First time BULKERS apply here ;)

[andrerox80]

So I've been tracking everything i eat just to make sure I'm taking in enough (which most days i am) On some days though i'm at the end of the day (like 8 or 9pm) and notice I've only eaten maybe 1500 cals so i eat another 400 clean meal. Will the fact that i'm eating lets say p.p., cereal and pb before bed have any effect on how i will gain the weight? Will that more likely go as fat storage? I'm going to try and add more to my day meals just haven't gotten it all down yet.

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful and dealing with my questions

not at all!! doesn't matter how much or what you eat at night. i like eating right before bed but it disturbs some people's sleep, unless it's something small. if this is the easiest way to get the cals in, it's fine, but i'm guessing you'd prefer to have them during the day. can you plan a little?

i really like that you notice you're falling short and make up for it. that's a triumph. woo.

i am doing well w/ bulking lately. mentally. a shift. have been consistently gaining some, and instead of shying away, i'm embracing it and increasing cals a little more. def hope this lasts, but also not naive, so taking advantage of it (like increasing the foods) while i'm like this.

[ms_mac]

So I've been tracking everything i eat just to make sure I'm taking in enough (which most days i am) On some days though i'm at the end of the day (like 8 or 9pm) and notice I've only eaten maybe 1500 cals so i eat another 400 clean meal. Will the fact that i'm eating lets say p.p., cereal and pb before bed have any effect on how i will gain the weight? Will that more likely go as fat storage? I'm going to try and add more to my day meals just haven't gotten it all down yet.

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful and dealing with my questions

My biggest meal is usually right before bed.....anywhere from 400-700 cals. I have no sleep issues, actually sleep better with a full belly

[mausi79]

Nope. The only possible effect is it can give you reflux when sleeping

I would try to get more in during the day. 400 cals is a lot for a pre-bed snack. No doubt your body could use more of that food during the day.

Thanks I think my problem is i skimp during the day out of fear that i'll be hungry at night but have already filled my cals and macros. Definitely have to work on that.
So is 200 cals better for a pre-bed snack?

[mausi79]

Nope. The only possible effect is it can give you reflux when sleeping

I would try to get more in during the day. 400 cals is a lot for a pre-bed snack. No doubt your body could use more of that food during the day.

not at all!! doesn't matter how much or what you eat at night. i like eating right before bed but it disturbs some people's sleep, unless it's something small. if this is the easiest way to get the cals in, it's fine, but i'm guessing you'd prefer to have them during the day. can you plan a little?

i really like that you notice you're falling short and make up for it. that's a triumph. woo.

i am doing well w/ bulking lately. mentally. a shift. have been consistently gaining some, and instead of shying away, i'm embracing it and increasing cals a little more. def hope this lasts, but also not naive, so taking advantage of it (like increasing the foods) while i'm like this.

My sleep has been very disturbed lately but definitely not from eating....Its all the water!

Yay on embracing your bulk!

My biggest meal is usually right before bed.....anywhere from 400-700 cals. I have no sleep issues, actually sleep better with a full belly

wow ok i feel a lil better now Do you work out in the evening? My workouts are usually in the am so i guess more food should be around then?

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful!

[ms_mac]

My sleep has been very disturbed lately but definitely not from eating....Its all the water!

Yay on embracing your bulk!



wow ok i feel a lil better now Do you work out in the evening? My workouts are usually in the am so i guess more food should be around then?

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful!

Nope, I work out mid morning - around 10ish. However I find it hard to train if I eat a large meal before hand, hence the big pre bed meal and then just a small 200-300 cal breakfast before training.

[mausi79]

Nope, I work out mid morning - around 10ish. However I find it hard to train if I eat a large meal before hand, hence the big pre bed meal and then just a small 200-300 cal breakfast before training.

That's pretty much my workout time too. Usually have a 300 cal breakfast at 8 then by 11 when I'm done training I'm ready for another 300 cal meal

[mybodybliss]

Hey ladies!

