Work in Progress/Post Bulk Pics

Great job.

Nice job

You look fantastic @arditarose

fantastic. very sexy back! good work.

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

How long did you bulk for? I'm currently bulking myself at the moment. I started at 151lbs, started a cut to 136 lbs but I felt and looked weak. It's been a month and a week since I've been off of my cut and into a bulk and I've gone back up to 141. Granted some may have been initial water retention and weight from increasing carbs. But it's mentally challenging for sure. I'm not quite sure when I'm going to stop bulking- hence why I'm curious!

I bought some new pants at the end of my cut, because I was holding out and everything was just saggy, and I don't think they're going to fit me in a month LOL.

I started in November and quit about exactly the middle of March. I wanted to push it all the way to April and felt like a quitter BUT it was just too much..I was a chubster and was starting to get nervous, especially since it was my first bulk. So 4.5 months. I gained fast but I think a good 4-5lbs was initial water weight, plus I had Thanksgiving, xmas, new years, the super bowl...and I was bulking on 2000 calories. That feels like nothing when you're training hard so I think I was over eating as well.

My pants that I bought at the end of my cut most DEFINITELY did not fit or fit well at the end of the bulk. In fact, I still dread trying them on. Buy stretchy clothes and some sweat pants lol.

I gained quickly as well! My weight has been going up a pound a week, I can't tell how much is actually water retention. I was maintaining weight on 195C/50F/140P = 1790 calories for two weeks. Then two weeks ago I moved to 220C/55F/135P = 1915 calories and I've gained a pound each week haha. I'm hesitant to cut the difference of the macros and try that for slower weight gain. It's hard going from leaner and cut to the reverse. I do love the food though! Ice cream for days. I mean I ate ice cream before, but now I can have more haha. I'm taking my measurements for the first time since I started bulking this weekend, I'm curious to see where these 5 lbs went to. My back and those love handles hold out the most fat. Can't wait to slim those bad boys down.

How much did you drop calorie wise from the 2k bulk?

And yes I will be going for these jeggings! No more normal jeans haha. I think I'm going to end up having "bulk" and "lean" set clothing.

A 150 calorie increase wouldn't be a 1 lb per week gain. So you can be assured it's glycogen/water.

psulemon wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

How long did you bulk for? I'm currently bulking myself at the moment. I started at 151lbs, started a cut to 136 lbs but I felt and looked weak. It's been a month and a week since I've been off of my cut and into a bulk and I've gone back up to 141. Granted some may have been initial water retention and weight from increasing carbs. But it's mentally challenging for sure. I'm not quite sure when I'm going to stop bulking- hence why I'm curious!

I bought some new pants at the end of my cut, because I was holding out and everything was just saggy, and I don't think they're going to fit me in a month LOL.

I started in November and quit about exactly the middle of March. I wanted to push it all the way to April and felt like a quitter BUT it was just too much..I was a chubster and was starting to get nervous, especially since it was my first bulk. So 4.5 months. I gained fast but I think a good 4-5lbs was initial water weight, plus I had Thanksgiving, xmas, new years, the super bowl...and I was bulking on 2000 calories. That feels like nothing when you're training hard so I think I was over eating as well.

My pants that I bought at the end of my cut most DEFINITELY did not fit or fit well at the end of the bulk. In fact, I still dread trying them on. Buy stretchy clothes and some sweat pants lol.

I gained quickly as well! My weight has been going up a pound a week, I can't tell how much is actually water retention. I was maintaining weight on 195C/50F/140P = 1790 calories for two weeks. Then two weeks ago I moved to 220C/55F/135P = 1915 calories and I've gained a pound each week haha. I'm hesitant to cut the difference of the macros and try that for slower weight gain. It's hard going from leaner and cut to the reverse. I do love the food though! Ice cream for days. I mean I ate ice cream before, but now I can have more haha. I'm taking my measurements for the first time since I started bulking this weekend, I'm curious to see where these 5 lbs went to. My back and those love handles hold out the most fat. Can't wait to slim those bad boys down.

How much did you drop calorie wise from the 2k bulk?

And yes I will be going for these jeggings! No more normal jeans haha. I think I'm going to end up having "bulk" and "lean" set clothing.

A 150 calorie increase wouldn't be a 1 lb per week gain. So you can be assured it's glycogen/water.

