Women Who Bulk

MaeRenee94
MaeRenee94 Posts: 175
edited October 30 in Food and Nutrition
Fall is far away, yet we know it's going to be coming up before we know it.

For almost all men this means bulk season is right around the corner.
But what about us females?
Do you women bulk through all the colder months? Do you cycle? How do you go about it?

Replies

  • MaeRenee94
    MaeRenee94 Posts: 175
    pump
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I have always lifted to get bigger- but never focused on cutting.

    This year I did... cutting through summer- will cycle back to bulking in the fall- seems like it makes sense. I'm not big on swim suits and ****- I ride a motorcycle through summer mostly- but I mean if I have to wear a swim suit- it'll be in the summer and I might as well look fabulous while I"m at it. :)
  • MaeRenee94
    MaeRenee94 Posts: 175
    I have always lifted to get bigger- but never focused on cutting.

    This year I did... cutting through summer- will cycle back to bulking in the fall- seems like it makes sense. I'm not big on swim suits and ****- I ride a motorcycle through summer mostly- but I mean if I have to wear a swim suit- it'll be in the summer and I might as well look fabulous while I"m at it. :)

    Completely agree, but how do you pump your calories? Like how many? FOr macros do you increase your protein more than carbs and vice cersa
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    still ****ing around.

    Diet isn't my forte really. In the fall I'm going to go back to carbs- right now I'm on a 40/40/20 split and struggling to get enough protein. (my fault for not watching more closely but it's only been 6 weeks- Still tinkering) I'm aiming for a 2-3 month cut.

    I'm hitting carb re-feeds on accident (or subconsciously) about every 10 days which is mostly holding me over from going crazy LOL. I'm not good at really being hungry or at a deficit.

    I don't know by how much I'll jump in the fall... probably going to go to a 40 30/30- maybe? One of the guys I'm working with- he pretty much advocates who cares what it is- just eat it. (he's a dirty bulker- ice cream is his go to) but it makes me break out- so probably just eat regularly for me LOL
  • Squirrel1601
    Squirrel1601 Posts: 39
    Google ‘Reverse Dieting’ good article on MachineMuscle.com
    Gradual increase in calories while slowly reducing cardio is best way to keep a bulk under control.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    I'm planning a bulk in the fall myself. I need to have the weight to lose over Christmas rush (typically lose 10-15 lbs between mid Nov- early Jan), and figure I might as well try to gain some muscle while doing so. Plan to gradually cut the cardio back and ramp up the strength training, and expect my calories to be in the 3500-4000 range, even with minimal cardio.
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
    I am planning my first ever bulking cycle for this Fall/Winter. I am still a bit nervous about it, because it is going to be mentally challenging to gain weight on purpose after always trying to lose or maintain. :ohwell:
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  • pandorakick
    pandorakick Posts: 901 Member
    I was thinking of upping my intake to about 250 kcal above maintenance per day, in order to gain about 2 kg per month. Adding some milk and an extra snack is probably enough to reach that.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    My fiancee DLV147 is going to be bulking in September. We are going to put her on a reverse diet and get her to maintenance then increase her slightly past it. It should be a couple week process then a couple months at a slight surplus.

    You definetly want to make sure you add in your calories slowly.
    This!
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    My first bulk was a learning experience......hopefully it will be better next time.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I came in here expecting something to do with women packing on tons of muscle accidently doing the 30DS etc :laugh: This is better.

    I've done 2 bulks over the past couple of winters, I'm not sure yet if I want to do another. I'm pretty terrible at cutting so I might just stay at maintenance and slowly recomp. I'm happy with the muscle I have, it's not like in the beginning when I hardly had any and really wanted more! That said, I've not ruled it out completely.

    ETA: First one was 16lbs total gain over 5-6 months, 2800 minimum cals a day.
    2nd one was 14lbs gain over 3.5 months, 3000 minimum a day.
    If I do another I'll be aiming for max 10lb gain, a little slower so more of the gains I want rather than fat. I know I gained a decent amount of muscle for the time frame the last few times, I just gained a bit more fat than I wanted too!
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    My fiancee DLV147 is going to be bulking in September. We are going to put her on a reverse diet and get her to maintenance then increase her slightly past it. It should be a couple week process then a couple months at a slight surplus.

    You definetly want to make sure you add in your calories slowly.

    Bulking this fall and this is what I will do and have done for a few previous bulks over the years. I don't know what it is but fall and winter is easier for me to bulk not for the vanity aspect but moreso I'm not outside and more active as I am when it is nice. I also focus on carbs more and just enough protein to reach my goal in BW. I wouldn't go into a bulk eating an extra 500+ cals a day and junk or whatever you want, it will back fire for sure.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I came in here expecting something to do with women packing on tons of muscle accidently doing the 30DS etc :laugh: This is better.