I'm not sure if I need to be here or in the cutting thread so hopefully I can get some advice?(and please forgive the newbie ';cluelessness ;-)')

a little about where I'm at...
april 2010-december 2010 I lost a total of 17kgs(37.5lbs) which took me from 67kg(147.7lbs)?BF down to 50kg(110.2lbs)/20% bodyfat. I did this through ALOT of cardio, weight training 2-3 days per week(light/high rep) and keeping track of calories. You can actually check out my photos in my profile(the bikini ones) to get an idea of how this looked. problem though was that even at that weight I wasn't completely happy and on joining this website a few months ago?a few of you recommended for me to build some muscle in order to rectify my pear shape.
Since January though, I've slowly put on 2.5-3kg(5.5-6.6lbs),now 52.5-53kg(115-116lbs/22%BF). Only in the last 5 weeks though have I been lifting heavy with lower reps(week 5 of 12 week Female training bible).

So I have a question...
1) do I concentrate on maintaining my current weight until I finish the remainder of my programme OR can I consider slowly cutting from next week(week 6) OR do I keep on bulking until the end of the program? I'm really not feeling too comfortable with putting on any more weight and feel as fluffy as I could care to go!

I am already noticing that my strength is greatly improving and I'm also seeing some muscle gain.

where to from here? hopefully in your wisdom you can point me in the right direction :-)

Thanks, Monique xx

[dreahere]

I have no sleep issues, actually sleep better with a full belly

Me too. Especially if I eat something not terribly high in volume, but high in calories and fat. Peanut butter or cheese right before bed = win.

[toodlepip]

Hey ladies!

I'm not sure if I need to be here or in the cutting thread so hopefully I can get some advice?(and please forgive the newbie ';cluelessness ;-)')

a little about where I'm at...
april 2010-december 2010 I lost a total of 17kgs(37.5lbs) which took me from 67kg(147.7lbs)?BF down to 50kg(110.2lbs)/20% bodyfat. I did this through ALOT of cardio, weight training 2-3 days per week(light/high rep) and keeping track of calories. You can actually check out my photos in my profile(the bikini ones) to get an idea of how this looked. problem though was that even at that weight I wasn't completely happy and on joining this website a few months ago?a few of you recommended for me to build some muscle in order to rectify my pear shape.
Since January though, I've slowly put on 2.5-3kg(5.5-6.6lbs),now 52.5-53kg(115-116lbs/22%BF). Only in the last 5 weeks though have I been lifting heavy with lower reps(week 5 of 12 week Female training bible).

So I have a question...
1) do I concentrate on maintaining my current weight until I finish the remainder of my programme OR can I consider slowly cutting from next week(week 6) OR do I keep on bulking until the end of the program? I'm really not feeling too comfortable with putting on any more weight and feel as fluffy as I could care to go!

I am already noticing that my strength is greatly improving and I'm also seeing some muscle gain.

where to from here? hopefully in your wisdom you can point me in the right direction :-)

Thanks, Monique xx

What is your ultimate goal?

I think you look fantastic. Instead of bulking/cutting why don't you recomp - maintain and continue to lift heavy and increase strength & muscle gains?

[Freak4Fitness]

What is your ultimate goal?

I think you look fantastic. Instead of bulking/cutting why don't you recomp - maintain and continue to lift heavy and increase strength & muscle gains?

I don't think you need to cut your weight seems right on par for you...

Continue to lift heavy, increasing weight! Work it gurl!

[take.it.off]

Hey guys,

I've been building now for just over a month and so far I feel pretty good about it. I think I've stayed on the leaner side, and I certainly see big changes in my upper body (as do other people), so I I think I am on track. The only crappy part is the little tummy gain, but I know it's temporary. I can also tell my abdomen has gotten thicker - but I am actually kind of happy about it because I was purposely trying to do that in order to stretch some of my loose skin.

Anyways, if you want to check out my diet, I have it posted here: http://watchmemelt.weebly.com/diet.html

I am being VERY strategic about my diet and I think it is helping:
- protein spread out evenly throughout day
- no more than 5g of fat pre & post workout & the rest spread out evenly amongst the other meals
- 25% of carbs for the day at breakfast, 25% of carbs pre workout and 25% of carbs post workout, and the rest evenly spread out amongst the remaining meals.
- Almost entirely Dairy free, gluten free and wheat free (a new thing I'm trying that im loving so far - more energy, less bloat, better digestion etc.)

