Ms_Mac's Bulking Experiment

[ms_mac]

OPERATION BULK begins Sunday.

My plan is to do mini bulk\cut cycles - 9 week bulk, 3 week cut for the whole year. AND - this is huge for me - I AM SWEARING OFF THE SCALE!! I am having pics and measurements and weight taken in the morning and am vowing to not get on the scale until the end of the first complete 12 week cycle. I will be tracking progress by measurements and pics only. Kind of excited to not be a slave to the scale - seems no matter what that fukcin' number is, it pisses me off. Soooo done with that

My new workout routine which I will start Sunday as well:

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/wor...zation-workout
I am also planning on 20 min of cardio as a warm up to the AM workout.

Calories will be in the 2500 range for the bulking weeks and around 1700 for cutting weeks- hovering around 2200 right now. As far as macros go, protein will be in the 160 gram range, carbs and fat fall where they may, so lottsa room for wine and chocolate

Supplements I will be using:

I have a 25 count bottle of AppNut's Uncut which I will use as my pre w\o.
I also have a bottle of their NeoVar - each of the 2 servings will be with my post w\o meals.
I take 2 grams of vitamin C regularly as well as 3 grams of vitamin D and 2 grams of calcium, and 2 tbls apple cider vinegar twice daily.

I think thats about it for now. Will be back later tomorrow with pics and stats..

[tahinilove]

Subbed

[ChrizyKibs]

Good luck!

[gobbles23]

New journal! Sweet! I'm so excited to follow along with you! So curious of what your results will be like

[ms_mac]

Good luck!

Thanks so much..

New journal! Sweet! I'm so excited to follow along with you! So curious of what your results will be like

I am hoping for some good results. May take a bit longer than if I do long bulk and cuts, but thats okay. I am in no rush.

Subbed

Yay! Fellow bulker

[ms_mac]

Okay here goes:

Weight = 122.5lbs

Bicep = 11.25"
Waist = 25.5"
Hips = 34.5"
Thigh = 19.5"
Calf = 14"

Pinch measurements:
Tri = 6 1\4mm
Quad = 12mm
Stomach = 4 1\4mm
Subscapula = 5 3\4mm
Lower back - 16 1\2mm

And some pics:





LET THE GAMES BEGIN

[gobbles23]

OOOh, I can definitely notice a difference in your quads since your last pictures! Looking awesome!

[dreahere]

Agree with Ms Lori! Your quads look juicy Any particular goals for this bulk?

[ms_mac]

OOOh, I can definitely notice a difference in your quads since your last pictures! Looking awesome!

Thanks Lori

Agree with Ms Lori! Your quads look juicy Any particular goals for this bulk?

I can actually see the difference in my quads this time so I am happy with that. Goals for this bulk:

1 - first and foremost is to not let a number fukc with my brain. I think because I see a certain number I "think" I am fluffy.
2 - I really just need to build some size everywhere.

That's about it

[tahinilove]

You look so great!! Your legs are amazing, very jealous!

Also ditto on the 1 - first and foremost is to not let a number fukc with my brain. I think because I see a certain number I "think" I am fluffy. - I can feel great then i get on the scale and suddenly im fat lol!

[KallieFit22]

Good Luck! Ill def be following along!

[lotusdeva]

OPERATION BULK begins Sunday.

My plan is to do mini bulk\cut cycles - 9 week bulk, 3 week cut for the whole year. AND - this is huge for me - I AM SWEARING OFF THE SCALE!! I am having pics and measurements and weight taken in the morning and am vowing to not get on the scale until the end of the first complete 12 week cycle. I will be tracking progress by measurements and pics only. Kind of excited to not be a slave to the scale - seems no matter what that fukcin' number is, it pisses me off. Soooo done with that

My new workout routine which I will start Sunday as well:

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/wor...zation-workout
I am also planning on 20 min of cardio as a warm up to the AM workout.

Calories will be in the 2500 range for the bulking weeks and around 1700 for cutting weeks- hovering around 2200 right now. As far as macros go, protein will be in the 160 gram range, carbs and fat fall where they may, so lottsa room for wine and chocolate

Supplements I will be using:

I have a 25 count bottle of AppNut's Uncut which I will use as my pre w\o.
I also have a bottle of their NeoVar - each of the 2 servings will be with my post w\o meals.
I take 2 grams of vitamin C regularly as well as 3 grams of vitamin D and 2 grams of calcium, and 2 tbls apple cider vinegar twice daily.

I think thats about it for now. Will be back later tomorrow with pics and stats..

So subbed!!! I remember remember lots of useful advice from you in the bulking thread I am also bulking, this is bulk #2 for me, so its a bit easier on the brain to be getting fat I was wondering - did you always bulk in mini bulk\cut cycles? This sounds like a great plan, something I can stay on for a year actually without getting super uncomfortable. So excited to follow along!!!!

