Should I keep bulking?

[kyraschmidt]

Okay so I am 21, 5'7, and weighed in this morning at 128.4 (though I think some may be water weight from being sick and having a cheat). I had originally planned to bulk to 130 then cut then bulk again but 130 seems so close and I feel like I still want to build muscle. I used to be underweight and I know going by the scale isn't 100% accurate but since I was so small before I already FEEL big. First I was wonder what some of you other 5'6-5'7 females would bulk to? Between christmas, and New Years I gained a little more than I know is muscle, should I just not worry about it? Cut a little longer later on?

[Ma110W]

Keep bulking

[oregonchick76]

5'7" and bulking to 130? That's not nearly high enough for you. I am 5'3" and a bulk for me would be up to 130-135. You can easily go to 140-145.

How fast did you gain? You don't want to gain faster than 1-2 lbs per month, otherwise it will be mostly fat gains.

You could always diet down for a couple weeks to shed the holiday extra, and then start the bulk again. But since women can only gain around 1/2 lb of muscle per month, you want to give yourself a solid 6-12 months in a calorie surplus.

[stephanielynn76]

Keep bulking. If you want a basis of comparison, I'm your height. I typically bulk 6-7 months at a time.

1st bulk- gained 15lbs
started at 122, ended at 137
2nd bulk- gained 28lbs (epic bulk)
started at 125, ended at 153
3rd bulk- gained 15lbs+ so far
started at 135, currently at 150+
(not certain of current weight b/c I avoid the scale)

I, personally, saw more gains (fat and muscle) with more food. The only reason I haven't made it up to 155-160 is because of overtraining, fatigue, and appetite issues. I've got till the end of February so there is still time!

[Cara0915]

5'7" and bulking to 130? That's not nearly high enough for you. I am 5'3" and a bulk for me would be up to 130-135. You can easily go to 140-145.

How fast did you gain? You don't want to gain faster than 1-2 lbs per month, otherwise it will be mostly fat gains.

You could always diet down for a couple weeks to shed the holiday extra, and then start the bulk again. But since women can only gain around 1/2 lb of muscle per month, you want to give yourself a solid 6-12 months in a calorie surplus.

Totally agree

OP, I'm 5'6" and am planning on bulking to around 150-155lbs. 130 was about my starting weight. You need to keep going. Trust me, I did a few 3-5 month bulks and haven't gotten too far, I wish I just sucked it up and bulked way longer

[esh83]

oh man..I'm also 5'7" and i would love to cut down to your current weight lol

[kyraschmidt]

Okay, so I tried to attached a picture of myself... I took that last night. I'm just getting started really, my muscle are still itty bitty compared to what I want. I have gained up from 107 so I know I have gained fat and I'm completely fine with that, I needed it. But does it look like I am starting to gain too much fat? I don't currently have a way to accurately test body fat, but I don't really have a goal body fat either. I am not looking to compete or anything, my goals are just to build muscle and curves and stay fairly lean. Based on the picture does it look like I should cut then bulk again? Or just continue bulking very slowly? How do you guys decide when to stop bulking?

[Rachelnspired29]

Keep bulking, after you feel like you've gained a decent amount of muscle, cut to really see how much you've gained

[kimm4]

Keep going. In the end you'll be glad you did!

[thepowerwithin]

Another vote to keep it going.

[sammysamgurl]

Keep Bulking! I put on about 15-16 pounds during my bulk.

[Ma110W]

Okay, so I tried to attached a picture of myself... I took that last night. I'm just getting started really, my muscle are still itty bitty compared to what I want. I have gained up from 107 so I know I have gained fat and I'm completely fine with that, I needed it. But does it look like I am starting to gain too much fat? I don't currently have a way to accurately test body fat, but I don't really have a goal body fat either. I am not looking to compete or anything, my goals are just to build muscle and curves and stay fairly lean. Based on the picture does it look like I should cut then bulk again? Or just continue bulking very slowly? How do you guys decide when to stop bulking?

Women build muscle so very slow. If you cut now, you're just going to be wasting valuable time that you could be using to build. Just keep on bulking. Like Kimm said, you'll be glad in the end.

[sy2502]

OP you are still quite lean at current weight, so I see no reason to stop bulking.

[SNayder]

Dont base the end of your bulk on a specific weight. Keep going until you see that you have gotten to the point you want to be at.

[kyraschmidt]

Just thought I'd let you ladies know that I am going to keep bulking up to 140 probably then cut for a while and see where I'm at after that. Coming from 105lbs this is going to be hard and scary and I know I'll want to quit when I get "fluffy" but I won't! I love food so that helps haha. Thank you for all the advice.

[AutumnHB]

I'm 5'8" 140lbs and still have a month left to go on my bulk (if I can stand it). I started in November at 124lbs. It can be discouraging to see that midsection you've worked so hard for fade, but you just have to remember that the more muscle you gain, the better you'll look after you cut. I'm in the same boat as you, but it will all be worth it in the end. Plus, you gotta love those strength gains, right?

[schnauzers]

Just my personal experience with setting a scale weight as a goal....I started bulking at 129lbs (I'm 5'7.5) and am now at 154/155lbs. Originally I thought I'd just go until 145lbs, 150lbs MAX. But then I got to that scale weight and realized that although I did look fluffier, I could still tell that I didn't really put on that much muscle. So I kept going. Even now at 155lbs I look in the mirror and think 'girl, do you even lift? where's the muscle??' and figure that I could bulk for maybe even another year and still not have as much muscle as I'd like. I'm not sure it's a good idea to bulk for two years straight, esp since my BF% is now higher, so I might do a mini cut and then continue bulking. We'll see as I'm dealing with other issues ATM.

Coles notes: don't use the scale or a pre-determined weight as a stopping point. Go by how you think you look and feel instead.

[heidismommy]

Great job on the gains you've made thus far, definitely keep going! Still looking very lean and you're at a great place to keep working on gaining.

[sy2502]

Great job on the gains you've made thus far, definitely keep going! Still looking very lean and you're at a great place to keep working on gaining.

Great avi!

And I haven't seen you post in a while, so welcome back!

[CoralieRaia]

Just my personal experience with setting a scale weight as a goal....I started bulking at 129lbs (I'm 5'7.5) and am now at 154/155lbs. Originally I thought I'd just go until 145lbs, 150lbs MAX. But then I got to that scale weight and realized that although I did look fluffier, I could still tell that I didn't really put on that much muscle. So I kept going. Even now at 155lbs I look in the mirror and think 'girl, do you even lift? where's the muscle??' and figure that I could bulk for maybe even another year and still not have as much muscle as I'd like. I'm not sure it's a good idea to bulk for two years straight, esp since my BF% is now higher, so I might do a mini cut and then continue bulking. We'll see as I'm dealing with other issues ATM.

Coles notes: don't use the scale or a pre-determined weight as a stopping point. Go by how you think you look and feel instead.

Hi there,
This is timely because I am still struggling with the weight, body definition, size, shape frame-work. I am 5 feet 2 inches and at my "mature" chronilogical age my largest life goal is to remain healthy, fit and strong. At this stage I am not interested in bulk...and with my small frame am focusing on countouring, strength, flexibility and toning.
In any case I really appreciate your input, observations and experiences. Wishing you well in whatever direction you choose. Sounds like you know yourself and body well...and in my view it is the true way to "measure."

[heidismommy]

Great avi!

And I haven't seen you post in a while, so welcome back!

Thank you ! I've been lurking, I guess I hadn't even realized how little I've actually been posting lately.