Switching From Cut to Bulk

[SMB2003]

So I am getting ready to come off of a cut and was debating slowly increasing calories by 100-150 per week (for 4 weeks) until I reach maintenance or going straight to maintenance.... Does either approach make a difference?

I was thinking of going with the first approach as I still have 4 lbs to go and figured I could do double duty....slowly increase calories and still drop a little fat, just at a slower rate. So far I have been dropping between 1-1.5 lbs per week.

[shirun]

So I am getting ready to come off of a cut and was debating slowly increasing calories by 100-150 per week (for 4 weeks) until I reach maintenance or going straight to maintenance.... Does either approach make a difference?

I was thinking of going with the first approach as I still have 4 lbs to go and figured I could do double duty....slowly increase calories and still drop a little fat, just at a slower rate. So far I have been dropping between 1-1.5 lbs per week.

Slow increases make me retain less water, the results in the end are pretty much the same tho. It's just a bit less uncomfortable.

[SMB2003]

Thanks! Probably a good point on the water retention. I am sure I will be feeling full if I just start eating an additional 400 cals a day.

[girl81]

I say go more quickly to maintenance and shock the metabolism into burning more. I went up about 200- 400 cal every other day. If we noticed water retention I would stay at that level for a couple more days.

[thepowerwithin]

It doesn't matter in the end. I tend to reverse diet because I absolutely love food, don't have a great history of maintaining, and have been known to do a 180 and inhale everything in sight, so increasing slowly keeps me structured/disciplined until my "brain" realizes food will be there tomorrow and the next day and the next day and so on.

[SMB2003]

Ahhh..... Decisions, decisions!

[oregonchick76]

I am a big fan of the reverse diet. Basically eat 100 calories more than you are right now for a week or so. Then add 100 more and hold for another bit. Then you slowly find current maintenance. At that point, you will continue to eat 100 more over maintenance, which should yield around a 1lb gain per month. If your gains aren't solid or you aren't gaining, up the calories again. It's a slow process, but many people like it.

Your other option is to go straight to assumed maintenance, then go up to whatever surplus you want. The only difference with that (besides instant caloric gratification) is a bit of a water gain from the increase in carbs/calories. No biggie.

So whatever you are comfortable.

Losing fat at 1-1.5 lbs per week is pretty fast actually. Between a 3500-5200 calorie deficit. How little are you eating and how much exercise are you doing?

[SMB2003]

I am at 1570 cals right now, but was also training for a half marathon (now over) and lifting 3 days per week. I am expecting the loss to slow now that I cut back on the running and am only doing 2 cardio sessions, 1 20 min HIIT and then an hour spin class.

My maintenance should be somewhere between 2000-2100. I am currently 134 lbs and wanted to get to 130 before switching over to my bulk. I think I will end up doing the slower reverse diet option.

[oregonchick76]

I am at 1570 cals right now, but was also training for a half marathon (now over) and lifting 3 days per week. I am expecting the loss to slow now that I cut back on the running and am only doing 2 cardio sessions, 1 20 min HIIT and then an hour spin class.

My maintenance should be somewhere between 2000-2100. I am currently 134 lbs and wanted to get to 130 before switching over to my bulk. I think I will end up doing the slower reverse diet option.

I personally find this to be a very comforting way to go. If you feel ravenous though, I'm not sure I'd be super strict with it - if your energy is low or you feel weak, eat more - just eat more good stuff.

[SMB2003]

I personally find this to be a very comforting way to go. If you feel ravenous though, I'm not sure I'd be super strict with it - if your energy is low or you feel weak, eat more - just eat more good stuff.

Surprisingly I have grown accustomed to the low cals....or I am just used to feeling hungry! I agree the slow approach will be best. Thanks for the input!