    I wish that really did happen... I'd love to pile on tons of muscle accidentally while doing 30 day shred and eating at a deficit...

    I'm bulking, couldn't give a damn what season it is though. I just want the amount of weight that i can lift to go up and up and up
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    My first bulk was a learning experience......hopefully it will be better next time.

    And what did you learn?
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    My first bulk was a learning experience......hopefully it will be better next time.

    And what did you learn?

    That bulking is a real mind f@ ck
    That you will be stuffed at first then get so darn hungry all the time.
    To up your calories slowly up
    That you will probably cut your bulk short
    That you do not add as much muscles as you think.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I did one in the winter of 2011-2012. Yeah, still haven't successfully cut afterwards but oh well.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BusyLady406/view/so-ya-wanna-bulk-475896

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/940668-ladies-who-have-bulked

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/494961-post-bulking-progress-pictures-female
  • Raima_C
    Raima_C Posts: 2 Member
    I'm doing my first Physique competition in October and then will be in a build mode until the spring. Nutrition is a subjective thing. All of us react differently to different macros. For example, adding a measly 1/4 cup of starchy carbs made a big difference in my muscle gains earlier this year. For that reason I've elected to work with a nutritionist (who competes and trains competitors). He'll help me find that sweet spot where I can put on muscle without too much fat (with "too much" being defined by what my self esteem can handle @ Yanicka1). That being said, I agree with the others who recommend adding calories SLOWLY. One other point, the number on the scale means nothing without a body composition assessment.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    This Fall is going to be my first bulk. Even if you don't have some kind of competition schedule, it makes sense to do it that way - you just naturally want to eat more when it's cold out. And you wear more clothes.

    But other than that, I don't have much of a plan yet, still some time to think about it. I already get 1g/lb of protein and .5g/lb of fat, so I'm thinking it'll have to be mostly carbs... which seems totally weird right now but I'm sure will make sense when I'm doing it.
  • a_vettestingray
    a_vettestingray Posts: 654 Member
    In for bulking. Did a short bulk last winter - Jan to the April to test the waters before doing a long bulk. I put on about 5lb over 12 weeks. Working on cutting the fat as low as I can comfortably cut this summer before I start bulking again in September.

    I upped my calories by 200 and held for a week to moniter weight change. Upped again and held for a week if I did not gain anything, etc.. Goal was about .5-.75 lb/week.

    I can't wait to start again and see how much my lifts increase!
  • Surfingbodi
    Surfingbodi Posts: 161 Member
    Would like to join this group but search only sends me to thread here. How do I get to main forum to join? Ty!
  • Julialawrie
    Julialawrie Posts: 1 Member
    Planning my bulk to start in Sep/Oct, terrified really but want my muscles and my body stronger.
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    I've never bulked and am planning my first one for this winter. I've always recomped, but have lost a lot of muscle from injury and think a bulk will be fun!

    I've been stalking the gaining threads and basically plan to follow everything I've read from Mrm27 and Ndj lol
  • mhasita
    mhasita Posts: 93 Member
    I've been bulking since forever lol...

    Jokes aside, i've been in recomposition mode for 3 years now... I tried to cut this summer but i'm failing because my cheat days undo all of my deficit (i'm petite, so my deficit is really small). I'm going to do a slow bulk on the winter to see if I can bump up my BMR a bit... because the 1200 cal cutting diet is extremely difficult for me to adhere.
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    mhasita wrote: »
    I've been bulking since forever lol...

    Jokes aside, i've been in recomposition mode for 3 years now... I tried to cut this summer but i'm failing because my cheat days undo all of my deficit (i'm petite, so my deficit is really small). I'm going to do a slow bulk on the winter to see if I can bump up my BMR a bit... because the 1200 cal cutting diet is extremely difficult for me to adhere.

    If you've been recomp ing-I'm surprised you need to cut. What were your recomp calories?
  • mhasita
    mhasita Posts: 93 Member
    slaite1 wrote: »
    mhasita wrote: »
    I've been bulking since forever lol...

    Jokes aside, i've been in recomposition mode for 3 years now... I tried to cut this summer but i'm failing because my cheat days undo all of my deficit (i'm petite, so my deficit is really small). I'm going to do a slow bulk on the winter to see if I can bump up my BMR a bit... because the 1200 cal cutting diet is extremely difficult for me to adhere.

    If you've been recomp ing-I'm surprised you need to cut. What were your recomp calories?

    around 1600-1800.... I've lost 4 kilos and 4% Bodyfat (estimated, because I have never got a dexa scan)... I just wanted to cut to have a leaner physique this summer...
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