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the oatmeal in the plan at the link above, was only temporary as I needed to use up my big bag lol. I replaced that with Quinoa now. And the only trace dairy in my diet is in my protein powder.

As for training, I'm hitting it hard and heavy and trying to increase weights weekly or bi-weekly. I'm tracking everything and making great strength gains.

Here are some progress pics so far.

[shan123]

im oh so jealous of you ladies right now....was just staring a cake in the work breakroom wishing i were back to my bulking days, enjoy it ladies. im back to my cutting diet, cant wait to see what lies beneath all the extra fluff ive gained

[AprilShowers13]

Hey guys,

I've been building now for just over a month and so far I feel pretty good about it. I think I've stayed on the leaner side, and I certainly see big changes in my upper body (as do other people), so I I think I am on track. The only crappy part is the little tummy gain, but I know it's temporary. I can also tell my abdomen has gotten thicker - but I am actually kind of happy about it because I was purposely trying to do that in order to stretch some of my loose skin.

Anyways, if you want to check out my diet, I have it posted here: http://watchmemelt.weebly.com/diet.html

I am being VERY strategic about my diet and I think it is helping:
- protein spread out evenly throughout day
- no more than 5g of fat pre & post workout & the rest spread out evenly amongst the other meals
- 25% of carbs for the day at breakfast, 25% of carbs pre workout and 25% of carbs post workout, and the rest evenly spread out amongst the remaining meals.
- Dairy free, gluten free and wheat free (a new thing I'm trying that im loving so far - more energy, less bloat, better digestion etc.)

As for training, I'm hitting it hard and heavy and trying to increase weights weekly or bi-weekly. I'm tracking everything and making great strength gains.

Here are some progress pics so far.

Sounds like you are doing good so far. I'll be following your dairy-free diet for updates.

[andrerox80]

take.it.off - i love the 3rd pic.

[mybodybliss]

What is your ultimate goal?

I think you look fantastic. Instead of bulking/cutting why don't you recomp - maintain and continue to lift heavy and increase strength & muscle gains?

thanks so much for taking the time to reply :-) that was actually what I instinctively was wanting to do(re-comp) so it's great to have that confirmation! If I am recomping at the moment then being 5 weeks in to my program, do I then cut back a little at completion of the program in order to 'see' the definition?

My 'ultimate goal' is to have a beautifully balanced and lean body and I'd love to lose the saddlebags and booty fat :-( Basically I want to be tiny but muscular with femine curves(eg:sports model?)
I've posted up some photos I took last night of my 'problem areas' and .
you'll see from them where my concerns lie. Any further advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

[mybodybliss]

I don't think you need to cut your weight seems right on par for you...

Continue to lift heavy, increasing weight! Work it gurl!

thanks for the encouragment! certainly what I need to hear right now :-) and thanks for the advice.
Btw, where's the re-comp thread?

[take.it.off]

Sounds like you are doing good so far. I'll be following your dairy-free diet for updates.

take.it.off - i love the 3rd pic.

Thanks ladies!!

[Barefoot_Zosia]

A good ten pounds would be great. I'd only worry about gaining too fast if I started getting a beer gut after a few weeks

2250 should be a very good starting point for you. Initial gains will come quick as you fill your glycogen stores and get some carb bloating. I think I was gaining close to 1 pound a week for the first couple of months. Started at 109# too.

You've been eating 2250 for a few weeks and haven't felt a change?? You should have by now. Maybe you need to revisit your lifting and cardio routine. Do you get enough sleep?

I wouldn't tweak the calories for 6 weeks or so. Unless you start losing weight

Freebird -

Thanks so much for the feedback. It really helps to hear from someone who started at about the same point as me, and has made such progress. It's also reassuring to hear that I shouldn't worry if weight gain happens more quickly at first. Seeing my weight spike ~3lbs in two weeks was freaking me out a bit. I know the numbers are supposed to go up over time, but I still have some hangups about gaining bodyfat so I don't want to gain TOO fast and have it all be fat. I'll try to just stay away from the scale for a few more weeks... give it time, give it time, give it time. Dammit, I'm so impatient! I want lean muscle now!

