Surprised with Bulking Requirements?

[Hunttarded]

Anyone else surprised with how much they need to eat to bulk up?

I was eating 2,700 but just started weighing myself on a weekly basis (as of last week) and my weight has remained the same. I'm so surprised that 2,700 can't make me gain at 141lbs, sedentary. I should have predicted it though because my lifts are only going up a couple reps each workout. Going to aim for 3,000 now - more PB&Co for me.

[HealingHands8]

5.2k checking in

[beau042]

4200 checking in. Feelfullman.jpeg

[Hunttarded]

4200 checking in. Feelfullman.jpeg

5.2k checking in

You guys sedentary?

[ironwill2008]

Anyone else surprised with how much they need to eat to bulk up?

Yep; constantly. Over the years, I'd reach a body weight plateau, and think, "Geez, I'm already eating 'X' amount of calories; surely that's enough. Must be some other reason why I'm stalled."

But then, I'd eventually come to my senses, and start forcing an additional couple hundred calories a day down my pie hole, and, voila! I'd "magically" bust through the plateau and start gaining a little more weight.




It's always worth repeating; If you aren't gaining weight, regardless of how much you're already eating, you're not eating enough.

[Hunttarded]

It's always worth repeating; If you aren't gaining weight, regardless of how much you're already eating, you're not eating enough.

I guess it just goes to show how the TDEE calculators are a reference at best. I suppose another factor is that I'm still growing.

[CanadianEric]

I can bulk on a 300 calorie surplus easily. Cutting is the hard part for me. If I ate 4 or 5 thousand calories a day I'd be a blimp by week's end.

[ironwill2008]

I guess it just goes to show how the TDEE calculators are a reference at best. I suppose another factor is that I'm still growing.

Again, yep. There are a multitude of factors involved in how much someone needs to eat in order to carry enough of a surplus to cause the body to do something it really doesn't want to do in the first place-- add muscle mass. That's why it's always stated that once a baseline calorie/macro plan is in place, it has to be evaluated every 3-4 weeks.






I've always found it interesting to read comments from overweight guys having trouble with eating less, stating that they wished they had that problem--not being able to eat "enough." They'd very likely change their tune after just a couple of weeks of having to literally cram food down their throats multiple times per day, and think about having to do the very same thing every day, every week, every month, every year.

[racedoc]

They'd very likely change their tune after just a couple of weeks of having to literally cram food down their throats multiple times per day, and think about having to do the very same thing every day, every week, every month, every year.

That nails it IW. I finally took yours (and others) advice and bumped up the calories about a year ago after many years of hypocaloric hell to "keep my abs" with min/no advancement in the weight room. This year has brought more gains than ever in my life with minimal but acceptable gains in BF%, but as you state, it does take conscious effort (with help from myfitness pal) to jam in that extra amount of calories to get there. Great post.

[andrebosis]

Maan i wish i had a high metabolism

[ironwill2008]

Maan i wish i had a high metabolism

And before I reached 200 lean pounds after 11 years of cramming down nearly 5000 calories every day of my life, and having to do it in 8 meals just to be able to keep it all down, every day of my life, just so I'd have enough of a surplus to maybe put on 4-5 pounds in a freakin' year, I thought the same thing.


Careful what you wish for; you might get it.

[andrebosis]

And before I reached 200 lean pounds after 11 years of cramming down nearly 5000 calories every day of my life, and having to do it in 8 meals just to be able to keep it all down, every day of my life, just so I'd have enough of a surplus to maybe put on 4-5 pounds in a freakin' year, I thought the same thing.


Careful what you wish for; you might get it.

Im gaining weight on 2200 calories, basically hungry all day ... wanna trade metabolism?

[ironwill2008]

Im gaining weight on 2200 calories, basically hungry all day ... wanna trade metabolism?

No. Since I retired from a very physical job 6 years ago, my calorie requirements have been cut nearly in half. Meals are much more manageable now.

[Prednisone666]

yep. don't have much lbm, small frame, student, etc...calculators put me at 2700 to bulk...yet my weight gain stalled on 3600 calories, after taking a year to go up ~15 pounds. 2700 calories is lower than what I started my brief cut on lol

[Hunttarded]

yep. don't have much lbm, small frame, student, etc...calculators put me at 2700 to bulk...yet my weight gain stalled on 3600 calories, after taking a year to go up ~15 pounds. 2700 calories is lower than what I started my brief cut on lol

More food, can't complain I guess.

[sloanKA]

i am surprised as well. after almost cutting for a year to lose weight, i started bulking to actually build some muscle since I'm pretty much skinny fat. I eat around 3000 a day when I lift. My diet has almost reverted back to my old eating habits when i was fat, but i've only gained about 8 pounds over a three month period. If I didn't eat dirty i'm not sure how I would gain any weight.

[Hunttarded]

If I didn't eat dirty i'm not sure how I would gain any weight.

Having a big bowl of ice cream tonight, sure as hell can't complain!

[Gxp23]

If im hungry and need to go over my cals I just eat, Im gaining like 4lbs every 6-8 weeks anyway haha.

[sloanKA]

Having a big bowl of ice cream tonight, sure as hell can't complain!

yeah i'm sure someone will call me out for that statement, but eating some dirty things to help finish you out for the day in moderation shouldn't be that bad of a thing.

[Hunttarded]

yeah i'm sure someone will call me out for that statement, but eating some dirty things to help finish you out for the day in moderation shouldn't be that bad of a thing.

Nah, lots of people hit their macros with ice cream etc. In my opinion it's healthier to not restrict anyways; I used to and it didn't end very well. Everything in moderation imo.

[big_dippin]

Not me. I've been fat for far to long. I smell something good and I gain 5 pounds.