Anyone cutting after a bulk?

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Replies

  • steveko89
    steveko89 Posts: 2,223 Member
    pitbullpuppy wrote: »
    steveko89 wrote: »
    pitbullpuppy wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    That's some great gains @pitbullpuppy how long did you bulk for?

    I've been bulking since the start of November and following Arnold's plan religiously from his Bodybuilding Bible. I can totally, totally see massive changes in my entire body. Frankly I'm not even sure I'll need to drop to 117 to get rid of the fat & really reveal it, I'm just starting to feel pudgy. We'll seeeee! I'd love to be able to compete as bikini at some point!

    I just found a PDF of that and it's quite the compendium. Which plan from the book have you been following?

    I started at level one and now I’m about a month into level two (I don’t have my notes at the moment). Its designed to be followed in order. You might have a bad download if you can’t find it, there’s only one plan (separated into “levels” to progressively build without being totally overwhelmed/incapable).

    Just to make sure we're talking about the same document; The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding : The Bible of Bodybuilding. What I'm seeing is within "Book Two", Ch.3 is the Basic Program with two levels and Ch.5 is the Advanced Training Program.
  • jseams1234
    jseams1234 Posts: 1,219 Member
    pitbullpuppy wrote: »
    Cutting. Went from 109 to 127 I’m hoping that at 117ish I’ll see the benefits of my work without needing to cut further down. Wish me luck!

    18 pounds in three months? I'm assuming that you are female as most men don't want to compete in "bikini". ;)

    That's a pretty solid bulk. I hope you are right and most of that sticks. Good luck!



    on another note: I failed my 3 plate bench... tweaked my wrist a bit too since I didn't wear my brace or wrap them. However, I'm not too depressed about the failed attempt. I actually think I may have made it on Monday if I had tried then as that felt like one of my best days in the gym ever. Felt incredibly strong. Yesterday, well - didn't quite feel as good and still tight from Monday. Anyhow, I failed on the last three or four inches and lockout even though I ended up with my butt pretty far off the bench. lol

    Getting close... I'll get it.
  • Mr_Healthy_Habits
    Mr_Healthy_Habits Posts: 12,588 Member
    edited January 2020
    So far so good... Another week and about another 0.5lbs or so...

    Still able to keep my waist < 31", and my abdomen pinch roughly the same...

    My upper body measurements over this time have been slowly and modestly increasing although I'm adding more weight to the bar so that's good...

    What has really grown are my legs... Like maybe 1.5-2" in the last several months...

    I always knew that the key to gaining weight and doing lean was going to be legs... Knees are sore but manageable...

    Some days I track food, some days I don't...
    My ultimate goal is to bulk up to around 190-195lbs, and do it so well and so gradually... That I'll never need to cut again ✌🏼

    Eta: In the mirror, I feel like I look lean as ever really 🤷🏽‍♂️
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Been sick all week, barely have worked out and on work travel next week. Hardcore tracking when i get back.
  • SoHowLongIsThisGonnaTake
    SoHowLongIsThisGonnaTake Posts: 268 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Coach says I get to do a mini-cut when I hit 200 lbs. Six more pounds! I can't wait. Who'da thunk a person can get sick of food?!?

    Just browsed your profile. Girl.

    👏👏👏👊💪
  • AmbitiousButRubbish
    AmbitiousButRubbish Posts: 246 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    I think I am done with the weight loss. I am about 0.5lb from goal (a goal which I just randomly made up anyhow) I still have higher bodyfat than I would like but at this point I am happy with my shape, just want to see if I can recomp to tighten up and build a little bit. I have low expectations even if I maintain what I have it's fine too. I might do a small cut in July/August to get ready to bulk in the fall if I need to. I really have to make sure to push it in the gym and get my workouts in.

    This week I have been eating a bit more, so hopefully I will officially be in maintenance by next week.

    Any chance of a blog post to outline where you stand and what the goals are? Always enjoy your post and the progress you made is amazing to see.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    @AmbitiousButRubbish I will try my best to get around to it! Thanks for all your support, means a lot. I am glad someone reads them, even if it's just one person :p
  • AmbitiousButRubbish
    AmbitiousButRubbish Posts: 246 Member
    @sardelsa Of course! Your blog is great. Its easy to get in great shape when you have lots of time. Way more amazing when there are kids in the picture. With 3 I'm amazed you even have time to work out. Gives me hope that some day I might actually get to my goal if someone else can do it in a similar situation.
  • GaryRuns
    GaryRuns Posts: 508 Member
    @sardelsa, I'll admit to reading your blog at least as often as you've updated it! :D
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    Thanks @GaryRuns :)
  • Mr_Healthy_Habits
    Mr_Healthy_Habits Posts: 12,588 Member
    edited January 2020
    Well this is probably the first week in several months where I did not gain a 0.5lb 😂...

