First time BULKERS apply here ;)

[andrerox80]

You're gowear says 1400-1500??? Are you moving at all? Seriously, mine has me at least 1500 on days I just lay around napping and watching movies.

i know!! pre surgery it was more like 1800-1900 on workout days, but now, nope. pathetic. i am inactive, but still, so low? and my hypothyroidism is in check so totally not that.

[freebirdmac]

i know!! pre surgery it was more like 1800-1900 on workout days, but now, nope. pathetic. i am inactive, but still, so low? and my hypothyroidism is in check so totally not that.

If you are indeed inactive, then I'd believe it. Especially with what you have been through. But if you're hitting the gym again it should be higher on those days.

[Freak17]

Yep. Even with good lighting and poses

Good so I'm not the only one there! I don't want to get discouraged , I can see it in the mirror and that's good enough, or so I say lol. :-p

[Freak17]

i know!! pre surgery it was more like 1800-1900 on workout days, but now, nope. pathetic. i am inactive, but still, so low? and my hypothyroidism is in check so totally not that.

How long have you been like that? I'm just saying cause a while ago I was stuck with dieting and 1600 was pretty satisfying to me (I was active). When I increased my calories, I started to feel hungrier at 1700-1800 with same activity so maybe it's just a matter of your body adapting to a particular intake..?

I've got hyperthyroid.

[Ksorra]

Well I feel like I'm pmsing but I shouldn't be, I have over two weeks before I'm due for my cycle. But I'm just bummed that I'm a size 11 in juniors pants, I'm too fat to bulk right?

[Ksorra]

Good so I'm not the only one there! I don't want to get discouraged , I can see it in the mirror and that's good enough, or so I say lol. :-p

Hellz yes! I think you're making really great progress btw!

[andrerox80]

If you are indeed inactive, then I'd believe it. Especially with what you have been through. But if you're hitting the gym again it should be higher on those days.

i'm talking abt gym days. when i don't go, it's in the 1300s. i am really inactive outside of the gym. when i do go, 1600 max, but usually 14-1500. maybe it's surgery/recovery-related?

i'm not putting too much stock into it since i'm not trying to cut. i've consistently been eating over 2000 cals and should be gaining like 1 lb / week, but am not, and have been deluding myself into thinking i'm really gaining at all - have gained since being out of the hospital, but not lately. only higher weight days were after 2 binge days i had (past ed reared its ugly head). so i think i need to increase more. or know i need to. but it's so hard (mentally. am fine physically in terms of the food).

How long have you been like that? I'm just saying cause a while ago I was stuck with dieting and 1600 was pretty satisfying to me (I was active). When I increased my calories, I started to feel hungrier at 1700-1800 with same activity so maybe it's just a matter of your body adapting to a particular intake..?

I've got hyperthyroid.

yeah, maybe my body has adapted, which is still weird if i don't burn that much, but who knows. you're hyper? interesting. i'm hypo but have been on synthroid since i was 8 and get regular bloodwork done.

[freebirdmac]

Well I feel like I'm pmsing but I shouldn't be, I have over two weeks before I'm due for my cycle. But I'm just bummed that I'm a size 11 in juniors pants, I'm too fat to bulk right?

Not looking at your progress picts. No where near anything that could be called fat. I think it's all in your head. Having to wear bigger clothes is part of building muscle. You probably don't mind wearing bigger tops, right?

i'm talking abt gym days. when i don't go, it's in the 1300s. i am really inactive outside of the gym. when i do go, 1600 max, but usually 14-1500. maybe it's surgery/recovery-related?

i'm not putting too much stock into it since i'm not trying to cut. i've consistently been eating over 2000 cals and should be gaining like 1 lb / week, but am not, and have been deluding myself into thinking i'm really gaining at all - have gained since being out of the hospital, but not lately. only higher weight days were after 2 binge days i had (past ed reared its ugly head). so i think i need to increase more. or know i need to. but it's so hard (mentally. am fine physically in terms of the food).



yeah, maybe my body has adapted, which is still weird if i don't burn that much, but who knows. you're hyper? interesting. i'm hypo but have been on synthroid since i was 8 and get regular bloodwork done.

I'd suspect something is wrong with the bodymedia or you have it set up incorrectly.

[InThePocket]

I have been eating a fried egg sandwich EVERY DAY, with two eggs, 2 slices of bacon (sometimes turkey bacon, sometimes delicious bacon) on a 300 cal bagel.

Is this an acceptable meal. They pack so much punch, but is it excessive?

[freebirdmac]

I have been eating a fried egg sandwich EVERY DAY, with two eggs, 2 slices of bacon (sometimes turkey bacon, sometimes delicious bacon) on a 300 cal bagel.

Is this an acceptable meal. They pack so much punch, but is it excessive?

Sounds awesome to me!

[dreahere]

Okay, I entered the nutrition forum contest, so I am OFFICIALLY bulking for the next 18 weeks. There's no going back now.

[Snowgrrl83]

Okay, I entered the nutrition forum contest, so I am OFFICIALLY bulking for the next 18 weeks. There's no going back now.

You're brave to enter this during the summer months DO IT!! You won't regret it!

[dreahere]

You're brave to enter this during the summer months DO IT!! You won't regret it!

Eh. I'm a middle-aged woman. It's not like I planned on spending the summer in crop tops and booty shorts anyway Thanks for the encouragement!

[InThePocket]

I feel like a little kid with all my questions in here.

I put my goal for gains at 5 lbs of muscle, but it's an arbitrary number for me. I have no clue what that will look like on my frame, or how long it will take.

as a newbie I don't really know how to set weight gain goals. brb to check the stickies.

