What areas of the body change when bulking?

Protranser
Protranser Posts: 517 Member
edited November 2024 in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
I have a few pants that I bought within the last 6 months that are now 3 sizes too big for me. I'm wondering, though, if I were to consider bulking/cutting phases, would increasing my muscle mass also increase my waist size? I don't know if I want a thicker waist than I have now...

Replies

  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    Yes - it will.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    You're likely to gain some fat all over, so yes your waist will probably increase in size
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    Thank you! Good to know
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    All of you will change. Your face, waist, arms, hips, butt, chest, legs. Some will be fat and hopefully some will be muscle.
  • FitGirl0123
    FitGirl0123 Posts: 1,273 Member
    Everything.
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    I was kinda hoping a bulk would allow me to sculpt/shape my body. I would like to maintain my waist size but increase other areas. I suppose that's silly to expect lol
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Protranser wrote: »
    I was kinda hoping a bulk would allow me to sculpt/shape my body. I would like to maintain my waist size but increase other areas. I suppose that's silly to expect lol

    A bulk will help you shape your body, but you're going to gain some fat too. When you do a cut you'll lose that fat and have an improved shape.
  • AgentFlex
    AgentFlex Posts: 211 Member
    It's definitely hard to say where you'll grow and where you won't when bulking. Last year on my second bulk I put on a bit of fat in my usual fat stores but ended up looking more lean in areas like my arms and shoulders as the muscles were growing but I wasn't gaining fat there. You will ultimately sculpt your body through bulking and cutting, but bulking itself will put on fat and maybe not where you want it. Trust the process though! Good luck!
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    Thanks everyone. If i decide to start bulking, I'll mentally prepare myself to gain fat again o:)
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Just be scientific about your approach. Know what your maintenance needs are now and increase calories sufficiently but not excessively - you do not wish to commit to a larger than needed surplus or you'll gain "extra" fat without the "extra" muscle. Most importantly, be consistent in two areas: accurately weigh and log all intake daily and weigh yourself at the same day and time, preferably first thing when waking. There are several useful threads you can check to aid you in this section if interested.
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    geekyjock76 wrote: »
    Just be scientific about your approach. Know what your maintenance needs are now and increase calories sufficiently but not excessively - you do not wish to commit to a larger than needed surplus or you'll gain "extra" fat without the "extra" muscle. Most importantly, be consistent in two areas: accurately weigh and log all intake daily and weigh yourself at the same day and time, preferably first thing when waking. There are several useful threads you can check to aid you in this section if interested.

    Thanks for that suggestion! I'll Look through here more, now :)
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    Protranser wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. If i decide to start bulking, I'll mentally prepare myself to gain fat again o:)

    Good luck, it's a real headgame with yourself when you have worked so hard to lose that much weight then to intentionally put more fat back on. It's normal to start to want to cut again soon after bulking and seeing fat return on your gut but just resist and stick to your goals. You might have to do control days, micro cuts and other small adjustments but keep the overall trend towards your goal.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    Cutting I go down to a size 32" pants, bulking gets me back up to a size 34" pants uncomfortably. Fortunately for me, the size 34" is what I wore before I got back into fitness March '14.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    My stomach.
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    Thanks for the great info everyone! I'm still having serious hang ups about purposely gaining weight. It's irrational, because i know how to lose it.

    I think I'll drop some cardio from my current routine to create a calorie surplus when I'm ready to take the plunge. I seem to be having trouble determining how much i need to eat to maintain... Since switching my mindset to maintenance in October 2015, I've lost another 6 lbs... So yeah. One step at a time
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.
  • 3AAnn3
    3AAnn3 Posts: 3,054 Member
    Unfortunately, you can't control where you gain.
    arditarose wrote: »
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.

    I just completed a 4 month bulk. Gained 8. And began my cut this week. You still look fantastic.

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    3AAnn3 wrote: »
    Unfortunately, you can't control where you gain.
    arditarose wrote: »
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.

    I just completed a 4 month bulk. Gained 8. And began my cut this week. You still look fantastic.

    Thanks...I gained 8 in like two months :/
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    3AAnn3 wrote: »
    Unfortunately, you can't control where you gain.
    arditarose wrote: »
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.

    I just completed a 4 month bulk. Gained 8. And began my cut this week. You still look fantastic.

    Thanks...I gained 8 in like two months :/

    That's 1 lb a week gain, are you sure some is not just water weight?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Protranser wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    3AAnn3 wrote: »
    Unfortunately, you can't control where you gain.
    arditarose wrote: »
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.

    I just completed a 4 month bulk. Gained 8. And began my cut this week. You still look fantastic.

    Thanks...I gained 8 in like two months :/

    That's 1 lb a week gain, are you sure some is not just water weight?

    I started at 128 and I weigh like 139 now. Some of it has to be water, yeah. I probably did over bulk a bit too because I started it with my Bday, then went nuts on Thanksgiving and Xmas. I kind of feel like a screw up!
  • Protranser
    Protranser Posts: 517 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Protranser wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    3AAnn3 wrote: »
    Unfortunately, you can't control where you gain.
    arditarose wrote: »
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.

    I just completed a 4 month bulk. Gained 8. And began my cut this week. You still look fantastic.

    Thanks...I gained 8 in like two months :/

    That's 1 lb a week gain, are you sure some is not just water weight?

    I started at 128 and I weigh like 139 now. Some of it has to be water, yeah. I probably did over bulk a bit too because I started it with my Bday, then went nuts on Thanksgiving and Xmas. I kind of feel like a screw up!

    Stick to your routine, I'm sure you'll be fine. Keep monitoring your weight over the next 8 weeks is what I'd do if I were in your situation. Your post count leads me to believe you've been doing this for a while, so I bet you'll come out of this looking how you want, over time :)
  • 3AAnn3
    3AAnn3 Posts: 3,054 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Protranser wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    3AAnn3 wrote: »
    Unfortunately, you can't control where you gain.
    arditarose wrote: »
    I just made my profile pic my current bulk progress. I feel generally larger all over. Even my face filled back out.

    I just completed a 4 month bulk. Gained 8. And began my cut this week. You still look fantastic.

    Thanks...I gained 8 in like two months :/

    That's 1 lb a week gain, are you sure some is not just water weight?

    I started at 128 and I weigh like 139 now. Some of it has to be water, yeah. I probably did over bulk a bit too because I started it with my Bday, then went nuts on Thanksgiving and Xmas. I kind of feel like a screw up!
    Haha! I hear you. Like 4 of my 8 were in December. Christmas, 2 of my kids b-days, Sky-high stress. My bulk didn't exactly go as planned, either.
  • AliMalek21
    AliMalek21 Posts: 51 Member
    I'm bulking right now, I'm gaining mass and muscles through eating at a surplus, don't worry u will get fat but when u lean down u will get shredded as hell
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