I’ve had fun with bulking a couple of times. I don’t calculate my total cals but I do know tha average value of my meals.
1- Always have a decent breakfast:
1/2 cup of quick cook oats, pp and fruit. When not bulking I eat less oats.
2- carry a big bag of nuts or trail mix with you for a handfull here and there during the day
3- lunch and every meal must contain a decent amount of protein - I aim for 20 grams
4- pre-workout pp or highprotein snack
5- post-workout high protein snack and later I have supper.
6- before bed I spoon peanutbutter/hazelnut butter straight for the jar.
7- not a time to count carbs much - just choose healthy whole carbs at most meals. include some healthy fats here and there.
After doing this for 2 weeks you should see results. If you haven’t gained a couple of pounds your portions are too small; start adding cals: a splash of olive oil, a dab of butter, whole milk. Perhaps you are one of those “hard gainer” types and you’ll see no gains after a month of adjusting portions. If that’s the case screw perfect meal plans and just eat as much calories as you can. Dirty or not. Just make sure your protein intake stays high.
*** My one major piece of advice is that most women can’t deal with the “fluffy period”. Pull out your loose pants and stick to it for a solid 3-4 months. Hit it hard at the gym for a good 5 hours a week. Skip any high intensity cardio. You will like the results.
Thanks nimain. That’s more likely how I was going to approach this. I do need to eat a larger breakfast and I don’t think I get that much protein at lunch.
I can also deal with the fluffy period. I’ve only gained weight once in my life and it was during a time when I was on medication and eating pretty poorly. I was fine with the fat on my body. The only thing that I hated was my skin broke out pretty bad.
I’ve been eating around 2300 cals and shoot for 150g of protein and 300g carbs. Fat makes up the difference, which is usually somewhere between 50 and 60g. I usually hit that in 3 meals (and a snack here or there) and the food isn’t too “dirty”. Lots of oats, ezekiel bread, pasta and rice.
I usually feel really full and pumped at the gym. And the poops are awesome. Weight went up a pound or two this way, and started to get a little frustrated. Then, of course, my appetite got all wacky thanks to Aunt Flo. Now I’m carrying about 3 or 4 extra pounds of bloat and I hate it.
Slightly related question:
Anyone else out there want nothing to do with food before/during their period?? I used to want to eat everything in sight right before, but now its the opposite.
[quote]DiscoDani wrote:
Thanks nimain. That’s more likely how I was going to approach this. I do need to eat a larger breakfast and I don’t think I get that much protein at lunch.
I can also deal with the fluffy period. I’ve only gained weight once in my life and it was during a time when I was on medication and eating pretty poorly. I was fine with the fat on my body. The only thing that I hated was my skin broke out pretty bad. [/quote]
unless you need to start eating dirty to bulk I don’t forsee any skin issues. A good rate is 1-2lbs a weekup up to 10lbs in 2 months. Anything more and your probably stacking on more fat than muscles.
[quote]buckeye girl wrote:
Some good tips up there, Mainey.
I’ve been eating around 2300 cals and shoot for 150g of protein and 300g carbs. Fat makes up the difference, which is usually somewhere between 50 and 60g. I usually hit that in 3 meals (and a snack here or there) and the food isn’t too “dirty”. Lots of oats, ezekiel bread, pasta and rice.
I usually feel really full and pumped at the gym. And the poops are awesome. Weight went up a pound or two this way, and started to get a little frustrated. Then, of course, my appetite got all wacky thanks to Aunt Flo. Now I’m carrying about 3 or 4 extra pounds of bloat and I hate it.
Slightly related question:
Anyone else out there want nothing to do with food before/during their period?? I used to want to eat everything in sight right before, but now its the opposite. [/quote]
lol @ the poops are awesome.
I barely eat in the beginning of my period. I completely lose my appetite.
unless you need to start eating dirty to bulk I don’t forsee any skin issues. A good rate is 1-2lbs a weekup up to 10lbs in 2 months. Anything more and your probably stacking on more fat than muscles.
[/quote]
Alright, I’ll keep track of it. My skin is sensitive so even just adding more dairy makes it freak.
My appetite goes apeshit bananas from about a week before my period. That’s my binge danger time. It’s not that I get hungrier, it’s that I just want to eat and eat and eat.
Then when it starts, appetite drops off a lot. I do notice I don’t get the pre-TOM munchies quite as badly if I’m low carbing, however.