Logic told me the same thing, I'm just getting mental about it. Hold steady on the macros and keep watching the trend then, you think? Ideally I was hoping I would be able to break the 2k calories for a bulk!

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

How long did you bulk for? I'm currently bulking myself at the moment. I started at 151lbs, started a cut to 136 lbs but I felt and looked weak. It's been a month and a week since I've been off of my cut and into a bulk and I've gone back up to 141. Granted some may have been initial water retention and weight from increasing carbs. But it's mentally challenging for sure. I'm not quite sure when I'm going to stop bulking- hence why I'm curious!

I bought some new pants at the end of my cut, because I was holding out and everything was just saggy, and I don't think they're going to fit me in a month LOL.

I started in November and quit about exactly the middle of March. I wanted to push it all the way to April and felt like a quitter BUT it was just too much..I was a chubster and was starting to get nervous, especially since it was my first bulk. So 4.5 months. I gained fast but I think a good 4-5lbs was initial water weight, plus I had Thanksgiving, xmas, new years, the super bowl...and I was bulking on 2000 calories. That feels like nothing when you're training hard so I think I was over eating as well.

My pants that I bought at the end of my cut most DEFINITELY did not fit or fit well at the end of the bulk. In fact, I still dread trying them on. Buy stretchy clothes and some sweat pants lol.

I gained quickly as well! My weight has been going up a pound a week, I can't tell how much is actually water retention. I was maintaining weight on 195C/50F/140P = 1790 calories for two weeks. Then two weeks ago I moved to 220C/55F/135P = 1915 calories and I've gained a pound each week haha. I'm hesitant to cut the difference of the macros and try that for slower weight gain. It's hard going from leaner and cut to the reverse. I do love the food though! Ice cream for days. I mean I ate ice cream before, but now I can have more haha. I'm taking my measurements for the first time since I started bulking this weekend, I'm curious to see where these 5 lbs went to. My back and those love handles hold out the most fat. Can't wait to slim those bad boys down.

How much did you drop calorie wise from the 2k bulk?

And yes I will be going for these jeggings! No more normal jeans haha. I think I'm going to end up having "bulk" and "lean" set clothing.

Coming straight out of a cut that felt pretty aggressive, I gained quickly too. But if you're logging is tight I would trust the process and hike the cals up to 250 surplus. You need that stimulus and surplus for muscle growth. Why spin your wheels?

When I finished my Bulk I was closer to 2200 calories. I maintain on about 1900. I chose an aggressive deficit. You can probably figure what that would be. I don't really suggest it but it was an experiment. I thought I'd adhere to it well and logic was I was primed for fat loss and the quicker I got some off, the quicker I could go back to building muscle.

Unfortunately I got a little intense with the dieting all while ending a long term relationship. So the cut didn't go well in the end, hence why I'm sitting at a higher BF% than i planned to be at this pint in the summer.

What did you cut to? I was eating at 1350 when I started MFP, I won't ever drop that low again. I'm 5'8", I was 151 lbs, no reason to go that low to start with. I think I lost a decent bit of muscle too in the process. You live and learn though. My logging is tight, I make sure those entries are accurate and I weigh it all- a little too obsessive. I'll try to relax whenever I try maintenance out.
Very true about the spinning wheels! I'll probably increase cals once my water retention figures itself out and I even out a bit more on the scale. Logically the 120ish calorie increase wouldn't have me gaining a whole pound a week if I was maintaining at 1800 calories. I only gave that two weeks on those macros but I held steady (I have no idea what maintenance is for me honestly, so I'm assuming it's that). I'm thinking a slower cut whenever I can't stand myself and get too fluffy lol. More food and hopefully less metabolic damage - I no doubt did that the first time around.

Would you do a slow reverse diet next time when coming off of a cut? I may go that route next time. The want/desire for muscle gets strong and you're like MORE FOOD, TRAIN HARDER NOW haha.

You've made awesome progress though- gotta keep the booty gains!

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

How long did you bulk for? I'm currently bulking myself at the moment. I started at 151lbs, started a cut to 136 lbs but I felt and looked weak. It's been a month and a week since I've been off of my cut and into a bulk and I've gone back up to 141. Granted some may have been initial water retention and weight from increasing carbs. But it's mentally challenging for sure. I'm not quite sure when I'm going to stop bulking- hence why I'm curious!

