Is it normal for waist measurement to jump up 2 inches during a bulk

[keeptryingfool]

I started bulking 2 weeks ago after being very depleted on a low carb cut. At the end of my cut my waist was 29.5 inches, but now 3 weeks later it’s almost up nearly 2 inches despite eating 500 calories over maintenance. Should I reduce calories or ride this out for another 6 weeks before cutting again? I also gained 15lbs which is a little nerve wrecking atm. Good thing is that my lifts have jumped up quite a lot and my biceps are an inch larger.

[Ghawk21]

I started bulking 2 weeks ago after being very depleted on a low carb cut. At the end of my cut my waist was 29.5 inches, but now 3 weeks later it’s almost up nearly 2 inches despite eating 500 calories over maintenance. Should I reduce calories or ride this out for another 6 weeks before cutting again? I also gained 15lbs which is a little nerve wrecking atm. Good thing is that my lifts have jumped up quite a lot and my biceps are an inch larger.

That much over such a short period is mostly water and glycogen. You're probably very bloated. It should even out in the next few weeks but if you continue gaining weight too quickly you should dial it back on the calories and maybe aim for 200 for maintenance.

[Tommy W.]

That’s about right. 1” of waist gain/loss is 5-7 lbs of fat gain Or loss so you’re on the higher end. You’re eating a lot more than you think

[ezra76]

You gained 15lbs. in 2 weeks? Is that even possible?

[air2fakie]

You gained 15lbs. in 2 weeks? Is that even possible?

The process sounds like a fun experiment, the result not so much.