Bah, I suck at bulking

[Madd Hatter]

So after 3 years of this lifting stuff I finally sat down, broke out a notebook for something other than training, and started a diet log, sorta. Imagine my surprise when I realized that since I've been eating clean, I've never ate more than 3000cals, even when I thought I was bulking for my PH cycle (I'm 6'2" floating around 200lbs currently).

Nowadays, on an "average" day I'm barely eating 2500. Since I've recently been trying to cut down a little, no big deal, maybe even too many cals. I do know that this amount with little cheating and 3 days of cardio was making the pants fit looser.

But now I'm contemplating trying bulking again, this time the right way. Partly because I'm starting DC training in a few weeks, partly because being the "big" guy was always my goal (quickly becoming a fantasy). I got my working diet to just under 3500 cals, 49% protein 37% carbs, 14% fat. Not sure this is enough cals, carbs, or fat. I was originally shooting for 4000 cals. The only way I can do this is to eat even more peanuts/eggs than I already will be (1/2 cup and 3 xlg, respectively), or start drinking flax oil by the glass. I'm a pretty picky eater, and everything clean I will eat I already am. Would it matter how much I ate of one thing as long as my ratios are good? What's a "good" ratio to shoot for anyway? Cals? I have it in my head that bw x 20 is the ultimate bulk. On a bulking diet like this, is one cheat meal a week (often pizza) ok to "shock" the body or am I gonna be in enough trouble?

 

[therobber]

i think your headed in the right direction... i have a similar build 6'2 210 ...the first time i bulked i used the "see food diet" and gained roughly 50lbs in about 4-5 months with only 20lbs being muscle and a serious loss off strength within the last month of the diet(5000-6000cal 200-300pro 500-700carbs)..although i ate very clean i didn't keep track of cheat meals... im dont count cals now i just make sure i get 6 meals a day of whole food and a shake in (not pwo) with each meal containing at least 40g protien.. i dont count carbs but i do make sure that they come only from good sources(potatoes, rice, oats, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread) ..... i think it is important to keep at least two cheat meals(not days lol) in your diet per week and don't even bother with the cardio...since following this diet i gained 10-15 lbs in about 5 months... i think i could have gained a lot more but i haven't been as consistant as i should have... getting sick and other factors are a bitch.... but i plan to gradually increase everything in my diet and my goal is to reach 250 very lean this time next year.... good luck man i think the most important thing to remember is just eat a lot of good food and train when your supposed to.... there are no short cuts