just to make my next cut a little easier

iglazan

@watts6151 I think you're right, today has been a lot easier already. I'm assuming the extra carbs also held in a lot of water weight and I feel a lot less bloated now

iglazan

@BahstenB10 I personally prefer to get my macros from real foods when possible, but if I continue to struggle that's definitely a good option to look into

iglazan

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

ninerbuff

iglazan wrote: »

@ninerbuff I'm trying to lean bulk as much as possible and sticking to clean foods as much as possible, just to make my next cut a little easier

No such thing. The issue with getting too fat when you bulk is eating TOO many calories. If your surplus is slight, you won't gain that much fat regardless of the source as long as you're getting in enough protein and carbs. The "clean" foods is what is making you feel bloated. I know, I've done this when I used to compete back in the day. If you look at elite athletes that burn a lot of calories, I can PROMISE you they don't eat clean. Because if they did, they'd feel full all the time and that would affect their performance.
Again, find some foods that are calorie dense, but not too fiberous if bloating is your issue.


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

sardelsa

ninerbuff wrote: »

iglazan wrote: »

@ninerbuff I'm trying to lean bulk as much as possible and sticking to clean foods as much as possible, just to make my next cut a little easier

No such thing. The issue with getting too fat when you bulk is eating TOO many calories. If your surplus is slight, you won't gain that much fat regardless of the source as long as you're getting in enough protein and carbs. The "clean" foods is what is making you feel bloated. I know, I've done this when I used to compete back in the day. If you look at elite athletes that burn a lot of calories, I can PROMISE you they don't eat clean. Because if they did, they'd feel full all the time and that would affect their performance.
Again, find some foods that are calorie dense, but not too fiberous if bloating is your issue.


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

Ahhh yes!! This is so perfectly said and the exact reason why I can't eat "clean" during my bulks. I hate hate more than anything feeling ultra full and bloated and I feel like I ate so much (when I really didn't) and I end up undereating. Then my training suffers.