I bought some new pants at the end of my cut, because I was holding out and everything was just saggy, and I don't think they're going to fit me in a month LOL.

I started in November and quit about exactly the middle of March. I wanted to push it all the way to April and felt like a quitter BUT it was just too much..I was a chubster and was starting to get nervous, especially since it was my first bulk. So 4.5 months. I gained fast but I think a good 4-5lbs was initial water weight, plus I had Thanksgiving, xmas, new years, the super bowl...and I was bulking on 2000 calories. That feels like nothing when you're training hard so I think I was over eating as well.

My pants that I bought at the end of my cut most DEFINITELY did not fit or fit well at the end of the bulk. In fact, I still dread trying them on. Buy stretchy clothes and some sweat pants lol.

I gained quickly as well! My weight has been going up a pound a week, I can't tell how much is actually water retention. I was maintaining weight on 195C/50F/140P = 1790 calories for two weeks. Then two weeks ago I moved to 220C/55F/135P = 1915 calories and I've gained a pound each week haha. I'm hesitant to cut the difference of the macros and try that for slower weight gain. It's hard going from leaner and cut to the reverse. I do love the food though! Ice cream for days. I mean I ate ice cream before, but now I can have more haha. I'm taking my measurements for the first time since I started bulking this weekend, I'm curious to see where these 5 lbs went to. My back and those love handles hold out the most fat. Can't wait to slim those bad boys down.

How much did you drop calorie wise from the 2k bulk?

And yes I will be going for these jeggings! No more normal jeans haha. I think I'm going to end up having "bulk" and "lean" set clothing.

Coming straight out of a cut that felt pretty aggressive, I gained quickly too. But if you're logging is tight I would trust the process and hike the cals up to 250 surplus. You need that stimulus and surplus for muscle growth. Why spin your wheels?

When I finished my Bulk I was closer to 2200 calories. I maintain on about 1900. I chose an aggressive deficit. You can probably figure what that would be. I don't really suggest it but it was an experiment. I thought I'd adhere to it well and logic was I was primed for fat loss and the quicker I got some off, the quicker I could go back to building muscle.

Unfortunately I got a little intense with the dieting all while ending a long term relationship. So the cut didn't go well in the end, hence why I'm sitting at a higher BF% than i planned to be at this pint in the summer.

What did you cut to? I was eating at 1350 when I started MFP, I won't ever drop that low again. I'm 5'8", I was 151 lbs, no reason to go that low to start with. I think I lost a decent bit of muscle too in the process. You live and learn though. My logging is tight, I make sure those entries are accurate and I weigh it all- a little too obsessive. I'll try to relax whenever I try maintenance out.
Very true about the spinning wheels! I'll probably increase cals once my water retention figures itself out and I even out a bit more on the scale. Logically the 120ish calorie increase wouldn't have me gaining a whole pound a week if I was maintaining at 1800 calories. I only gave that two weeks on those macros but I held steady (I have no idea what maintenance is for me honestly, so I'm assuming it's that). I'm thinking a slower cut whenever I can't stand myself and get too fluffy lol. More food and hopefully less metabolic damage - I no doubt did that the first time around.

Would you do a slow reverse diet next time when coming off of a cut? I may go that route next time. The want/desire for muscle gets strong and you're like MORE FOOD, TRAIN HARDER NOW haha.

You've made awesome progress though- gotta keep the booty gains!

Umm...it was aggressive. That's all I'll say not PSMF aggressive but...yeah. Just add the calories. The water weight will work out even with them in. Your body is also going to make changes throughout the bulk. There were weeks I looked little and lean and weeks I looked like a marshmellow, all while eating about the same amount of cals.

I didn't really reverse out of the cut. I went to maintenance maybe for a week then it was my 30th birthday. My present to myself was a bulk and slutty brownies so I went for it.

I can't imagine I'd put myself into such an aggressive cut that is need to reverse diet at this point. It's nice not to see the water weight gain but at this point I understand what that is and looks like and would rather eat and train well rather than horse around with slowly adding cals back.

Very good advice! Get all the gains, time to thin out later. It's easier when you're doing it for yourself, no time frame to abide by, no rules. I will surely take some more pancakes.

How do you really know when you eat into BF though on a cut vs water? Also, what was your workout split for bulking?

