Looking to Bulk...Seeking Advice

[Skroup51]

Wasn't sure where to put this, figured since I'm seeking more advice towards the diet side of things that I would put it here.

So I just got done a fairly long term cut, 325 to 216 (no brag). I understand a lot about the diet to lose weight, but now I’m looking to pack on some muscle; I think I’m pretty weak plus I’m trying to look better for summer. I’m planning on bulking until around mid-April and then cutting until school ends in May.

I’ve been recently raising my calorie intake slowly up from 2500 to 3000 this week and I actually lost a pound or two when I was trying to maintain or even gain. I’m slightly hesitant doing this because my weight used to be so sensitive to a change in calories back when I was fatter, but I know it’s going to take a higher intake than this to properly build muscle so I’ll have to deal with it.

I’m still fine tuning my workout routine; working on the right form, finding the right weight, etc…goes something like this:

M – Upper Body
Tu – Lower Body
W – Abs, Cardio or Off
Th – Upper Body
F – Lower Body
Sa – Cardio or Off
Su – Off

Cardio is normally a half hour of HIIT cardio on the elliptical or a stationary bike. If I have time after classes I’ll do it on upper body days.

I normally eat every 2.5-3.5 hours, but I see some guys on here eating meals as close as 2 hours apart. I guess I’m just looking for some advice on things such as optimal calorie intake, meal frequency, food selection and any other help anyone feels like offering.

I’m looking to do this clean and my schedule allows me to get a good amount of sleep most of the time so I’m looking for good gains.

[Shaggytph]

are you carb sensitive? if so most of your cals should be coming from Protien and fats and carbs in the morning and around your workouts. so what exactly are your macros gonna be? 3000 cals a day is what your staying with?

[Skroup51]

I used to be fairly sensitive, but then again that could be due to the fact half of it was junk before I started dieting. I'm going to keep increasing it until I start maintaining or gaining; perhaps someone could offer a number they think I should climb to?

I was thinking something along the lines of a basic 50/30/20 C/P/F but wasn't sure if it was right for me.

[Football_Q]

you're doing a 1/2 hour of HIIT?!?!? no.

if you can do 30 min you arent doing it hard enough.

10-12 min tops.

[Skroup51]

Alright, I guess I'm not than...I'll make sure I take that into consideration next time.

[Tanktwo]

it's all about your body and what works for you...I know when i lost 100lbs I had to learn how to eat and how much my body could take all over again..

Pick a number, go with it for 2-3 weeks, then evaluate where your at and if need be, raise it 500 cals.

[Skroup51]

Sounds like a reasonable plan. I'm still re-learning my body as you were so we'll see how that goes.