Is 5 lbs a good starting goal?

[freebirdmac]

Eh. I'm a middle-aged woman. It's not like I planned on spending the summer in crop tops and booty shorts anyway Thanks for the encouragement!

LMAO!!! Now there is a great attitude

I feel like a little kid with all my questions in here.

I put my goal for gains at 5 lbs of muscle, but it's an arbitrary number for me. I have no clue what that will look like on my frame, or how long it will take.

as a newbie I don't really know how to set weight gain goals. brb to check the stickies.

Is 5 lbs a good starting goal?

Shoot for gaining 1-2 pounds a month and leave it at that for now

[take.it.off]

My cals, fats and carbs are officially on the rise - movin on up! Getting ready to enter into my bulk phase

[powerbarsssssss]

andddddddd month one is DONE. 2 more weeks of my routine, then 2 weeks of a deload, then I start my quad/shoulder specialization

[KasaraBrianne]

andddddddd month one is DONE. 2 more weeks of my routine, then 2 weeks of a deload, then I start my quad/shoulder specialization

Oh my god you look incredible! You make me want to bulk again...I may begin bulking in 5, 4, 3...

[gobbles23]

Oh my god you look incredible! You make me want to bulk again...I may begin bulking in 5, 4, 3...

Agreed!

[EntropyS]

No idea why I'm posting here but if it helps anyone then great...

For all of you trying to bulk consider adding milk to your diet. 1/4 gallon (~600 calories) to even 1/2 gallon (1200 calories) would be an amazingly easy way to gain desired weight.

Also a box of Mac and Cheese = ~1000 calories

[juliacheh]

powerbarsssssss, solid work here. Your brought up your quads nicely too.


Wish I could be bulking right now.

[EntropyS]

I feel like a little kid with all my questions in here.

I put my goal for gains at 5 lbs of muscle, but it's an arbitrary number for me. I have no clue what that will look like on my frame, or how long it will take.

as a newbie I don't really know how to set weight gain goals. brb to check the stickies.

Is 5 lbs a good starting goal?

Just imagine 5 pounds of boneless steak "stuck" to your body.

[freebirdmac]

powerbarsssssss, solid work here. Your brought up your quads nicely too.


Wish I could be bulking right now.

My sentiments exactly!!!!!

[andrerox80]

[QUOTE=powerbarsssssss;662566723]
QUOTE]

you look amazing!! i am so, so impressed. quoting your post wasn't necessary but i wanted to keep the picture going b/c it's so great! you don't know it, but that helps me wrap my head around my own need - and ever-so-slightly want (trying to increase that part!) - to bulk.

[Dee29]

Wonder what is best for someone like me, bulk or recomp? I'm low in weight but high body fat %. Apparently my calorie intake should be something like 1500-1600 for maintenance (because of the low lean mass and light activity level). So am I looking at around 1700-1800 for a bulk?

[take.it.off]

Just thought i'd update! I'm up to 1800 cals and still increasing! I'll stop at just under 2200 (as per Kim's numbers) and adjust by increments of 100 cals according to the level of gains (or lack there of).

Going to St. Lucia next Thursday, so I figure I'll hit maintenance when I'm there and come home and enter right into the build.

So far so good - making good strength gains (compared to my old deficit) and feeling more energetic! Whoot! Only downside is I'm already having 'fat' days, but I know it's in my head - I've been fat before, and this aint fat! LOL

I'm going to be the new regular here, so HELLO to everyone!

[freebirdmac]

Wonder what is best for someone like me, bulk or recomp? I'm low in weight but high body fat %. Apparently my calorie intake should be something like 1500-1600 for maintenance (because of the low lean mass and light activity level). So am I looking at around 1700-1800 for a bulk?

What does your bulking routine look like? Odds are you'll need to eat a lot more.

Just thought i'd update! I'm up to 1800 cals and still increasing! I'll stop at just under 2200 (as per Kim's numbers) and adjust by increments of 100 cals according to the level of gains (or lack there of).

Going to St. Lucia next Thursday, so I figure I'll hit maintenance when I'm there and come home and enter right into the build.

So far so good - making good strength gains (compared to my old deficit) and feeling more energetic! Whoot! Only downside is I'm already having 'fat' days, but I know it's in my head - I've been fat before, and this aint fat! LOL

I'm going to be the new regular here, so HELLO to everyone!

Enjoy your trip! And congrats on getting the cals up

[bethanyboo]

I have been eating a fried egg sandwich EVERY DAY, with two eggs, 2 slices of bacon (sometimes turkey bacon, sometimes delicious bacon) on a 300 cal bagel.

Is this an acceptable meal. They pack so much punch, but is it excessive?

YUM!! I don't see anything wrong with that. All that matters is whether or not you're meeting your macros.

[angelkisssed]

[QUOTE=andrerox80;662935881]

QUOTE]

you look amazing!! i am so, so impressed. quoting your post wasn't necessary but i wanted to keep the picture going b/c it's so great! you don't know it, but that helps me wrap my head around my own need - and ever-so-slightly want (trying to increase that part!) - to bulk.

OMG *jaw drops*

What a FANTABULOUS physique!!!!! Keep it comin' girl. You're doing AWESOME And what the OP said...I'm totally perpetuating THIS pic

[freebirdmac]

[QUOTE=angelkisssed;663397341]

OMG *jaw drops*

What a FANTABULOUS physique!!!!! Keep it comin' girl. You're doing AWESOME And what the OP said...I'm totally perpetuating THIS pic

And this is her starting point! Not ending point! I'd be so freaking thrilled to get to that stage