Transition Into Bulking Cylce

Whats up guys,

I'm finishing up my cutting cycle which started 2nd of May and ends this saturday.

RESULTS:
2 May 2004
weight-156 lbs
BF-23%

31 July
weight-140.5 lbs
BF-11%

Anyway it’s time to get massive but, i want to do so without putting on so much fat. So I was thinking of doing the following but(2 options), I would appreciate your advice first.

Figure out my new maintenance caloric requirement of course:

Immediately up the cals to this figure
or
Slowly work my way up to this new requirment, following a bi-weekly analysis.

I feel the correct choice is the first but I would like to know what the right choice is.

Also should I stay at my new maintenace
for about a month then begin a bulking phase.

Thank in Advance,
Osvaldo Hernandez Chavez

I find that immediatly switching from cutting to bulking leads to much more fat gain than gradually increasing calorie intake. I usually add 250 calories every other week until I’ve reached my target. I find I minimize fat gain this way. Remember…your not gonna get huge overnight.

I meant, do I inmediately switch to my new caloric maintenance requirements or do I slowly add 250 cals until I reach my new maintenance? Then stay there for a while.

Osvaldo, it sounds like you’ve been reading the boards and really (secretly) know what to do. (wink & grin)

Yes, stay at maintenance for one month. The goal during that one month is to determine your new maintenance calories. Keep on working out. Back off of the cardio a bit if you’ve been doing a lot. I’d recommend two HIIT sessions (or something of like kind) per week, which would be a gracious plenty.

At the end of the maintenance/transition month, increase calories by 250 kCal per day. If the week goes by and you don’t gain any weight, add another 250 kCal. 250 kCal is not a big increase. Approaching your bulking cycle systematically and precisely and with small incremental increases in kCal above maintenance will ensure that you put on a higher percentage of muscle per pound (than fat, obviously).

Don’t forget to pick out a new program, something different from what you’ve been doing currently to give your muscles a stimulus for growth. Two of my favorites are EDT and any of CW’s progams.

Have fun! And do share your results with us.