It looks like I spoke a little too soon about not seeing any increase in energy & strength... Wednesday's lift session was SLAMMIN. I don't know if it was the extra food, being antsy from sitting on my butt all day at work, the extra encouragement from you, or a combination thereof, but I was thrilled regardless! We'll see if tomorrow goes as well.

[mausi79]

So yesterday i was having problems reaching my cals and macros. Buuuuut today i may have went over more than i was supposed to with some whip cream, strawberries, a mini molten lava cake and a scoop of ice cream on the side. Was already at 1600 before that..so i kinda lost track. I did split it with my friend and son though
I mean i know I'm supposed to be bulking but i feel gross!

Sorry just had to rant a lil.

[andrerox80]

So yesterday i was having problems reaching my cals and macros. Buuuuut today i may have went over more than i was supposed to with some whip cream, strawberries, a mini molten lava cake and a scoop of ice cream on the side. Was already at 1600 before that..so i kinda lost track. I did split it with my friend and son though
I mean i know I'm supposed to be bulking but i feel gross!

Sorry just had to rant a lil.

if you went over, it's totally fine. really. but hard mentally when you're just starting. but is today a workout day? b/c it would probably make your workout even better. maybe make it a legs day, the toughest. molten lava cake sounds so yummy! hope you enjoyed it. it's nice that you went out w/ your friend and son. how old is your son? are you like me where treats make you feel kinda crappy and need "healthy" food, even though you have plenty of room for the not-as-healthy foods and know it won't negatively affect your physique or make you gain more fat than muscle? it's silly, but whatever works. or did you mean you feel kinda gross in terms of physically feeling more full or something?

[mausi79]

if you went over, it's totally fine. really. but hard mentally when you're just starting. but is today a workout day? b/c it would probably make your workout even better. maybe make it a legs day, the toughest. molten lava cake sounds so yummy! hope you enjoyed it. it's nice that you went out w/ your friend and son. how old is your son? are you like me where treats make you feel kinda crappy and need "healthy" food, even though you have plenty of room for the not-as-healthy foods and know it won't negatively affect your physique or make you gain more fat than muscle? it's silly, but whatever works. or did you mean you feel kinda gross in terms of physically feeling more full or something?

We're so much alike! Eating that just made me feel crappy because it wasn't "healthy food". Although the bloat from the dairy added to the gross feeling.....bloat always makes me feel fatter. This is all just mentally hard.
Unfortunately tues was my leg day and yesterday was back and bi's so that leaves today with abs and cardio (only walking) but i am going to be doing pretty strenuous yard work as well. The lawn needs mowing and the backyard needs major cleanup from my overly large dogs ewwwww!

Oh and my lil guy..he's 9 and the best!

[toodlepip]

thanks so much for taking the time to reply :-) that was actually what I instinctively was wanting to do(re-comp) so it's great to have that confirmation! If I am recomping at the moment then being 5 weeks in to my program, do I then cut back a little at completion of the program in order to 'see' the definition?

My 'ultimate goal' is to have a beautifully balanced and lean body and I'd love to lose the saddlebags and booty fat :-( Basically I want to be tiny but muscular with femine curves(eg:sports model?)
I've posted up some photos I took last night of my 'problem areas' and .
you'll see from them where my concerns lie. Any further advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

There is a recomping thread around here somewhere. Rowan is a brilliant example of how to do it. I think she recomped for ages and earlier this spring did a bit of a cut. If that's what you are interested in doing I'd follow her journal which contains a wealth of information.

I think recomping is a nice slow and steady approach - but you have to be patient. That's the killer part - the changes aren't as 'quick' as cutting/bulking phases - but they do allow you to maintain your sanity a bit better (at least that's the situation for me )

Hope you find what works for you!