[lotusdeva]

Okay here goes:

Weight = 122.5lbs

Bicep = 11.25"
Waist = 25.5"
Hips = 34.5"
Thigh = 19.5"
Calf = 14"

Pinch measurements:
Tri = 6 1\4mm
Quad = 12mm
Stomach = 4 1\4mm
Subscapula = 5 3\4mm
Lower back - 16 1\2mm

And some pics:





LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Looking awesome!

[ms_mac]

You look so great!! Your legs are amazing, very jealous!

Also ditto on the 1 - first and foremost is to not let a number fukc with my brain. I think because I see a certain number I "think" I am fluffy. - I can feel great then i get on the scale and suddenly im fat lol!

Thats exactly it Hoping not seeing that number will help me to continue the bulking process..

Good Luck! Ill def be following along!

thanks

So subbed!!! I remember remember lots of useful advice from you in the bulking thread I am also bulking, this is bulk #2 for me, so its a bit easier on the brain to be getting fat I was wondering - did you always bulk in mini bulk\cut cycles? This sounds like a great plan, something I can stay on for a year actually without getting super uncomfortable. So excited to follow along!!!!

Looking awesome!

This is bulk #3 for me and the first 2 I did the long bulk, long cut thing. My first "real" bulk was for 15 months, my second was 9 months - but its seem like once I hit the 130ish mark is when I "think" I am getting fat......hoping I can get over that number eventually - and still look like I lift Thanks for following along during my experimentation process..

[ms_mac]

Day 1 of bulking almost in the books.

Bulking Cycle Week 1 Day 1 - Workout 1 - AM empty stomach:

Warm up - 20 min LISS 10% incline, 4 mph - 1.333 miles

Squats - 3*5
3*5 - 10

SLDL - 3*8
3*5 - 135 (I thought I was supposed to do 3*5 on this as well, did not notice that it should have been 3*8 until right now typing it out. )

BSS - 3*15
3*12 - 15 - I HATE THESE!!! probably means they are good for me, right?

BB Calf Raise - 3*15
3*15 - 140

Workout 2 - PM

Leg Extension - 3*10
3*10 - 55

Leg Curl - 3*12
3*12 - 40

DB Single Leg Calf Raise - 3*15
3*15 each leg - 50

Squats - 2*20
2*20 - 70

Post cardio - LISS - 5%, 4mph, 10 min - .6 miles

Eats:

Meal 1 - post workout 1
1\2 c whole grain hot cereal with with cocoa, cinnamon, cayenne, and chia seeds and topped with raspberries and yogurt

Meal 2
homemade protein banana bread with peanut butter

Meal 3
homemade chicken pot pie with broccoli and carrots roasted in coconut oil

Meal 4
100 cal snack pack popcorn
1\2 c no sugar added ice cream
Pure Protein protein bar

Meal 5 - Post workout 2
Giant sludge bowl consisting of:
2 scoops Cellucor Peanut Butter Marshmallow protein powder, peanut butter, dark chocolate, peanut butter cheerios and a banana

And despite a ****load of food I am still 100 cals short for the day:

Cals = 2401
Fat = 80
Carbs = 273 (62g fibre)
Pro = 178

AND I AM STUFFED..

Supplements:
2 AppNut Uncut pre workout 1 along with a cuppa joe ( I am a caffeine junkie)
3 AppNut Neovar with each post workout meal
2000mg each of Vit C, D and calcium plus 2 tbls ACV *2

Water = 4 litres

So day one - so far so good

[dreahere]

I love when you post your food! Did you try Lori's banana bread recipe or is that a different one?

[ms_mac]

I love when you post your food! Did you try Lori's banana bread recipe or is that a different one?

Its this one:

http://mouthwateringmotivation.wordp...protein-bread/

This was really good. Got a 2 thumbs up from my 6 yr old who LOVES banana bread.

[schnauzers]

I'm following along

[tahinilove]

Great first day! I love the idea of putting cayenne into hot cereal. Can you taste it a lot or is it a small amount you add?

I have a love/hate with BSS too. I love how I can feel them so much!

[ms_mac]

I'm following along

Yay! Do you have a journal? I have seen you in the bulking forum - glad to have some fellow bulkers along for the ride

Great first day! I love the idea of putting cayenne into hot cereal. Can you taste it a lot or is it a small amount you add?

I have a love/hate with BSS too. I love how I can feel them so much!

