Time to Gain! Anyone running a bulk?
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Are you a bodybuilder? Do you have experience doing any of the things Greg speaks about? I am just genuinely curious because there is no one size fits all for everyone, different things work for different people.
That's exactly the point of the video. If you pay attention to the information provided and not jump to conclusions about the person providing it you will see that you can achieve your goals either way. I just want people to understand the dangers of bulking to an unhealthy weight and then cutting back which leads to eating disorders.
Most of us here have been doing this for quite awhile. Greg doesn't provide any evidence or support for his position. If you want to eat at maintenance while you are overfat thinking you will get lean, then best of luck to you. But trying to force your position by spamming a video isn't going to change our positions.
And like @sardelsa said, have you looked at a lot of the physiques in this thread section?2 -
Applicability of the video’s message aside, does he remind anyone else of a jacked Gilbert Gottfried?2
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Applicability of the video’s message aside, does he remind anyone else of a jacked Gilbert Gottfried?
https://youtu.be/qq7Kkg8ly5o 2 -
Curious, how long do you all wait to adjust calories? I am 2 weeks into my 100 calorie surplus and have not seen too much, predictably and on purpose! I think perhaps 100 calories may be too small, as, theoretically, it would result in approx 1 lbs gain over a month. As a woman and a human, WOW, 1 lb of actual gain can be hard to measure! So, do you just stay the route until your lifts suffer? Fatigue builds? You look in the mirror and see no noticeable differences from one month to another?1
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@alexmose do you use a weight trend app or anything? That can help to determine small gain trends over time.
But yup 100 calories is not a lot. You could be gaining very slowly, your body could be compensating with extra activity using the extra calories and you might even be maintaining.
When I ran my first bulk back in 2014 the idea if a tiny surplus and very slow bulk was kind of frowned upon here. They claimed it was "spinning your wheels" and in a sense it could be true since you might end up maintaining, and if that is not your goal it can be frustrating.
In the end you can keep sticking with it or if you find yourself getting frustrated that you aren't gaining then add some extra calories.
That's why I tend to run 1.5-2lbs per month bulks. Right now I'm actually trying the small surplus since I don't mind if I'm maintaining/recomping a bit. As long as I'm not losing!
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I've been averaging just below 1 lb/month track and my average calories reflect that but it's come with some noise in the data. I also don't love that R^2 value for a linear fit but here we are.
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@alexmose do you use a weight trend app or anything? That can help to determine small gain trends over time.
But yup 100 calories is not a lot. You could be gaining very slowly, your body could be compensating with extra activity using the extra calories and you might even be maintaining.
When I ran my first bulk back in 2014 the idea if a tiny surplus and very slow bulk was kind of frowned upon here. They claimed it was "spinning your wheels" and in a sense it could be true since you might end up maintaining, and if that is not your goal it can be frustrating.
In the end you can keep sticking with it or if you find yourself getting frustrated that you aren't gaining then add some extra calories.
That's why I tend to run 1.5-2lbs per month bulks. Right now I'm actually trying the small surplus since I don't mind if I'm maintaining/recomping a bit. As long as I'm not losing!
Hi There! Yep, I use happy scale. Can see the .5-1lb leap up 2 weeks ago when I started the bulk. Has been stable this past week. I am probably going to keep with these cals until my performance suffers maybe or just add another 100 in 2 weeks. That way, I get a full month of fluctuations to see what I have "gained"...or "maintained"....sigh this is complicated.0 -
Happy Halloween
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My dynamic duo.
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Here’s a better one of he and I.
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Omg I love all the kiddos! Sooo cute!!
I had an Elsa, AJ(from Blaze and the Monster Machines) and a little skeleton 
And @steveko89 you look awesome!
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I’m a beginner in bulk mode, just eating whatever I want, 3k calories a day at 150lbs, 50% carbs, 30% fat, 20% protein.
I’m 3 months into my bulk and I’m up 13.3lbs. They are pretty clean gains, then again I’m a beginner and naturally an ectomorph body type.1 -
Also coming close to the three month mark (82 days since data inflection point) and up just under 4lbs. Did a skulpt scan today and I’m allegedly right at the same 11.1-11.3%BF since 9/1. Qualitatively, I’m feeling broader/fuller but a little more fluffy in my trouble spots than I’d prefer. Trying to not let it bother me and stay the course. A few weeks ago I cranked up calories a little after weight had leveled off and even dipped a little though I may have swung the pendulum too far. Thoughts?
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@steveko89 sounds like you are bulking right! Try not to overthink it. Just keep regular tabs on your weight and measurements and make sure they don't go too crazy.
Keep it up 1 -
Do you guys reduce calories during de-loads? JW, as I am currently in isolation and taking this as a deload with just bodyweight and 2 lower weight dumbbells.0
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Do you guys reduce calories during de-loads? JW, as I am currently in isolation and taking this as a deload with just bodyweight and 2 lower weight dumbbells.