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

psulemon wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

lindsaymbirch wrote: »

How long did you bulk for? I'm currently bulking myself at the moment. I started at 151lbs, started a cut to 136 lbs but I felt and looked weak. It's been a month and a week since I've been off of my cut and into a bulk and I've gone back up to 141. Granted some may have been initial water retention and weight from increasing carbs. But it's mentally challenging for sure. I'm not quite sure when I'm going to stop bulking- hence why I'm curious!

I bought some new pants at the end of my cut, because I was holding out and everything was just saggy, and I don't think they're going to fit me in a month LOL.

I started in November and quit about exactly the middle of March. I wanted to push it all the way to April and felt like a quitter BUT it was just too much..I was a chubster and was starting to get nervous, especially since it was my first bulk. So 4.5 months. I gained fast but I think a good 4-5lbs was initial water weight, plus I had Thanksgiving, xmas, new years, the super bowl...and I was bulking on 2000 calories. That feels like nothing when you're training hard so I think I was over eating as well.

My pants that I bought at the end of my cut most DEFINITELY did not fit or fit well at the end of the bulk. In fact, I still dread trying them on. Buy stretchy clothes and some sweat pants lol.

I gained quickly as well! My weight has been going up a pound a week, I can't tell how much is actually water retention. I was maintaining weight on 195C/50F/140P = 1790 calories for two weeks. Then two weeks ago I moved to 220C/55F/135P = 1915 calories and I've gained a pound each week haha. I'm hesitant to cut the difference of the macros and try that for slower weight gain. It's hard going from leaner and cut to the reverse. I do love the food though! Ice cream for days. I mean I ate ice cream before, but now I can have more haha. I'm taking my measurements for the first time since I started bulking this weekend, I'm curious to see where these 5 lbs went to. My back and those love handles hold out the most fat. Can't wait to slim those bad boys down.

How much did you drop calorie wise from the 2k bulk?

And yes I will be going for these jeggings! No more normal jeans haha. I think I'm going to end up having "bulk" and "lean" set clothing.

A 150 calorie increase wouldn't be a 1 lb per week gain. So you can be assured it's glycogen/water.

Logic told me the same thing, I'm just getting mental about it. Hold steady on the macros and keep watching the trend then, you think? Ideally I was hoping I would be able to break the 2k calories for a bulk!

Honestly if you are maintaining at 1800 i would bulk at 2050 to 2200. Being yout first bulk you have potential to gain a bit more. But its definitely a mental game and you need to trust to process.

Nice job!

arditarose wrote: »

AigreDoux wrote: »

Really well done! I am very jealous! I am about your height and weight (5'5", 143-145 lbs) but carry much more fat and much less muscle than you, and thus look a ton bigger (not in a good way)!

I am currently trying to cut down to about 130 and not having much luck with any type of muscle gain despite 6 months of lifting, so suspect I may have to bulk once I get leaner.

How long have you been lifting for? What calories are you on now? Do you do any cardio type exercise or just lifting?

Have you also been in a deficit all 6 months? I gained most of my muscle in maintenance and surplus. I think I had some newbie gains in the very beginning when I was fat, dieting, and lifting--but those are minimal for almost everyone, including myself. I also have no way to prove this.

I've been lifting for 2 years. I eat about 1800-1900 to maintain. I do have hopes that I might maintain on a little more at the moment so I'm trying a slow cut at 1680. Zero cardio.

Well, first, I would be really happy to look like your post-bulk pictures, so you have nothing to be worried about!

I have been cutting for that 6 months, since January, and have lost 20 pounds. I got really fat after having babies. I eat ~1500 calories and run about 10 miles a week in addition to 3 days of lifting. I can obviously see that I've lost weight, but don't see anything near the same amount of muscle definition you have in all of your pictures. I'm just not sure how much longer I should cut or how lean I should get.

I had 130 in my head as a reasonable number, but now looking at your pictures, I think you are much much leaner at 128 than I would be at 130. I was below 120 in this picture and don't have nearly the bone/muscle definition that you have at 128. My hands are bony irrespective of weight, but the rest of my upper body is really not, and I can assure you that my lower body was even more fluffy even at that weight. So does that mean I'll have to go to like 115 before I can start to actually gain muscle? That is sort of depressing.



Do you have any idea of your body fat % at any of these times? How long were you cutting before you hit 128?

Sorry for the book, but I really admire your physique and all the hard work you've put in!