dpr73 Member

Perfect. So based off my weight trend, adding 300 is a worthy place to start. In the past, I have struggled with seeing these bulks through, due to fear of fat gain. But assuming that a minimal increase will cause some but nothing too damaging then I will do my best to follow through this time.

So to summarize, if I were to try to put some lean weight on I should try 2700 daily. Seeing as I currently eat about 2400-2450 calories, that has me at 250-300 above what I'm eating now (with weekends more lax on counting). Of course, right now I'm slowly losing weight, probably 0.25lbs per week, but really it's so slow I…

I 100% agree that 2400 is too little. I'm just finding that out now. I am relatively new to running so am not used to the extra calorie burn it provides. I probably underestimated how much it adds. I agree with starting midweek. It just would mess me up. My weight loss scares me, though it isn't profound yet, which is why…

I am male and currently on 2400-2450. So increase at least to 2550? Do you typically wait until a fresh week? I know this weekend will be more lax with counting anyway

I am going to PM you

You're very correct. I do need to get over that hurdle. Also, when I do reading, I see a lot of talk about beginners vs. intermediate vs. advanced. Given my lifts (listed above) and that I've been lifting consistently for about 5 years or 6 years now, would I be considered intermediate or am I still beginner because I…

I have read that thread time and again. For some reason that FFB syndrome is pretty tightly ingrained in my psyche. I go on a roller coaster of "I look great as is don't want to ruin it" (which I do think it generally true) and "I could get stronger and maybe even make my appearance even better" (which is probably also…

Thanks again for the information. Additionally, how should I balance social life while bulking. When maintaining, o tend to have more fun because on weekends I will usually not count about one meal on Saturday and Sunday. I save up around 1200-1400 calories for these meals out and it allows me to go out and enjoy my…

Okay thank you. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to appropriately think about this hulk so I can be successful? As I said before I typically get a bit scared of ruining what I've already worked hard to achieve in my current physique (lost 70lbs to get here) and end up quitting. So a better mindset is a must before I…

Well the other wrinkle is I have recently taken up running which I found I enjoy...twice a week of 3-4.5 miles. Otherwise I think I have a fairly good program (the running is a killer for bulks I know) as I follow strong lifts

I'm male. So I guess it does look like maintenance. If I were to stay at this slight elevation where increased movement and heat are dissipating excess calories will I eventually begin to build steadily over time?

Bump for feedback

Okay. Thank you for your help! Back to my original post... On the Saturdays when you go out, do you try to be more cautious or try to, if anything, go over your surplus?

Okay. Do I need to come to terms with growing out of all of my current pants (waist). Or should my waist not grow THAT much?

Thanks for the tips. What is the best way to ensure you don't look pudgy by the end of the building phase? I am fine with building nice and slow to minimize fat gains (I have no rush, honestly). It's not so much that I am afraid of cutting, but I don't like the thought of growing out of all of my clothing and putting on…

See post above. Forgot to quote you

I was steadily losing weight on 2300 calories recently, which spurred me to attempt a lean bulk again. So I estimate my TDEE to be about 2500 (though MFP informs me to bulk at 2500). I eat about 2700-2750 a day, macro goals: P-155g (at least 135g), carbs-345g, fats- 85. My lifting program follows a body split (Chest,…

Okay so I probably learned a lot from you. How did you go about getting to where you are now? I’d like to get up to a lean 155-160 and assess from there but as a FFB I always have hang ups about the process.

So I am just starting with a muscle gain routine, eating 2700-2750 calories weekly. This is estimated to be about 250-300 calories or so above TDEE (23 y/o, 139lbs, 67.5 in, approx. 60 minutes of exercise 5 times a week as a lightly active student). Is this an ideal weight of gain? I have attempted bulks before, but…

Great. I know it’s probably strange but a hectic schedule kind of has changed things nowadays

Thanks man! I agree. I am totally happy with my physique but I do tend to hold high standards and am ready to push myself a bit further. I think I am gonna go on one more slow and steady bulk/cut and see if that reveals them and go from there. If I can't get what I am looking for though I may just switch to maintaining.

Thanks for the feedback. I have to disagree that I am skinny fat because of my own comparison to pictures online of BF% and because of the very nutrient dense diet and exercise regiment I follow day to day. I do think I need to increase muscle mass but I need to get over the fear of getting "fat" again. I think I am at a…

How many calories does one typically do to recomp? I have been keeping at maintenance for 4 years pretty much now but have not revealed them yet. This is why I am considering the surplus. Also with a waist size at 27-28 I am not sure where the fat is hiding if I am somehow above 15% BF, I honestly don't think I have fat to…

Thanks. I know one doesn't get huge by mistake but I don't want to end up fat. I was there before and don't even want to come close to that level of unhealthiness again. A FFB complex, essentially (and yes I have read all the articles about FFB's and spinning my wheels etc...)

I don't really want to "add mass" I just want to fill out a bit more and add some abs to my frame. I don't want to get huge, but a bit more muscle and some abs would be nice. Also, do you have incite ito my two questions (above)?

I guess I figured if I cut back down I would accomplish a quicker "recomp" by dropping body fat slowly, but I would have expected to reveal abs after my second time of doing this process and it hasn't happened. So I think maybe a full on bulk cut cycle may need to happen. Two questions: + do you guys typically terminate a…

I think that's my most major hangup that keeps my spinning my wheels. I keep thinking I've missed the chance to build abs and muscle because I've been going for four years now and don't want to risk finding out that's the case and then get stuck losing what I currently have. Weirdthought process I know but I think it's the…

Jim Stoppani's Shortcut to Size or the past 9 months or so. But I am welcome to try a new lifting program if you have sugfestions. One reason I haven't done something like 5x5 training is cause I also use weight lifting as a stress release and so going to the gym for a short period of time and not getting a bigger release…

I just think the picture doesn't do it justice cause that's definitely something I have. I can see them al up and down my arms and on my chest especially when lifting. A physician had actually recently commented on my vascularity the other day haha

I am trying to hit a daily target to 2500 and getmy weight up. But justneed to figure out the best bulk/cut cycle from here to maintain my physique overall but while also adding the muscle slowly. Like I said, I like the current physique but want to reveal the abs, so something slow and sensible is fine with me.