    I ate to the point where I just couldn't comfortably eat any more in a day, so far I'm just going to refuse to do that to myself...

    I did make small but gains nonetheless with the tape measure and my waist and caliper pinches are pretty much the same...

    Also was still able to add reps or weight to all my key lifts... Although I'm admittingly pretty sore

    The mirror has been rather kind to me as of late as well, I feel like I look leaner and better than ever honestly...

    Which for myself is always the biggest struggle, I'm finally starting to feel like I look pretty good and not just pretty good for how far I've come...
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 905 Member
    Down to 217.3lb this morning
    Lots of people starting to comment
    My weight loss, usually when I get down
    To 212 people start start asking if I’m seriously ill or terminal, the joys of diet face 😂
  • jseams1234
    jseams1234 Posts: 1,219 Member
    edited January 2020
    watts6151 wrote: »
    Down to 217.3lb this morning
    Lots of people starting to comment
    My weight loss, usually when I get down
    To 212 people start start asking if I’m seriously ill or terminal, the joys of diet face 😂

    Are you still planning on cutting sub 200? Last time I really cut I got to about 190 before people starting suggesting that I "eat a sammich" and other nonsense. I even had one lady call me "skinny"... at 190... wonder what she would have thought of me when I was 130. ;)
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 905 Member
    jseams1234 wrote: »
    watts6151 wrote: »
    Down to 217.3lb this morning
    Lots of people starting to comment
    My weight loss, usually when I get down
    To 212 people start start asking if I’m seriously ill or terminal, the joys of diet face 😂

    Are you still planning on cutting sub 200? Last time I really cut I got to about 190 before people starting suggesting that I "eat a sammich" and other nonsense. I even had one lady rig call me "skinny"... at 190... wonder what she would have thought of me when I was 130. ;)

    The ‘plan’ is to be on stage at 200-202lb
    Weather or not it’ll happen is anyone’s guess at this point, totally flat at 217lb

    Cannot image getting called skinny at 190
    I’d probably have a few interesting words to say If some lady did 😂






  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    My coach reneged! He says we’re going up to 210 lbs before I get to cut, instead of 200. *kitten*

    I’m consoling myself with the fact that it is because I’m putting on muscle pretty well. Approximately 4.5 lbs since October. Pretty good for a nearly 45-year-old female!

    Good luck. How tall are you?
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    My coach reneged! He says we’re going up to 210 lbs before I get to cut, instead of 200. *kitten*

    I’m consoling myself with the fact that it is because I’m putting on muscle pretty well. Approximately 4.5 lbs since October. Pretty good for a nearly 45-year-old female!

    That’s excellent! Heck, it probably took me a year to put on that much.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    My coach reneged! He says we’re going up to 210 lbs before I get to cut, instead of 200. *kitten*

    I’m consoling myself with the fact that it is because I’m putting on muscle pretty well. Approximately 4.5 lbs since October. Pretty good for a nearly 45-year-old female!

    You are amazing! Woohoo for the bulk :)
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    My coach reneged! He says we’re going up to 210 lbs before I get to cut, instead of 200. *kitten*

    I’m consoling myself with the fact that it is because I’m putting on muscle pretty well. Approximately 4.5 lbs since October. Pretty good for a nearly 45-year-old female!

    Good luck. How tall are you?

    5'9"
  • imfornd70
    imfornd70 Posts: 552 Member
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally
  • steveko89
    steveko89 Posts: 2,223 Member
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally

    IIRC there's some solid recent research suggesting that lean bulking is better/more efficient than the traditional "eat big to get big" monster bulks. However, I know @jseams1234 does well going full panda so YMMV.
  • imfornd70
    imfornd70 Posts: 552 Member
    steveko89 wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally

    IIRC there's some solid recent research suggesting that lean bulking is better/more efficient than the traditional "eat big to get big" monster bulks. However, I know @jseams1234 does well going full panda so YMMV.

    and you get to look leaner while bulking
  • imfornd70
    imfornd70 Posts: 552 Member
    Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    steveko89 wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally

    IIRC there's some solid recent research suggesting that lean bulking is better/more efficient than the traditional "eat big to get big" monster bulks. However, I know @jseams1234 does well going full panda so YMMV.

    and you get to look leaner while bulking

    I'm trying to let this be the last time I ever "bulk"

    I figured if I do it right I can probably gain about as much I'd like to without gaining any fat... I think it's possible despite contemporary thinking...

