Bulking Log (cmeirun)
cmeiron
Posts: 1,599 Member
Looking back on my numbers it seems that I've been unofficially bulking since about mid-August when I raised my intake goal to 2500 (in reality, though, between holiday and other extra snacking my average intake has been closer to 2700!). Other than intake and weights I haven't been doing any other measurements.
Today marks my first "official" bulk check-in and the start of a new lifting cycle. I've set my intake goal at 2550 (min 150P, min 70F, carbs whatevs). I realize I'll probably go over by a lot some days, so I'm keeping it there rather than setting at 2700.
So here we go! These are intake stats from the past week (averages):
Intake
Cals: 2715.5 (since the fall arrived I have been lapsing more often into nights where I overeat delicious, delicious carbs; I will have to watch this if I gain too quickly)
Carbs: 316.14
Fats: 70.86
Protein: 148.86
Fibre: 34.71
Average weight: 132.00 My goal for this point was 131.5
I'll be doing measurements every two weeks. I suck at measuring accurately :laugh: so I'm not sure how valuable this will be lol.
Measurements
Bust: 33.5"
Chest/strapline: 30.5 "
Waist: 29"
Belly Button: 32.5"
Biceps (R/L): 11" / 10 7/8"
Thighs (R/L): 19" / 19 1/8"
Photos
I can see a slight loss of upper body definition since I last took photos 5 weeks ago, and am generally feeling a tad fluffier
Today marks my first "official" bulk check-in and the start of a new lifting cycle. I've set my intake goal at 2550 (min 150P, min 70F, carbs whatevs). I realize I'll probably go over by a lot some days, so I'm keeping it there rather than setting at 2700.
So here we go! These are intake stats from the past week (averages):
Intake
Cals: 2715.5 (since the fall arrived I have been lapsing more often into nights where I overeat delicious, delicious carbs; I will have to watch this if I gain too quickly)
Carbs: 316.14
Fats: 70.86
Protein: 148.86
Fibre: 34.71
Average weight: 132.00 My goal for this point was 131.5
I'll be doing measurements every two weeks. I suck at measuring accurately :laugh: so I'm not sure how valuable this will be lol.
Measurements
Bust: 33.5"
Chest/strapline: 30.5 "
Waist: 29"
Belly Button: 32.5"
Biceps (R/L): 11" / 10 7/8"
Thighs (R/L): 19" / 19 1/8"
Photos
I can see a slight loss of upper body definition since I last took photos 5 weeks ago, and am generally feeling a tad fluffier
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Replies
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Looking good. I feel like I suck at measurements too, so you are not alone there. Can't wait to see your progress.0
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Great starting point! How long of a bulk are you planning? What's your goal to gain?0
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Wow, if my arms after can look like your arms before,I will be very happy!0
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Great starting point! How long of a bulk are you planning? What's your goal to gain?
Right now I'm planning to go to the end of January, and hope to gain 10 lbs in that time (end weight 140 lbs)Wow, if my arms after can look like your arms before,I will be very happy!
Thank you! I'm really happy with how they've shaped up this year. First time in my life I've had noteworthy visible muscles!!!0 -
You look fantastic! I can't wait to watch your bulking progress!0
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Tagging this0
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In to follow! Your guns makes my heart pitter patter!!!0
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Week 2 Log:
Nutrition (averages)
Calories - 2667
Carbs - 346g
Fat - 77g
Protein - 159g
Fibre - 33g
*I didn't track on Monday: it was Thanksgiving. I ate like a boss, so actual weekly average is probably closer to 2800-2900 I'm guessing :P
Average Weight
= 131.8
Goal for this point: 132
Right on track here. My weight went down quite a bit early in the week but the last few days it's bounced up, so evens out. Next week will probably be high (TOM) so I'll probably have to wait 2 more weeks to get an accurate read. Still can see my abs a bit :P
Fitness
Lifting sessions are on track: completed Week 2 Day 1 this morning (100% load day). It sort of kicked my *kitten*. Need more sleep. Doing very little cardio (<---lazy bish lol) but on my feet lots.0 -
Lifting sessions are on track: completed Week 2 Day 1 this morning (100% load day). It sort of kicked my *kitten*. Need more sleep. Doing very little cardio (<---lazy bish lol) but on my feet lots.
I'm with you on the sleep...I average 5.5 hours a night0 -
How's the bulk going?0
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Super-over due update!
Week...um...oh heck, I've lost count
Today I started my 8th cycle of my lifting program (All Pro beginner) so it seemed like a good day to check in.
Current intake - about 2400-2500. I have not been tracking very carefully. I decided that this bulk was a nice time to loosen the reins a bit regarding tracking. I was getting a little OCD about it, and the reality is that I know how much and what to eat in a day to get in a pretty close margin of what I should be taking in. There will be plenty of time to get really strict about it post-bulk
Current weight is about 135-135.5, so about the halfway point (goal is 140). I'm maybe half a pound ahead of schedule but that's not a big deal. I am definitely fluffier. Boobs and hips/tummy are making a reappearance. I'm trying to ignore it so as to preserve my sanity - these are the areas I REALLY don't want bigger and I was pretty happy with my new smaller chest :grumble: However, it's winter, my old jeans from last winter fit more than fine (still need a belt) and layered shirts hide the pudge.
