[WTA] I made a mistake. Gain 20lbs fat in 4 month.

Hi everyone.

I made a mistake. For this past 4 month + i've been doing what you called a dirty bulk. I eat crossaint, muffin, burger to hit my calorie which is about 2200-2400 calories perday. I think it might be slightly more because i didn't count those 3in1 coffee drink that i take daily.

My starting weight on July was 124lbs and now im hit 146lbs, which is 20lbs of fat in the tummy, 2lbs or less is muscle perhaps?

Im a 31yo male, 5'7", skinny ectomorph guy and a beginner. In July im running self poor made workout. August-Sept im running Vikings Fullbody program for 2 month, then i cannot catch up the progression. Oct-Now (probably till next year) im running Fierce 5 novice, and so far i can co-op with the progression.

My lift still at very shy number.

Bench 115 lbs
Squat 120 lbs
Front Squat 100 lbs
Row 115 lbs
RDL 115 lbs
OHP 75 lbs
Facepull 55 lbs

My concern is right now is the growing tummy and my journey.

1- Should i just continue to dirty bulk untill hit certain number eg: 160lb then cut?
2- Should i just cut now before its worsen and too late? (im not sure if i still can do Fierce 5 when cutting)
3- Should i change right now to lean bulk and eat at maintenane if its still make changes at this point of time?

Seeking advise from regulars before it become too late. Your input is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

update:
I have upload some photo in my bodyspace. Kindly assist to view and give comment. Thanks.

Eat at maintenance and slowly recomp around there, no reason you can't progress loads still.

Might want to check your calorie counting... I doubt you gained 20lbs on just 2400 calories per day...

[QUOTE=WolfRose7;1622380501]Eat at maintenance and slowly recomp around there, no reason you can't progress loads still.[/QUOTE]

Hi, noted. This time around do i need to take care of what i eat? Eg: grilled chicken, no fried food, no muffin and croissant etc?

Or i can get away with few muffin with maintenance?

[QUOTE=SuffolkPunch;1622380721]Might want to check your calorie counting... I doubt you gained 20lbs on just 2400 calories per day...[/QUOTE]

Hmm.. To be exact, i think it should be around 2700-2800 calories around there. My job is sedentary, sitting in the office job.

I always have the mindset to assume the calorie is less because i wanna gain weight.

You think right now i should cut or maintenance?

Yes, just take what you are eating now and remove 2-300 calories.

[QUOTE=ZeekTrytoBuff;1622379771]
My starting weight on July was 124lbs and now im hit 146lbs, which is 20lbs of fat in the tummy, 2lbs or less is muscle perhaps?
[/QUOTE]
Hi do you have a picture?

Please upload to 'my bodyspace' or imgur.com

[QUOTE=Mrpb;1622382921]Hi do you have a picture?

Please upload to 'my bodyspace' or imgur.com[/QUOTE]

Hi there. Ok i have upload my current photo in bodyspace.

I hope it can give some idea on how i look even though im not shirtless.

[QUOTE=ZeekTrytoBuff;1622384651]Hi there. Ok i have upload my current photo in bodyspace.

I hope it can give some idea on how i look even though im not shirtless.[/QUOTE]

Due to some error I can only see the small version. And you have your shirt on.

Anyway, try to make progress on maintenance calories. See if it works.

[QUOTE=Mrpb;1622400871]

Anyway, try to make progress on maintenance calories. See if it works.[/QUOTE]

Agree with this. Also, your numbers are very low, how many times have you stalled on these programs?

[QUOTE=cmacken;1622403881]Agree with this. Also, your numbers are very low, how many times have you stalled on these programs?[/QUOTE]

Agreed. And its never “too late” as you mention. You can easily bulk and cut as needed, and these happen relatively slowly. I’ve never seen anyone get fat or buff overnight. Plenty of time to adjust as needed.

If you really gained 20 lbs in 4 months (17 weeks) that means you've been eating around 4000 calories per week OVER your maintenance. I would go back into a slight deficit, you should be able to progress on your lifts even while eating just below maintenance.

How exactly have you been tracking your intake? Measuring cups and labels?

[QUOTE=Mrpb;1622400871]Due to some error I can only see the small version. And you have your shirt on.

Anyway, try to make progress on maintenance calories. See if it works.[/QUOTE]

I see. Noted. Thanks.

[QUOTE=cmacken;1622403881]Agree with this. Also, your numbers are very low, how many times have you stalled on these programs?[/QUOTE]

Actually not yet stall. But i think next week probably will stall? Because this week im struggling with Bench and Row.

[QUOTE=desslok;1622407211]Agreed. And its never “too late” as you mention. You can easily bulk and cut as needed, and these happen relatively slowly. I’ve never seen anyone get fat or buff overnight. Plenty of time to adjust as needed.[/QUOTE]

Understood. Thanks.

[QUOTE=xsquid99;1622432161]If you really gained 20 lbs in 4 months (17 weeks) that means you've been eating around 4000 calories per week OVER your maintenance. I would go back into a slight deficit, you should be able to progress on your lifts even while eating just below maintenance.[/QUOTE]

Wow! That much. I think its because i don't count the exact calorie and take the smallest number mindset because i want to gain.

Ok i will cut a bit and progress. Thanks.

[QUOTE=Nicksosure1;1622450241]How exactly have you been tracking your intake? Measuring cups and labels?[/QUOTE]

Hi. Yes i read the label. For meal that don't have label i just estimate and take the smallest number.

Eg: for rice i measure normally i eat around 260gm white rice + 100gm chicken breast. For this i just put as 350cal. Then continue to hit my target calorie 2200-2400, which now i realize its obviously more that than.

Also i didn't count sugary drink, or cafe latte calorie.

[QUOTE=ZeekTrytoBuff;1622463381]

Also i didn't count sugary drink, or cafe latte calorie.[/QUOTE]

Uhhhh... yeah that’ll do it

[QUOTE=ZeekTrytoBuff;1622463381]Hi. Yes i read the label. For meal that don't have label i just estimate and take the smallest number.

Eg: for rice i measure normally i eat around 260gm white rice + 100gm chicken breast. For this i just put as 350cal. Then continue to hit my target calorie 2200-2400, which now i realize its obviously more that than.

Also i didn't count sugary drink, or cafe latte calorie.[/QUOTE]
Yeah it’s safe to say you probably were having double that amount pal. Inaccurate tracking, eye balling something like a burger, and not counting things, especially loaded with sugar, will do it.

Just get back on track and this time with F5.

And just curious, how did you not spot this rate of gain sooner? That’s a good amount of weight to put on before realizing you might have fudged a bit.

[QUOTE=Nicksosure1;1622468781]Yeah it’s safe to say you probably were having double that amount pal. Inaccurate tracking, eye balling something like a burger, and not counting things, especially loaded with sugar, will do it.

Just get back on track and this time with F5.

And just curious, how did you not spot this rate of gain sooner? That’s a good amount of weight to put on before realizing you might have fudged a bit.[/QUOTE]


Well its because i always been hard gainer. I never past 132lb in my life. So when i see the increment in the scale, i become excited. Its like wow, and it keep increasing weekly, monthly and now im 147lbs with some love handle starting to make appearance =(

So in conclusion my achievement is just belly fat. Increase i think 4-5 inch. While arm/bicep only grow from 27cm to 34cm now. Chest, shoulder i couldn't measure but see some slight improvement.

Quads also grow i think although im not measure it.

Noted. Started today i will count the exact calorie i consume and see how the progress for this month or two.

Thanks. ^^