How long is your bulk?
karinefitness
Posts: 336 Member
Just wondering... I started mine in January and although I'd love to cut for summer it isn't happening, since I want to bulk for a solid 7-8 months before cutting (hoping I made gains). I might actually start cutting or maintaining once I get back from Europe in Oct-Nov. for a December vacation... and then start a mini bulk when I come back and until summer 2015, lol. Or I might just bulk non-stop until march 2015. Is that too much?! Although I have to say I'm not sure how I'll react once I get at 130 pounds, it's a mental thing for me... 
We'll see, I'm not there yet.
Just wondering how long does a bulk usually last. It's my first one. And my pants are getting smaller and smaller (!!) already
We'll see, I'm not there yet.Just wondering how long does a bulk usually last. It's my first one. And my pants are getting smaller and smaller (!!) already
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They can be anywhere from 6 weeks to like 9 months (or higher I suppose) but the longer you bulk the longer you will be cutting.
Waldo has said he is preferring shorter bulks- because it makes the impact better.
I personally wouldn't go for more than 6 months- and I was on the verge of cutting mine short to 4 months- and now I'm back to 5-6. I will absolutely go no longer. I'm already busting out of my clothes and MISERABLE with the weight I've put on thus far.
The shorter the bulk- the dirty game you play- the longer the bulk- the more metered and meticulous it will be. I actually found I did really well playing 'fast and loose' with the calories and saw some great stuff happening vs being SPOT on all the time.
But I can tell- it's catching up- I'm about 7-10 lbs from where I started and I feel like I'm pregnant because I've wound up with weird places of extra fat. it's weird- not making me feel fabulous- but my arms and quads and butt look amazing so I can only complain but so much
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I started mine with an initial goal of 4 months, but adjusted that to 6 months. However after 5 months I just felt too fat and called it quits. In that period of 21 weeks I gained a total of 6 kg. I did see some wonderful strength gains, will see whether I also gained muscle mass.0
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I personally bulked for about 5 months... I don't think I could have handled it any longer! None of my clothes fit me anymore and I was miserable. That said... I've been trying to cut for a month now and have been basically spinning my wheels. So, I'd keep in mind the weight loss bit after, it's HARD! Harder than I expected! Pre bulk it was pretty easy for me to lose weight and idk why but I feel like I'm struggling now.0
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Being that this is my 4th, I personally won't and never have gone longer than 4 mths. That's about all I can handle! There's no right or wrong here, one must be realistic though in the mental game and that the longer the bulk, the longer the cut. I know who Jo is referring to and while that is what is working for him and his goals, 8 wk bulks and 2 wk cuts would not work for me. Personally I've seen better results, both male and female, that have done longer bulks; no disrespect intended.0
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20 weeks. Original plan was 16 weeks, but kept going because I didn't really start making measurable gains until the end.0
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Being that this is my 4th, I personally won't and never have gone longer than 4 mths. That's about all I can handle! There's no right or wrong here, one must be realistic though in the mental game and that the longer the bulk, the longer the cut. I know who Jo is referring to and while that is what is working for him and his goals, 8 wk bulks and 2 wk cuts would not work for me. Personally I've seen better results, both male and female, that have done longer bulks; no disrespect intended.
no disrespect here- just sharing other tid bits- I just know that works for him. I can see the advantage- but I can see disadvantages too.
I think he's in the neighbor hood of 4 bulks too- so whatever it is- it's working for him -he definitely gets results.
I think the nice thing about the longer bulks- is because it's more metered. It takes me about 3-4 weeks to iron out a new eating plan- I don't just go - Oh today is maintenance and I nail it- I seem to go up and down drastically for about two weeks- and then the 3rd or 4th week it becomes more regulated.
So having that extra time is helpful.
I know for me - 4-5 is feeling/looking like a good time frame- I'm still going to push for 6 because of the new program- and I want it- but I'm honestly not happy about it. I feel awful about my self at work- I'm constantly fussing with my clothing and am (for me) unusually self conscious about things where things are on my body and what they are doing.0 -
I'm done this week and I've technically been bulking for 21 weeks. But…it did take me almost 4 weeks to find my true surplus amount as I didn't steadily gain until that point.
I'm ready to cut. I can see and feel the extra fat and I'm not liking it anymore. But I loved bulking and will definitely be doing another next fall/winter.0 -
But I can tell- it's catching up- I'm about 7-10 lbs from where I started and I feel like I'm pregnant because I've wound up with weird places of extra fat. it's weird- not making me feel fabulous- but my arms and quads and butt look amazing so I can only complain but so much
Yeah, same here. I like my legs and my glutes... my arms and shoulders as well, but my stomach... I don't like it very much.
I might bulk for anywhere between 4 and 6 months, then cut to see the results, and then just bulk again. It's a learning process I guess. I have no clue how much muscle will be left once I cut. Maybe it won't be enough.
That would put me in a cut in may/june... We'll see I'm already up 4-5 pounds but I'm sure most of it is water weight, no muscle 
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I'm done this week and I've technically been bulking for 21 weeks. But…it did take me almost 4 weeks to find my true surplus amount as I didn't steadily gain until that point.
I'm ready to cut. I can see and feel the extra fat and I'm not liking it anymore. But I loved bulking and will definitely be doing another next fall/winter.
This is my first time bulking and it also took me a while to find my true surplus. So I'm only counting it from the time I actually started gaining weight. It's only been 3.5 weeks since then and I plan to go a minimum of 12. If I can stand to do it longer I will, but 12 weeks is my bare minimum.0