I took some measurements today, and I'm notoriously awful at it, but it looks like I'm up about half an inch on each biceps and an inch each thigh. TIme will tell how much is buff and how much is fluff, but I SWEAR I feel/look more muscular at this point, especially upper body (chest, bis, shoulders). So that also keeps me sane and not focused on the fluffliness.
As for the lifting, since today marked the start of a new cycle, I upped a bunch of my lifts, and I have to say I'm really freaking happy with the 70 lb bench presses and 120 lb SLDLs :drinker: Considering back in February I started at 30 and 50 lbs, respectively, I'd say that's respectable progress :bigsmile: I'm still doing basically no cardio other than brisk dog-walking but I figure that'll work to my advantage come time to cut.
So, all's good for now! Next cycle I'm going to post new pictures; my weight will be approximately the same as it was when I started lifting, there are some pretty major changes in my physique!0 -
Sounds like you're doing fantastic! Good for you! Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see the comparison photos.0
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Good to hear you're doing well hon!0
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You're doing great!0
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WTF my weight has been steadily dropping all week. I'm down to 133 today.
I haven't changed anything exercise or food-wise. ANNOYING. I'm going to just wait it out and see what next week brings, but has anybody else had this happen?
On the plus side...
<---gunz.0 -
Looking good!
Regarding dropping weight: I wish! It's only piling up on me... I'm having big trouble sticking to "only" 2300 kcal per day. That will be hell when it's time to cut....0 -
You got a license for those things??
No issue with me losing weight right now. I only seem to be gaining and I don't even understand that since I thought I was at maintenance.0 -
Just checking in to whinge because I noticed a belly roll poking over my workout shorts today :sad: Also a bra I couldn't wear for months kinda-sorta fits. Well, it's wearable anyways. :sad: I DON'T WANT THESE BOOBS BACK. Also, hello hips. Uuuuugggghhhh. (Can you tell I'm feeling hormonal and fat?) I'm glad I can ***** and moan here among people who are in the same boat and get it.
Anyways, I've been tracking this week, keeping intake at about 2600. Weight is bouncing around between 133.5 and 134. We'll see where this goes by the end of next week. I'm going to stay the course even if my boobs make me want to cry. :frown:0 -
Hang in there,you're doing great.
I gain from the bottom up,so hello saddlebags. My boobs are the first to go and last to reappear.
Your pic looks great !!!0 -
I hear ya on the belly roll thing.... :grumble:0
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My weight is also bouncing around and boobs are getting fuller...which stinks, but I'll lose them again soon enough LOL0
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Just keep in mind you are doing it on purpose and for a reason. You're building some fantastic muscle and when you're all done you will feel fantastic!0
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Ok, it's been a week back on tracking, so for sure getting 2600/day and hitting macros. Weight seems to be creeping back up to where it's supposed to be, bouncing between 134 and 135.5. Hopefully I'll get in the 136ish zone in the next week or two at this rate but I'm not opposed to raising calories a little more if I get stuck here again. I am also feeling less mopey about the fatness than I was a few days ago. (Still fat, just less mopey about it lol) 0
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I really wish I had your TDEE... Also feeling fat here 0
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So glad things are turning around!0
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We're all pretty much in the same boat. I'm seeing common themes in almost every journal!0
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Decided today to up my calories just a smidge to 2650. We'll see if that gets the gains going up a little faster. Suddenly the end of January is pretty close and I've still got 4ish lbs I want to put on! It's weird - I never thought I'd say this, but 2600+/day is a lot of freaking food. I'm pretty much never hungry anymore and finding myself packing in a ton of calories late in the day to catch up. I'm starting to think cutting won't be so awful 0
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I know, right?! I'm never hungry anymore either!0
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So my weight shot up this week to about 138-139 on average. I suspect a chunk of that is water weight because Christmas. And carbs. lol.
Anyways, I took some progress pics today and was really excited to compare them to photos I took last January, just before I started lifting weights, after having lost about 35 lbs doing only cardio (and not eating enough). So here is a before and after - almost the same weight, but MAN is there ever a difference in body composition! LOVE IT.
Hopefully the weight gain stabilizes a little after the holidays; I'm nearly at the 140 goal I set for myself, but I'm willing to go a little higher as long as I can still squeeze into my jeans, lol. I'd really like to carry this through 'till the end of January, especially since I'm finally going to have access to a proper bar for my lifting! I'm looking forward to the challenge of switching things up from the dumbbells I've been using 0 -
I see lats and delts and biceps. Amazing progress! You look fab.0
