Hi all,

I really need some opinions on whether or not I should bulk yet.

See here: http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=23976&page=2

Some people suggested that I should bulk now cos my muscle mass is too low to lose much more fat... and while that does make sense I still feel that I have too much fat around my waist and am having alot of trouble with the idea of bulking at this stage. Although the increased cals will be very welcome.

I am so very terrified of putting on the fat that I have lost. It has taken me a year and a bit to lose 50 kilograms (110 pounds) and I dont think I could bear any setbacks. I realise that with a bulk I will put on some fat which brings me to my next question...

If I were to bulk at this stage how long should I bulk for?

Or instead of going for a full on bulk rather just increase cals marginally and try a clean bulk instead. I do however plan on eating very cleanly whether on a bulk or not... I just so happen to much prefer clean food over junk.

Any opinions welcome...

I'd say bulk, yes. Keep it clean and fat gain will be minimal. Talk to Swolecat about Sup2 if you want some serious guidance on lean mass gain.

Scratch that, I didn't scroll down to the newer pics in your thread... see my post 2 below.

IMO, you should continue cutting, but ensure you are not eating too few calories, lifting very intensely and not performing high intensity fasted cardio.

You look great, and amazing compared to how you started, but you certainly would look even better if you lowered your body fat a few more percentages.

Again, just my opinion.

I disagree... if you cut anymore you'll look like a skeleton. Bulk, but make it a clean and slow bulk.

I disagree... if you cut anymore you'll look like a skeleton. Bulk, but make it a clean and slow bulk.

Oh shit!! I retract my statement above! I only looked at the first post in that thread, forgetting I remembered seeing a week or so ago that you've updated with new pics.

BULK BULK BULK!

Yeah, I'd go ahead and start a clean bulk.

Start off slow. Begin by slowly adding some calories via carbs. I'd add some oats at breakfast, perhaps some preworkout carbs and up the postworkout carbs some.

I said this before in the other thread, but I agree that you should bulk. Even if you just lost another 5 pounds or so, you'd be starting to look really skinny and would be in serious need of bulking. You're reasonably lean already, and I think that bulking will definitely help you out, especially if you eat as clean as you plan to.

Bulk my good man.

Bulk! What weight program have you been using?

Bulk bulk bulk bulk. Your progress has been amazing and a good clean bulk will do you real well and as you even mentioned it will speed the small amount of fat loss you still have left and certainly give you a more filled out look. Keep us posted!

Your progress has been amazing ...
I should have said this earlier too. Preach, your progress really has been incredible! :tucool:

Thank so much guys...

I feel much more confident now about bulking so today it begins. I will update here from time to time and let you all know how its going. :tu:

I have just started Chad Waterbury's TBT found here: http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=508031

I like this routine alot and I hope it works well for me... :bb:

Once again thanks everyone, it makes a huge difference being able to chat to interested people in similar situations about my goals and dreams!

You have been at a calorie deficit for over a year. If I were you I would get up to maintenance calories and stay there for 30-45 days. At that point your metabolism should be back to peaking and you then could make a decision if you were going to add cals to your maintenance total based on your results. Just my opinion, but I think if you go from cutting for a full year to a full fledge bulk you will put on more fat than need be.

You have been at a calorie deficit for over a year. If I were you I would get up to maintenance calories and stay there for 30-45 days. At that point your metabolism should be back to peaking and you then could make a decision if you were going to add cals to your maintenance total based on your results. Just my opinion, but I think if you go from cutting for a full year to a full fledge bulk you will put on more fat than need be.
Good advice. I'm not really a big fan of the immediate jump from one calorie intake or macro ratio to another. I prefer easing into it over the course of at least a week, if not a few weeks. This may be just my personal preference though; many people prefer jumping right in immediately.

Hi all,

If I were you I would get up to maintenance calories and stay there for 30-45 days.

I have actually been at maintenance for about a month now. Steady body weight and my BF only came down one percent in the last month.

I dont plan to make a massive change to my cals... just about 300 to 500 per day. I plan to take it day by day and see what happens... I will watch my BF and if there are any big increases then I will adjust.

Thats my plan anyway...