Good idea or not?

dillmilk
dillmilk Posts: 88 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Hi guys, this is my first post here. I'm 6'5'' 160lbs. Been skinny my entire life. My goal is to get as big as possible. I know it takes a long time to gain muscle, but I want to gain weight as fast as possible. Would it be a good idea for me to dirty bulk until I reach a comfortable weight (thinking 180-200) and then switch to a clean bulk to build muscle, and finally cut so that excess weight gives way to the lean muscle underneath? Please give me your advice, I just don't want to be skinny anymore, but I don't want to get 'skinny fat' either. Cheers!

Replies

  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    I wouldnt dirty bulk. If anything i would set a moderate surplus 15% over tdee and progressive lift. And i would cycle, keeping in mind that the leaner you are the more primed a body is to build muscle. And realize it will take years to get to the point where you want.
  • dillmilk
    dillmilk Posts: 88 Member
    Thanks for your feedback. A clean bulk would entail a surplus of strictly lean, healthy foods correct? Unfortunately, I get sick of chicken and veg and rice really quick. If I understand IIFYM right, I can eat whatever I want as long as I hit my macros. So if I do something like a dirty bulk and hit all my macros, could I gain muscle and fat at the same time? And then cut to lose the excess fat but keep the muscle (or do you lose both when you cut?)? And then repeat the cycle? Right now I'm pretty skinny, so I think a little fat wouldn't be a bad thing. I want to get ripped, but I know that's a long time coming. For now, I just want to look 'normal'.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    "Clean" is a dirty word around here. That's why the recommendation was for a 15% surplus over TDEE. I think we were reading "Dirty" to mean an aggressive surplus, which would gain you weight, fast - but not more muscle than a more moderate surplus. IIFYM is good. You do lose both fat and muscle when you cut, but the goal is to lose more fat and less muscle. That's why you choose a slight or moderate deficit and keep trying to hit your protein goal. You'll still gain some fat on the moderate surplus, too. Never fear.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    dylan_mazur wrote: »
    Thanks for your feedback. A clean bulk would entail a surplus of strictly lean, healthy foods correct? Unfortunately, I get sick of chicken and veg and rice really quick. If I understand IIFYM right, I can eat whatever I want as long as I hit my macros. So if I do something like a dirty bulk and hit all my macros, could I gain muscle and fat at the same time? And then cut to lose the excess fat but keep the muscle (or do you lose both when you cut?)? And then repeat the cycle? Right now I'm pretty skinny, so I think a little fat wouldn't be a bad thing. I want to get ripped, but I know that's a long time coming. For now, I just want to look 'normal'.

    Clean bulk has nothing to do with foods but rather the size of a surplus. Its generally 10% or 250 calories over maintenance. But if you are newer and fairly lean you can probably get away with a slightly higher surplus. That is why i said 15%.

    Keep in mind you wont get ripped from a bulk. You get ripped after you cut. Bulking is providing the foundation to add muscle.
  • dillmilk
    dillmilk Posts: 88 Member
    Thank you, you've both cleared up a lot!
  • ellevs
    ellevs Posts: 12 Member
    I'm clean bulking right now, but I'm not deprived of food I like by all means... I just don't eat everything in site :) Hit your macros, eat healthy and treat yourself here and there.
  • pwillis20
    pwillis20 Posts: 30 Member
    6'5 160, you can "dirty" bulk. I would run IIFYM, but still try to make cleaner choices. Junk food is empty calories that are not going to promote nearly as much nutritional value. Also, 15% isn't bad but in your case it's not going to hurt to shoot for more 20-25. Try to get atleast .8 gram of protein for every 1 lb of body weight on your bulk, I like 1.5 on cuts. Extra protein your gonna crap out. You could probably get away with 50 percent of your calories coming from carbs too, I get around 500g a day which = 2000 calories. Carbs are your energy source, restore glycogen, generate insulin spikes, and aid in muscle fullness and recovery. Excess carbs get stored and typically convert to fat. I would recommend keeping your body fat percentage below 15% at all times though. Peanut butter and avacodoes are great snacks. If you recognize to much fat gain lower carbs increase protein or add extra cardio but monitor your heart rate to remain in the fat burning zone. TRAIN LEGS, complete range of motion, and always aim to increase time under tension or weight.
    When cutting, up protein, and I supplement with creatine, glutamine, and BCAA's to help support muscle from tearing down.
  • dillmilk
    dillmilk Posts: 88 Member
    Thanks! Could someone recommend an exercise program for me? Right now I'm doing a full body workout 3x a week.
  • diverroboz
    diverroboz Posts: 61 Member
    There is no one best program! The one you are on is fine, so as you are hitting the full body with Squats, Dead lifts, Pull Ups, Bench Press! Give those basic power lifts time to settle in, learn correct form and keep tracking everything on MFP! Get plenty of sleep and water and keep learning all you can from reading and practice! Hope that helps, good luck on your journey!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    dylan_mazur wrote: »
    Thanks! Could someone recommend an exercise program for me? Right now I'm doing a full body workout 3x a week.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1


    Check out that link and pick one that fits your schedule and skill level

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