Follow the Numbers or go by hunger (Bulk)

[chicagojosh]

Hey all,

So, I've been counting calories and macros for a about a week or so (I used to but stopped, getting back on board recently). Yesterday I left my calorie sheet at work. I had not yet subtotaled where I was for the day. So, when I got home I didn't know how much (and of what) to eat to hit my macros. So, I just went on hunger. without getting into macro detail, I ended up consuming 4,200 calories. I was trying to do 3,200 - 3,500 for a lean bulk. So, now my question is should I keep topping out at 3,500 or if my body is hungry for those extra 700 calories should I consume them? current weight 175, approx. 12% BF, 6' tall, 31 y/o.

Thanks! Josh

[HealingHands8]

Base your caloric intake on TDEE, not hunger.

[cls91]

Some people do use satiety as a guide to their food intake, but I wouldn't recommend it for optimal results. Different foods, nutrients, timing of meals, and the size of those meals can strongly affect satiety, so its possible for you to eat over your target intake and still be hungry, or to eat under your target intake and be full. If you want optimal results I'd recommend weighing and tracking.

[Dielikeadog]

Up to you, I hate stressing over numbers. I prefer to just lift and enjoy my food when I m hungry. But im only 170 soooo...

[WonderPug]

Using satiety and rational food selection is an effective strategy for those with a well functioning hemostat.

[beastlymandude]

Tracking calories/macros is, by no means, necessary to reach your goals. But, it can be a very useful tool to gauge and control how much you're eating on a daily/weekly basis. Plus, it's the most efficient way to reach the desired outcome, like cls91 said.

But if you're not competing, there's no need to worry about every single gram of food you ingest. Like WonderPug said, if you're in tune with your body and its needs, eating in accordance to hunger and satiety is just fine. You can always keep an eye on the scale (to see a general trend in weight change), refer to the mirror, and go by your output in the gym.

[chicagojosh]

Thank you all for the replies. My TDEE is between 2800 and 3200 depending on how I measure my exercise level, so I was trying to eat above it but only by few hundred calories. Seems like most of you would go by the numbers, but some feel hunger is and ok way to judge it as well...

[HealingHands8]

Using satiety and rational food selection is an effective strategy for those with a well functioning hemostat.

Thank you all for the replies. My TDEE is between 2800 and 3200 depending on how I measure my exercise level, so I was trying to eat above it but only by few hundred calories. Seems like most of you would go by the numbers, but some feel hunger is and ok way to judge it as well...

Basing on hunger is fine for keeping a healthy, stable weight. However it is highly unlikely someone will reach their bodybuilding goals based on hunger.

[DisturbedNatty]

Depends on the person. I'd count cals. I can easily eat 1000+ over maintenance before I start feeling satisfied.