Opinions please. Welcome to Plateauland. Population: Pintoca

[pintoca]

You must zigzag your calories from ultra low (after cheat days for ex.) to bmr (middle of week) to slightly higher (to spike leptin/metabolism etc)

I'd go 1200-2200 range

I'd keep that in mind, until know I was zig-zagging in the 2100-2600 range (3 days low, 1 day high)

I guess, the real test is measuring how much LBM is lost doing that. With the range I used before the amounf ot LBM lost in comparison the amount of fat is negligible.

Thanks for the comment.

 

[Gymgurl]

Is the first time your weight has plateaued since losing.....it might just be adjusting and sometimes if you don't panic and keep doing with your doing it will begin to drop again....but not always....

 

[pintoca]

Is the first time your weight has plateaued since losing.....it might just be adjusting and sometimes if you don't panic and keep doing with your doing it will begin to drop again....but not always....

Yeah I know, but I just hate to "wait and see"... I did it for 2 weeks and then decided I needed to try something else.

As long as I am monitoring constantly what is going on I'm sure I won't let it get off hands, the moment I see fat is gaining on me, back to the cutting table.

Besides, I am having ENORMOUS fun being a spoiled brat with all this eating... it feels good!!!

 

[gjohnson5]

OK guys, little update after a week of "bulking" at Maintenance level (2900 cals):

4.1 lbs LBM gained
1.4 lbs FAT gained
5.5 lbs TOTAL gained

Obviously, my body is still getting used to the sudden increase in cals, as nobody should gain this much on maintenance cals.

My plan is to continue to eat at maintenance for 1 more week and then up to real bulking cals at 3500 cals/day and see what happens. Hopefully this will not blow in my face. After 4 weeks, I will return to cutting-mode with a vengeance.

One thing I can tell, besides the fact that going to the Gym and pushing/pulling really heavy stuff is much more fun than working with girly weights is that I swear I can tell where that LBM went: I can see it all in my upper body, specifically in the area around my delt/chest.

During the past 7 days I did cardio.... ONCE, and only for 30 mins... BWHAHAHAHAH

Anyway, will keep you posted on that.

Here a pic of the upperbody (still very much a work in progress)

If it's mostly lean , why do you worry about that?? LBM should be welcome at all times.

 

[pintoca]

If it's mostly lean , why do you worry about that?? LBM should be welcome at all times.

Nor complaining Emperor, not at all. Wish I could keep this pace!!!

 

[chewyxrage]

Good idea to start a mini bulk phase, I usually do that to switch things up if I think I'm plateauing - what are you using to measure body fat?

 

[pintoca]

Good idea to start a mini bulk phase, I usually do that to switch things up if I think I'm plateauing - what are you using to measure body fat?

Basically, the same body fat scale I've been using since I started. Not the most accurate of methods, I know, but for looking at trends, gets the job done. It has me right now at 26%... The one you hold (supposed to measure upper body) has me at 20,1%

If I were to believe both are doing their job more or less OK, I would say right now I am some 24% maybe.

 

[pintoca]

k... I am done with the "bulking" thing... started to gain fat too fast to my taste. Guess that:

1. I went to 3000 cals too fast, next time will start at 2500 and move from there
2. Didn't keep it AS CLEAN as I should (added a burger there for good measure) shame on me
3. My body REALLY needs the cardio

So as of today I am in cutting mode again. I am keeping my "bulking-mode lifting", because I really like it.

Let's see where I get this time. hang on

 

[Roonytunes]

k... I am done with the "bulking" thing... started to gain fat too fast to my taste. Guess that:

1. I went to 3000 cals too fast, next time will start at 2500 and move from there
2. Didn't keep it AS CLEAN as I should (added a burger there for good measure) shame on me
3. My body REALLY needs the cardio

So as of today I am in cutting mode again. I am keeping my "bulking-mode lifting", because I really like it.

Let's see where I get this time. hang on

GOOD LUCK! I like reading about your updates.

Speaking of cutting, what does TDEE mean in your cutting calculator? I am not sure what to put in for a min and max. Also, does this calculator apply to both men and women? I notice nothing happens when you change gender. Regardless, it's a great tool and thank you for creating and distributing it here.

 

[Gigantasor]

Have you thought about using the StairMonster? I know that it sucks but my best results have been from that thing. I hit it 3 on 1 off 3 on for 50 mins. This is guidance I have been given by my diet and training coaches and it seems to work. You saw my previous post concerning my current diet.

From what I understand and have learned you can over cardio. You think it is possible that you may be doing that?