ktfranke Member

I am new to the bulking world as well! So this discussion is helpful!! I have had so many doubts and fears going into this season, and it's reassuring that gaining weight is okay! Thanks everyone!

Why do people have to go to such extremes when it comes to food!? Everybody has their strong dogmatic opinions, and the diet pendulum is constantly swinging either too far to the right or too far to the left! And whether it's vegan or keto, they're gunna have their "scientific evidence" to prove whatever they want to…

So far it sounds like a poor investment :/ I just tried some today before my leg workout. Too early to tell... but based off of most of your input, I just flushed $18 down the drain!

This is what I am currently doing & it's a great plan! Recomping is so much simpler and more sustainable for my lifestyle. I'm staying somewhat lean, cause I like seeing definition, but I'm eating enough to gain a little muscle too! Win win

Great resources! What an encouraging perspective!

Love that @HappyGrape thanks for sharing!!!!

I hear ya! Especially mornings for me... During a cut, I wake up feeling like I never slept. And I survive off of espresso! Lol! My workouts feel cumbersom and I don't get a great pump like when I'm running off of good fuel. I heard a quote last night in this "America Ninja Warrior," inspired show... the guy said, "I'd…

This sounds like a great plan!

Thank you all so much for your input! I feel such a sense of relief that I don't have to be extreme and fanatical about staying lean forever... I would rather be a happy, energetic and fit wife, then a grumpy, tired, super lean wife. I'm gunna try to maintain a calorie goal of 1,600-1,800 & just stay consistent with my…

Are you on a pull up program? That's fun. Seems like you till get a decent amount of strength training in with the trail training as well. What are your strength goals though? Do you train bodybuilding or strength? Both? You could have some fun there. [/quote] I don't have a specific program for the pull-ups. I bought a…

As soon as spring hits and the snow is melted, my girls friends and I start training for a trail 50K every summer! So unfortunately I'm not lifting as much as I do in the winter months. But I try to get in 3-4 days of strength training & 3 days of running/HIIT cardio! I have a few other random goals, like being able to…

Yeah, that's really my best bet. While cutting, I got down to a miserable 1,200-1,300 calories a day! My maintenance level is 1,600-1,800 with the occasional 2,000-2,300 on the weekends. But I just look "softer," and "puffier." :(

You are so right... is it worth never getting to eat a giant cheeseburger or pizza again... no way!! I love food too much! Lol! And in order to stay lean, I had to plan out all my meals (even bring my own food to restaurants)! My husband even started making comments about how I wasn't any fun anymore...

I only run 3-4 days a week, even when training for a marathon! So take it easy, and don't worry too much about exploding any personal records right away... you'll have to continue to build up your aerobic fitness & endurance, which just takes time & consistency. I would do 3 different types of runs to build…

Put on some music and have a dance party :)

Thanks :) My before picture was taken 7 years ago! I made lots of little changes over the years, but the biggest transformation happened just in this past two years when I started weight lifting, and being more intentional with my nutrition. Gaining muscle really changes your metabolism and gives you better results. I am…

I used to do countless hours of steady state cardio and never saw any body composition changes. Until I started adding weight lifting and higher protein macros to my routine! That made a huge difference!

Lifting weights & consistent exercise helps to give you the fit "shape," where often times, losing body weight keeps you looking the same just smaller. Your doing awesome btw!

I started taking CLA's... really honed in on the macros (wasn't getting enough protein). Found that sweet spot calorically where I'm in maintenance mode. And started resistance training! Made all the difference!

I'm 5'7! Started out at 165lbs and now weigh 130!

Fitting into a smaller size of jeans then I wore in high school!

There's me 7 years ago, and me today!

Old navy, target & sporting goods stores sometimes have cute stuff! You just have to know what looks good on your body.

If eating late is routine for you, then plan your meals ahead of time to fit it into your calorie goal. If you know your gunna have popcorn or a granola bar after hours, just plan for it... you can even try fasting through breakfast (because that is often a meal that's easiest to skip) and save those calories for later!…

Just bought MRM's egg white proteins powder in vanilla! Not bad!

Biggest sweetheart award

Mental toughness

I've had three babies of my own, and my tummy still isn't as tight as I'd like... but it takes time and consistency! Keep up the good work!

Strength training will definitely help make you look more toned and tight. Don't focus on the scale as much and focus more on your actually body composition... building muscle which will later on help you burn more fat... I usually try to do a little mini cut every 6-9 months but otherwise I just keep on plugging away at…

Craziest selfie