Help with gaining weight and diet

Hey everyone my name is tobias. I'm 5'11 n 167 lbs . I'm trying to get to a solid 180.
I'm eating about 3.5k to 3.7k calories a day. I just started the strong lifts 5x5 program today .was originally at 145 now 167.

Any advice on what kind of cheap calorie dense foods that will help me put on muscle. Or if I should try a different weight lifting program . I also do 15 minutes of cardio mon day to Friday with some circuts when I'm not doing the 5x5 program.most of my diet is carbs and my protein and fat are both at 25 percent .

Replies

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Cut the cardio...why burn calories doing something that isn't going to contribute to your muscle growth? You're only increasing the amount of food you need to eat...

    In terms of food, go for full fat options - cuts of meat, oily fish, full fat dairy etc. Calorie dense vegies and fruit (starches and higher sugar), rice/beans/oats/grains, add fat with coconut oil, olive oil, butter nut butters, avo (if cheap). Icecream. Cake. Cookies. Easy!

  • rhonetteamber
    rhonetteamber Posts: 20 Member
    Cut the cardio...why burn calories doing something that isn't going to contribute to your muscle growth? You're only increasing the amount of food you need to eat...

    In terms of food, go for full fat options - cuts of meat, oily fish, full fat dairy etc. Calorie dense vegies and fruit (starches and higher sugar), rice/beans/oats/grains, add fat with coconut oil, olive oil, butter nut butters, avo (if cheap). Icecream. Cake. Cookies. Easy!

    Will try it should I just do a little bit of cardio for a warm up? Thanks for the advice bro
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Cut the cardio...why burn calories doing something that isn't going to contribute to your muscle growth? You're only increasing the amount of food you need to eat...

    In terms of food, go for full fat options - cuts of meat, oily fish, full fat dairy etc. Calorie dense vegies and fruit (starches and higher sugar), rice/beans/oats/grains, add fat with coconut oil, olive oil, butter nut butters, avo (if cheap). Icecream. Cake. Cookies. Easy!

    Will try it should I just do a little bit of cardio for a warm up? Thanks for the advice bro

    Funny looking bro... Even if I do lift weights :p

    I'd just do a couple of lighter sets of whatever you're doing for a warm up...
  • jdscrubs32
    jdscrubs32 Posts: 515 Member
    Cut the cardio...why burn calories doing something that isn't going to contribute to your muscle growth? You're only increasing the amount of food you need to eat...

    In terms of food, go for full fat options - cuts of meat, oily fish, full fat dairy etc. Calorie dense vegies and fruit (starches and higher sugar), rice/beans/oats/grains, add fat with coconut oil, olive oil, butter nut butters, avo (if cheap). Icecream. Cake. Cookies. Easy!

    Will try it should I just do a little bit of cardio for a warm up? Thanks for the advice bro

    There is no harm in doing some cardio while bulking but try to limit it to one short 30 minute session a week or 3 10 minute sessions on the days you don't work out.

  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,425 MFP Moderator
    Hey everyone my name is tobias. I'm 5'11 n 167 lbs . I'm trying to get to a solid 180.
    I'm eating about 3.5k to 3.7k calories a day. I just started the strong lifts 5x5 program today .was originally at 145 now 167.

    Any advice on what kind of cheap calorie dense foods that will help me put on muscle. Or if I should try a different weight lifting program . I also do 15 minutes of cardio mon day to Friday with some circuts when I'm not doing the 5x5 program.most of my diet is carbs and my protein and fat are both at 25 percent .

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10326769/are-you-a-hard-gainer-please-read#latest

    Use that thread. It has a pretty long list of foods that can be used to increase calories.

    How long have you been lifting?
  • rhonetteamber
    rhonetteamber Posts: 20 Member
    psulemon wrote: »
    Hey everyone my name is tobias. I'm 5'11 n 167 lbs . I'm trying to get to a solid 180.
    I'm eating about 3.5k to 3.7k calories a day. I just started the strong lifts 5x5 program today .was originally at 145 now 167.

    Any advice on what kind of cheap calorie dense foods that will help me put on muscle. Or if I should try a different weight lifting program . I also do 15 minutes of cardio mon day to Friday with some circuts when I'm not doing the 5x5 program.most of my diet is carbs and my protein and fat are both at 25 percent .

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10326769/are-you-a-hard-gainer-please-read#latest

    Use that thread. It has a pretty long list of foods that can be used to increase calories.

    How long have you been lifting?

    Six months .
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,425 MFP Moderator
    psulemon wrote: »
    Hey everyone my name is tobias. I'm 5'11 n 167 lbs . I'm trying to get to a solid 180.
    I'm eating about 3.5k to 3.7k calories a day. I just started the strong lifts 5x5 program today .was originally at 145 now 167.

    Any advice on what kind of cheap calorie dense foods that will help me put on muscle. Or if I should try a different weight lifting program . I also do 15 minutes of cardio mon day to Friday with some circuts when I'm not doing the 5x5 program.most of my diet is carbs and my protein and fat are both at 25 percent .

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10326769/are-you-a-hard-gainer-please-read#latest

    Use that thread. It has a pretty long list of foods that can be used to increase calories.

    How long have you been lifting?

    Six months .

    I could consider a more intermediate program like PHUL or one of these http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    5x5 is a strength program, it is designed to gain strength at the 5 rep range. Not to say you won't gain muscle if eating in a surplus, just not as much as if you were working a hypertrophy program.
    Some strength programs include hypertrophy work as accessories, ypu might want to research that direction.
  • rhonetteamber
    rhonetteamber Posts: 20 Member
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    5x5 is a strength program, it is designed to gain strength at the 5 rep range. Not to say you won't gain muscle if eating in a surplus, just not as much as if you were working a hypertrophy program.
    Some strength programs include hypertrophy work as accessories, ypu might want to research that direction.

    Suggestions?