    I mean what's the point if I'm going to gain this weight just to cut back down to where I am already... At least that's where my head is today lol

    So far up about 8-9lbs, eating well and I feel look leaner than ever really 🤷🏽‍♂️

    the key to good bulking is quality nutrition - you don't need to east everything in sight - if you are only looking for that beach body then focus primarily of HV(High Volume lifting) sets of 8-12 - you get roughly the same as lifting heavy with he benefits of lower injury and higher calorie burn
  • jseams1234
    jseams1234 Posts: 1,219 Member
    steveko89 wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally

    IIRC there's some solid recent research suggesting that lean bulking is better/more efficient than the traditional "eat big to get big" monster bulks. However, I know @jseams1234 does well going full panda so YMMV.

    ;) Yup. Full Panda. However, I do think I may have nearly exhausted the potential for any serious gains and depending on the results this round I may be moving over to a much more conservative bulking method. I can drop weight very quickly but no matter the method I use it seems that my elbows and shoulders get real crunchy and painful. I worry a bit about permanent damage I may be causing. I'm already that guy that spends the first 10 minutes at the gym wrapping everything. lol
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 905 Member
    jseams1234 wrote: »
    steveko89 wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally

    IIRC there's some solid recent research suggesting that lean bulking is better/more efficient than the traditional "eat big to get big" monster bulks. However, I know @jseams1234 does well going full panda so YMMV.

    ;) Yup. Full Panda. However, I do think I may have nearly exhausted the potential for any serious gains and depending on the results this round I may be moving over to a much more conservative bulking method. I can drop weight very quickly but no matter the method I use it seems that my elbows and shoulders get real crunchy and painful. I worry a bit about permanent damage I may be causing. I'm already that guy that spends the first 10 minutes at the gym wrapping everything. lol


    Good luck with your potentially last big bulk

    Did my last major bulk about 5 years ago
    Got up to 245lb from 215lb , my bp and blood work were a disaster at that weight, after a long cut I’d managed to gain a ball park 4lb of muscle. After that I’ve stuck to lean bulks where I don’t gain more than 10lb total body weight over 5-6months
  • Mr_Healthy_Habits
    Mr_Healthy_Habits Posts: 12,588 Member
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    steveko89 wrote: »
    imfornd70 wrote: »
    I've been bulking for almost 2 months now - carrying an extra 7 pounds +/- , just starting my cutting cycle - I dont really like to eat too much while bulking - true I gain less LBM but after cutting and losing some of the LBM I feel i retain the equal amount of muscle as a person who bulks traditionally

    IIRC there's some solid recent research suggesting that lean bulking is better/more efficient than the traditional "eat big to get big" monster bulks. However, I know @jseams1234 does well going full panda so YMMV.

    and you get to look leaner while bulking

    I'm trying to let this be the last time I ever "bulk"

    I figured if I do it right I can probably gain about as much I'd like to without gaining any fat... I think it's possible despite contemporary thinking...

    I mean what's the point if I'm going to gain this weight just to cut back down to where I am already... At least that's where my head is today lol

    So far up about 8-9lbs, eating well and I feel look leaner than ever really 🤷🏽‍♂️

    the key to good bulking is quality nutrition - you don't need to east everything in sight - if you are only looking for that beach body then focus primarily of HV(High Volume lifting) sets of 8-12 - you get roughly the same as lifting heavy with he benefits of lower injury and higher calorie burn

    I try, although admittingly a fair percentage of my extra calories have come from sugar...

    I'm just eating a bit extra everyday and trying to increase the weight on the bar... I usually gain about 2-3lbs every weekend and it slowly comes off throughout the week... So my strategy has basically been, try to keep that some of that weekend weight and usually by the end of the work week, I'm about 0.5lb heavier...

    Although last week I didn't gain any weight and I ran over Saturday... So now my legs feel like they are starving 😂

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