Bulking and Going over Macros. ?

dnkibble
dnkibble Posts: 30 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've been bulking for the pass 2 months, although most builders recommend bulking for 6-12 months, Im only going until January (4 1/2 months total).

I started out doing a 'dirty' bulk, eating not so healthy foods and wasn't At All counting my cals or macros, Just eating everything I saw and lifting. Now, halfway through I'm realizing that, although I've made some gains, im also putting on a little more fat than i wanted , nothing serious but im a woman (we freak out over tiny things)and i feel more grawgy during work outs. So I've decided to eat CLEAN foods only and track everything ! I need to rev it up so that i can pack on as much muscle as possible by January.

I started my clean eating and tracking yesterday but im confused about macros. I have all of my numbers but i end up going over on fat and protein but it seems impossible to hit these numbers without being under calories, so if i hit my cals im over on macros , if i hit my macros , im under cals! Super confusing. Any advice? Is it ok to go over macros by 20-40 grams?

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    A few things...

    1) clean foods vs dirty foods will have no bearing on how much fat you gain during your bulk. The size of the calorie surplus will.

    2) I looked back at yoru diary, and if Monday was indicitive of what you're asking about... you're over on fats and protein (which is fine), but under on carbs. That's why you're under on total cals.

    3) Yes, going over is more than fine, especially on fat and protein, especially while you're bulking.
  • stt43
    stt43 Posts: 487
    Macro numbers are a minimum target - once you hit them it doesn't matter what else you eat to get the rest of your calories.
    If you want to take in less protein or fat for some reason, then swap what you're eating so that you consume more carbs instead, giving you more energy for the gym.
  • dnkibble
    dnkibble Posts: 30 Member
    Hey, thanks for your help!

    To answer your question tho, I was only concerned about the 'dirty' bulking because it seemed to be harder for me to stay on track while eating junky foods, and, I felt like crap compared to when I eat more healthy 'clean' foods.

    And No, on Monday i hadn't had my numbers yet so i was just off that day all together.

    Ill keep in mind that as long as I hit my macros and cals, i can go over my macros a little. Thanks again!
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    A few things...

    1) clean foods vs dirty foods will have no bearing on how much fat you gain during your bulk. The size of the calorie surplus will.

    2) I looked back at yoru diary, and if Monday was indicitive of what you're asking about... you're over on fats and protein (which is fine), but under on carbs. That's why you're under on total cals.

    3) Yes, going over is more than fine, especially on fat and protein, especially while you're bulking.

    QFT, hammering it home.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I was only concerned about the 'dirty' bulking because it seemed to be harder for me to stay on track while eating junky foods, and, I felt like crap compared to when I eat more healthy 'clean' foods.

    That's not uncommon. Sounds like keeping things clean might be a better option for you, at least for now.

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