First Bulk - 8 Week Progress

[Spankuh]

I'm eight weeks into my first bulk. Trying to take it slow. I was on a 10 month cut until mid January and lost 40 pounds. I jumped about 8 pounds during a three week maintenance phase which I wasn't surprised by, given the long calorie deficit I was in. I started my surplus at 160.5 and I'm now at 164.5. Measurements show that I'm making gains, particularly in my chest (which is a big goal of mine). Pants aren't tight yet!

I love eating again! I will say, after sticking with a very restricted calorie deficit for so long it was a little tough switching to a surplus. I was afraid that I was going to immediately put on all the fat I lost. Feeling great now and seeing my strength really improve.

First pics are from 2/13/19
Second pics from 3/17/19

[Vandeman17]

Nice work! Gotta love adding more food back into the equation

[Spankuh]

Thanks!

[tblodg15]

Wow, an 8 pound jump in 3 weeks sounds like a lot to me. I am only up 10 total pounds after 22 weeks for an average of .47 lbs per week so right on track with my goal of .4 to .5 per week. I have had to adjust my calories several times to continue to meet my target. But we all react differently and I raised my calories very slowly near the end of my diet so I never had a single large jump in body weight.

Speaking of how we are all different, that’s interesting to me how your chest has grown. My chest has increased the least amount out of everything but my thighs and glutes are growing fast during this surplus!

Glad to hear it is going well and looks like good progress in your pics, keep it up!

[Spankuh]

Thanks! From everything I've read, a small weight jump isn't that unusual after a long carb deficit. It's mostly water weight. After the initial jump - and some adjustments - I'm averaging about .4 to .5 a week, which is where I want to be.

[Garage Rat]

IMO the goal should be gaining as much pure muscle mass as possible.
A bulk and as you already mentioned can be a lot of water and some fat gain.
Maybe better to stay in a slight increase over maintenance and be doing some intense training sessions to increase hypertrophy.
The increase for me would be protein maybe 30-50 more grams
In my experience the slower your weight goes up the more likely it's muscle mass as long as your training hard.
Good job loosing 40 pounds not many can stick with a weight loss protocol like that.
Good luck.

[alewisdvm]

That is awesome. Inspiring for me.
I'm 42. 5'9".
Started a cut at 179 and about 25% body fat.
currently at 164 pounds and roughly 17% body fat.
Cutting to about 155 pounds and around 12-13% body fat then will start bulk. Hoping to do the exact same, but had the same concerns about the initial water weight gain throwing off expectations.
Hoping to join you and enjoy that extra protein by June 1st.

[Spankuh]

Congrats! You are on your way. Stick with it!