[Freak17]

tight on waist or legs? regardless, i do think you should go for 5 more lbs. b/c i really don't see fat gain and your progress is awesome. i hope that's exactly how my bulk goes. you look fantastic. yeah, i am worried abt when i'll have to cut too. i have a long ways to go, but i don't wanna have to "embrace the suck!" am guessing after that, depending on how it goes, i'll recomp instead of bulk/cut. how many cals are you bulking on? what's your maintenance? maybe when you do decide to cut (i really say keep bulking for now), start w/ maintenance for a bit? like a break, and getting used to lower cals before lowering further. or just go down more slowly. but, again, i can totally see your gains.

Oh, just my thighs/legs. My waist is almost the same, that's how I mange to still fit in my old barbie pants lol. Thanks a lot, I'm glad to hear that and I'm pretty sure you'll ace your bulk, you seem to know a lot. :-) I will keep up with lifting heavy and bulking for some more and then I will have to CUT grrrr! I've never really figured my maintenance calories cause it changes depending on whether I swim/play soccer/have school/not do anything lol but for the most part I assume it's 2000 (according to the nutrients thread, it's slightly over that), the thing is I'm hypERthyroid (I found out after I started bulking) and for some reason now that I'm bulking I got used to eating +2200, I have days where I swam and would eat 3000 and still be hungry. :-/ My heart rate is always up even though I'm fit and everything and I'm always hottt!-yeah symptoms!! I'm seeing a doctor for that but other than that, I don't know.


Speaking of doctors, that old man cracked up when I told him I was bulking to gain muscle. :-8

[Freak17]

Me too. Especially if I eat something not terribly high in volume, but high in calories and fat. Peanut butter or cheese right before bed = win.

Me three! I usually have a fair dinner anywhere from 300-600cal, and when I'm cutting I go for pre-bed casein protein shake! It helps 'fill' my stomach cause it kinda thickens and it just puts me to sleep lol so I don't keep going to the fridge for snacks!!

[dreahere]

Crossposted from my journal. I'm just so excited to see my rear delt growing, I can't even stand it.

[mybodybliss]

There is a recomping thread around here somewhere. Rowan is a brilliant example of how to do it. I think she recomped for ages and earlier this spring did a bit of a cut. If that's what you are interested in doing I'd follow her journal which contains a wealth of information.

I think recomping is a nice slow and steady approach - but you have to be patient. That's the killer part - the changes aren't as 'quick' as cutting/bulking phases - but they do allow you to maintain your sanity a bit better (at least that's the situation for me )

Hope you find what works for you!

thanks again! I'll check out Rowans profile and hopefully gain a little knowledge! I'm STILL trying to find the re-comp thread....anyone know what it's called?

[Freak17]

Crossposted from my journal. I'm just so excited to see my rear delt growing, I can't even stand it.

Wow, nice definition AND size! Good job. :-)

[dreahere]

Wow, nice definition AND size! Good job. :-)

Thanks! I really REALLY hate training my shoulders, so any progress there feels like a victory.

[take.it.off]

Quick question: Yesterday I weighed myself for the first time into my bulk. It's been 2 months so far and I've gained 13lbs - 7 of which are muscle and 6 are fat. I was really pleased with this. Anybody have any input into weather this is good, bad, slow, fast??? I have no idea lol. But I feel good

Current stats: 148lbs, 18.9%BF and I'm 5'7".

Thanks!

[freebirdmac]

Crossposted from my journal. I'm just so excited to see my rear delt growing, I can't even stand it.

Looks great! Keep it up

Quick question: Yesterday I weighed myself for the first time into my bulk. It's been 2 months so far and I've gained 13lbs - 7 of which are muscle and 6 are fat. I was really pleased with this. Anybody have any input into weather this is good, bad, slow, fast??? I have no idea lol. But I feel good

Current stats: 148lbs, 18.9%BF and I'm 5'7".

Thanks!

I don't know how you determined fat and muscle gains. What really matter is what you see. Are you happy? Do you feel you're gaining fat too quickly? 13 pounds is a lot in two months but a bunch of that could be glycogen and water. Ultimately you have to look in the mirror and at picts and make your own judgement call. If you like what you are seeing then you're good to go