What is the secret to doing a really clean bulk!

[johnnymctrance]

All other things being equal - there are no secrets. At some point, it boils down to genetic predisposition. We're not all created equally. Some people are just lucky, others not so much. If subject A and subject B start with identical stats, run the exact same diet/regimen and one yields better results than the other, there's really nothing else to point to.

With that said - have you ready my sticky on lean bulking?

I have read it yes, it is a great read... I think where i might be lacking is the that i have a very varied TDEE from day to day due to my lifestyle! i had a hypothesis that some days when less active i would be eating to much in surplus and perhaps other days not enough!

[gbrice75]

I have read it yes, it is a great read... I think where i might be lacking is the that i have a very varied TDEE from day to day due to my lifestyle! i had a hypothesis that some days when less active i would be eating to much in surplus and perhaps other days not enough!

Yes, if your activity varies greatly from day to day, then so will your TDEE. Calorie cycling (mainly via manipulating carb intake) may be a good option for somebody with your schedule.

[johnnymctrance]

Yes, if your activity varies greatly from day to day, then so will your TDEE. Calorie cycling (mainly via manipulating carb intake) may be a good option for somebody with your schedule.

I was reading in ur sticky that carb cycling can be done in a bulk too... Could u give and example of how it might look?

[gbrice75]

I was reading in ur sticky that carb cycling can be done in a bulk too... Could u give and example of how it might look?

I cycled carbs during a bulk - looked something like this:

Monday - workout day - 275g protein, 450g carbs, 60g fat
Tuesday - nonworkout day - 275g protein, 200g carbs, 60g fat
Wednesday - workout day - 275g protein, 450g carbs, 60g fat

and so on. You get the idea. Carb intake was higher on training days. This kept glycogen stores at maximal levels for each session and, at 450g/day, certainly continued to aid in the recovery process during off days.

There are plenty of ways to implement a carb cycle, but based on a M/W/F training regimen, this is what worked best for me.

[johnnymctrance]

I cycled carbs during a bulk - looked something like this:

Monday - workout day - 275g protein, 450g carbs, 60g fat
Tuesday - nonworkout day - 275g protein, 200g carbs, 60g fat
Wednesday - workout day - 275g protein, 450g carbs, 60g fat

and so on. You get the idea. Carb intake was higher on training days. This kept glycogen stores at maximal levels for each session and, at 450g/day, certainly continued to aid in the recovery process during off days.

There are plenty of ways to implement a carb cycle, but based on a M/W/F training regimen, this is what worked best for me.

I really like the look of that!!

So u only have a diet spilt of 2 different days... workout days and non workout days?

So am i right in saying u eat 1000kcals roughly extra on workout days?

I will be having a M/W/F routine

If i ate for example 160g protein, 355g carbs, 60g fat on nonworkout days what should i bump it up to on workout days?

[johnnymctrance]

Oh and do u think the protein intake is ok at 1g/pound of weight? i have read many studies stating 1g/pound is plenty for building muscle and any extra is a waste for a non competitive bodybuilder

[gbrice75]

I really like the look of that!!

So u only have a diet spilt of 2 different days... workout days and non workout days?

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure on weekends (also non workout days), I reduced carbs even further - probably down to around 100g or so.

So am i right in saying u eat 1000kcals roughly extra on workout days?

As compared to alternating non-workout days, yes.

I will be having a M/W/F routine

If i ate for example 160g protein, 355g carbs, 60g fat on nonworkout days what should i bump it up to on workout days?

355g would be high for me on non-workout days. In hindsight, I probably should have been running my carbs at around 350g on workout days, and 150-200g on non workout days. What are your stats?

Oh and do u think the protein intake is ok at 1g/pound of weight? i have read many studies stating 1g/pound is plenty for building muscle and any extra is a waste for a non competitive bodybuilder

I agree. For most people, 1g/lb of bodyweight, or 1.2 - 1.5g/lb of LBM is plenty. Most people dramatically overestimate the amount of protein required to grow muscle. You need enough to facilitate muscle repair and growth. More protein beyond that will note equate to additional growth.

[johnnymctrance]

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure on weekends (also non workout days), I reduced carbs even further - probably down to around 100g or so.



As compared to alternating non-workout days, yes.



355g would be high for me on non-workout days. In hindsight, I probably should have been running my carbs at around 350g on workout days, and 150-200g on non workout days. What are your stats?



I agree. For most people, 1g/lb of bodyweight, or 1.2 - 1.5g/lb of LBM is plenty. Most people dramatically overestimate the amount of protein required to grow muscle. You need enough to facilitate muscle repair and growth. More protein beyond that will note equate to additional growth.

My stats are 157lb, 12% bf, 26yo...

How would u suggest i change my macros? if im keeping protein at 160g and fats at 60g i need to fill the rest up with carbs which comes to 355g

My maths is:
2600kcal total

Protein - 160 x 4 = 640kcal
Fat - 60 x 9 = 540kcal

640 + 540 = 1180kcal remaining

2600kcal - 1180kcal = 1420kcal/4 = 355g carbs???

Should i change this?