How much of a buffer period do you think would be adequate time between bulking and cutting phases? For instance, after a 7 week cutting cycle how much time would you suggest before starting a bulking cycle. I tend to put on weight very quickly so I try and focus on preventing fat gain, plus it lets my body reset its set point.
I suggest you increase calories up to your maintenance intake rather quickly, in about a weeks time period,and once there stay there for about a month. After this month begin your bulking cycle.
hope this is of some help,
Osvaldo Hernandez Chavez
Osvaldo!!! What great advice! You took the words right out of my mouth. (grin)
dynosar, listen to PanchoPantera. He nailed it.
The best way I have found is to add 100-200 calories per week above baseline. Continue to add these calories until you begin to put on to much fat. If you are adding quality calories you will be amazed how much food you can eat without adding much fat. Gaining to much fat weight is a waste of time
Does the amount of time you have to spend on maintenance kcals before going into a bulking cycle change if you had been on a longer cutting cycle? For example, If I spent 4 months cutting would the time needed to maintain before bulking the same as if I spend 2 months cutting? And what if I spent only 1 month cutting? The whole point of this maintenance kcals between cutting/bulking is to bring the metabolism back to normal and solidify gains (in this case, fat loss) right? Spending a month on maintenance kcals seems so boring. I like seeing progress, it motivates me.
Another thing, is it ok to increase energy expenditure and taking red bands while maintaining in order to continue losing fat? Or is it a better idea to relax a bit while maintaining?
So it is ok to get back to maintenance kcal really quickly like in a week. Most people have said add back kcal like 100-250 every other week.
I am in the same position where i have been cutting and now want to start a bulk with ABBH. I am doing OVT and wanted to start upping the kcal as i finish out the last few weeks of it.
So can I get back to maintenance right away? What would my maintenance be at now?