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I'm 5'6" and weighed 121 lbs when I started trying to bulk up. Now I am up to 138 but my bodyfat % has also gone up from 9% to 14%. I don't want my bodyfat % to go up any higher but I also don't want to cut and lose the weight I tried so hard to gain.
So I'm wondering what would happen if I continue to workout the way I have been doing but now also eat at maintenance. Would I be able to maintain my weight while at the same time lowering my bodyfat %?
you may be able to, some people can do it.
imo you should clean bulk, thats what you should have done in the first place. eat 200-300 cals over maintanence, i.e. aim for 1/2 lb per week weight increase.
hope that helps
why? Is it harder to build muscle eating at maintenance?
[QUOTE=jy006m;254672551]why? Is it harder to build muscle eating at maintenance?[/QUOTE]
Yes :). If your bf% went up that much, along with your weight, then you're doing something wrong. Chances are that your carb intake is too high, along with an overall calorie surplus. This is only a guess, ans is simply based on your age and possible eating habits :).
Don't panic yet, and your bf% calculation is probably bull**** anyway. You need to get your daily allowance of P, C & F to levels that work for [i]you[/i].
Caloric excess is needed to increase mass, so I would say so.
caloric excess is needed in highly trained lean individuals to increase mass.
[QUOTE=Bioteknik;254679641]caloric excess is needed in highly trained lean individuals to increase mass.[/QUOTE]
^^ more true, those who are new to training or aren't as lean can increase LBM by eating maintenance. My mistake :).
But eating in moderate excess in this situation would yield better mass results, no?
Definitely better. I'm just pedantic, pointing out that it isn't required, but is more ideal.