I use 1\2 tsp cayenne and I can taste it - adds a nice kick to my morning oats. BSS = my ass is burning today

[ms_mac]

Cycle 1 Week 1 Day 2 AM Workout:

LISS cardio - 20 min, 10%, 4.1 mph

Bench 4*5
4*5 - 105

Incline DB 4*8
4*8 - 40

DB Bench 4*10
2*8,6 - 45
2*9,7 - 40

PM workout:

Fly 3*10
3*10 - 30

Pushups 3*12
3*12

Incline Fly 3*15
3*15,15,13 - 25

Bench 2*20
2*20 - 55

Post cardio - 10 min LISS 5%, 4mph

Meal 1
2 scoops Promasil White Chocolate protein blended in a shake with unsweetened almond milk and frozen raspberries

Meal 2 - FAMILY BBQ at my parents
hamburger on a bun with mustard and relish, lettuce, tomato and onion
spoonful each of potato salad, macaroni salad and chicken fried rice
1 small piece of watergate cake

Meal 3
homemade banana bread with nutella

Meal 4
my big ass sludge bowl but with Chocolate Fibre One instead of cheerios

Before bed
1 glass of white wine

Did not track today because of the BBQ but I think I probably hit my cals or maybe over slightly.

[schnauzers]

Yay! Do you have a journal? I have seen you in the bulking forum - glad to have some fellow bulkers along for the ride

Yep, I have a journal. It's called 'A Work in Progress'...link in my siggy line.

What do you use for flies? I'm debating changing up my cable incline fly and I'm not sure what to try. Do you use DBs?

[ms_mac]

Yep, I have a journal. It's called 'A Work in Progress'...link in my siggy line.

What do you use for flies? I'm debating changing up my cable incline fly and I'm not sure what to try. Do you use DBs?

Going to find you now
I work out at home some equipment is limited. So for flies I use db's.....I have a powertec rack with cables but its not double sided. I really need to invest in some more stuff though. My last big purchase a couple of years ago was a treadmill.....now I think a leg press would be the next big purchase.

[coconuttree2009]

Bit late to the party but in on this one - really interested in results on shorter bulk/cut cycles.

[ms_mac]

Bit late to the party but in on this one - really interested in results on shorter bulk/cut cycles.

Welcome and come along for the ride

Week 1 Day 3 AM Workout:

easy 5K on the treadmill for warm up - 30 min

BB Row 4*5
4*5,5,4,4 - 125

Pullups 4*10 - Like THAT was gonna happen
4*1 - wide grip
3*3,3,2 - neutral grip
3*2 - narrow reverse grip

One arm row 4*10
4*10,10,10,8

PM Workout:

Pulldowns 3*10
3*10 - 50

Cable row - 3*12
3*12 - 50

Straight arm pulldown 3*15
3*15 - cable weight only

BB Row 2*20
2*20,17 - 60

M1
oats, whites, yogurt, cocoa, cayenne, chia seeds

M2
tuna wrap with lettuce, onion, tomato, avocado, relish and grainy mustard

M3
homemade chicken pot pie, roasted butternut squash with maple syrup and butter, broccoli salad

M4
greek yogurt, sugar free pudding cup, oats and banana

M5
My big ole'sludge bowl - Cap'n'Crunch for the cereal today.

Cals = 2443
fat = 73
carb = 273 (53 fibre)
pro = 195

No changes to supplements - all the same as posted in the OP..

2 a days going good so far. Now if I could fix my sleep issues

[schnauzers]

Oh no, you have sleep issues too? I've been suffering from poor sleep for a long time now. I've tried improving my sleep hygiene habits and have recently tried Sleepy Time tea and melatonin which neither seemed to work. Im currently taking Nytol which is an OTC sleep aid; not thrilled about it but it might be helping (not sure yet though). Poor sleep affects evvvvverything

[ms_mac]

Oh no, you have sleep issues too? I've been suffering from poor sleep for a long time now. I've tried improving my sleep hygiene habits and have recently tried Sleepy Time tea and melatonin which neither seemed to work. Im currently taking Nytol which is an OTC sleep aid; not thrilled about it but it might be helping (not sure yet though). Poor sleep affects evvvvverything

This has been an issue for years but it seems the older I get the worse it gets. I get maybe 3-4 hrs sleep on a good night..most times only a couple. By the time I actually do get to sleep its just about time to get up again. I have tried the natural route - herbal teas, melatonin, no computer, cell phone, tv before bed thing, nothing. So about a month ago I actually bought some OTC sleeping pills and have tried 1 on occasion. Still nothing. Whats different about Nytol, I wonder. May check into that..

[tahinilove]

Great workout again! How come you split your workout in the day - is that just a time issue? Your fibre amount reminds me I need more!

[Miranda]

what's your chest measure? didn't see that in the stats.

[coconuttree2009]

Noticed you are taking Neovar. Do you feel any benefits?