So Here's The Scenario.

[bran987]

You're going along on a very CLEAN bulking diet... trying your best to put on some size without putting on a spare tire... you're doing great for a few weeks, you put on 3 or 4 pounds and it's lookin' good... you're determined to put on 12-14 pounds of muscle with less than 5 lbs. fat.

Then life happens.

You gotta go outta town for a couple weeks off and on, eat only 3 (or god forbid 2) times per day, and it's not oatmeal and tuna.

The training sucks.

So you get back... and you've gained another 2 or 3 pounds... but this time you know it's not the good kind.

Do you:

A) Diet back down for 2 weeks to lose the 2 or 3 pounds.. and risk some of the gains you've made?

I) With extra cardio?

II) With less cals?

B) Power forward, even though you may have to end the bulk sooner than you would've liked because you refuse to let yourself get close to being fat again.

 

[BOOEY]

It's a personal choice, but I've been in that situation many a time. I find that 'powering forward' is the best option. It's really best to stick to a goal and committ to it until you reach it. Too many people stop bulking b/c they feel they've gotten fat way before reaching their goal weight. This will only set you back, and take you longer to where you want to be. Even if you're diet is 'very clean' you're going to gain some fat regardless of what you do, no two ways around it (unless roids are put into the equation). Remember, fat can always be taken care of later down the road.
But as far as the future goes, you have to be strict and even when you go out, try to keep your diet and training first priority.
g/l