Lifting is such a small calorie burn that I wouldn't usually consider it worthwhile to try and adjust calories for the week or two that most people do deloads. However, if you're in lockdown and you're going to be there for weeks then you might need to adjust your calories but that will be apparent from your weight trend during that time.2 -
Do you guys reduce calories during de-loads? JW, as I am currently in isolation and taking this as a deload with just bodyweight and 2 lower weight dumbbells.
Like Gary said, I wouldn’t think you’d need to. You’re still getting some stimuli and your TDEE probably isn’t that different.3 -
Thank you my friends 1
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Sadly, just pulled my back so I'll be backing off the strength training for a bit, as it hurts to pick anything up. I am going to attempt to keep up the walking/steps with new shoes coming in Monday!3
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I have discovered that bulking and cutting is bull crap. It really only benefits drug users because they have artificially high rates of protein synthesis. Plus yo-yo dieting and crash diets are not healthy. It's best to just stay at a healthy weight. You will put on muscle plus you will lean out. Instead of just putting on muscle that is covered with fat.
Also, the the insane amounts of protein people keep pushing is a myth as well for natural people. Again, this is for drug users. The majority of muscle building advice trickles down from pro bodybuilders and that of course is for druggies who don't have a healthy life style. I've read that there are many people who claim to be natural but really aren't. The whole fitness industry is a big illusion like anything else. They care about $$$ because it's a business.
http://www.stormbodyfitness.com/why-bulking-just-doesnt-work/
https://propanefitness.com/optimalproteinmyth/
There are more article out there. I had one bookmarked and the other I did a quick search on.0 -
Are you a bodybuilder? Do you have experience doing any of the things Greg speaks about? I am just genuinely curious because there is no one size fits all for everyone, different things work for different people.
That's exactly the point of the video. If you pay attention to the information provided and not jump to conclusions about the person providing it you will see that you can achieve your goals either way. I just want people to understand the dangers of bulking to an unhealthy weight and then cutting back which leads to eating disorders.
As I mentioned in the other thread, do you think I could have reached my goals starting at almost underweight to get to 135lbs without bulking/gaining weight? I'm not saying recomp doesn't have a place but for certain people bulking is a very helpful and sometimes necessary way of gaining muscle.
And am I supposed to listen to a non-natural bodybuilder, who has clearly run many bulks over his life, telling me to recomp and not bulk. Ha. I'm confused is all.
Anyways this is a thread I started to gather people who are bulking. If you want to debate bulking there is a debate section for that
Thanks.
@tictoerest Sal is that you? I'm just going to quote myself again. Please feel free to check out my physique and tell me how I would have reached by goals without gaining starting from almost underweight.
Why are you so adamant about telling people not to bulk? Again it is a very specific path for very specific goals. I am lean enough I don't need to be leaner. That is why I'm bulking
I am trying to connect with people on the same path as I am. Please feel free to share your results here if you want.
Sigh.
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And just for fun here is a series of progress photos, left is when I just I started lifting, before bulking, right is after several bulk/cut cycles. 12-15lbs heavier on the right. I don't know how I would get there without gaining. Magic perhaps
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If you can believe it, it was from a home workout and 2 20lb DBs doing some RDLs! I knew I can kick my own butt in isolation but damn1 -
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@sardelsa No, I'm not Sal.
Gaining weight because you're underweight is a different subject. That's why I said, "It's best to just stay at a healthy weight." What I'm talking about is the cycle of bulking and cutting which is nonsense. People will yo yo diet where they fatten up and then lower their calorie intake to get rid of the fat so their muscles will show, but this is not necessary for drug free people. If you're underweight then you should raise you calorie intake to whatever is a healthy amount for your figure.
I was thinking I needed to bulk, but then I figured out it doesn't make sense and I was having wishful thinking like so many other people trying to pack on muscle. I'm around a normal weight for my size. I do need to lean out though. My body fat is above normal. So I went back to my regular calorie intake and I'm trying to eat healthier. I will continue my progression with weight lifting.
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tictoerest wrote: »@sardelsa No, I'm not Sal.
Gaining weight because you're underweight is a different subject. That's why I said, "It's best to just stay at a healthy weight." What I'm talking about is the cycle of bulking and cutting which is nonsense. People will yo yo diet where they fatten up and then lower their calorie intake to get rid of the fat so their muscles will show, but this is not necessary for drug free people. If you're underweight then you should raise you calorie intake to whatever is a healthy amount for your figure.
I was thinking I needed to bulk, but then I figured out it doesn't make sense and I was having wishful thinking like so many other people trying to pack on muscle. I'm around a normal weight for my size. I do need to lean out though. My body fat is above normal. So I went back to my regular calorie intake and I'm trying to eat healthier. I will continue my progression with weight lifting.
You have to consider one's goals and current physique before making such a statement. If one has a good muscle base and already lean, then a recomp may work. But if a person is under-muscled than a bulk is going to be ideal. Bulking isn't just eating donuts all day long. It does involve eating a well balanced diet.2
hope it's nothing serious and it heals up fast 
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