Why extra cals during a cycle?

[xonic2xonic]

If one has excess bodyfat like 18% in my case, why would I take extra (4000-5000) cals a day during a cycle. Assuming that protein is kept high, if I stay in the lower cal range (but not consuming less calories a day than expended) won't my body rip the extra energy it needs from my ample supply of fat?

Thanks!

 

[Nathan]

What are your goals with the cycle? If your cutting then you shouldn't eat the extra calories. It think the main reason why when gaining muscle is the priority extra calories are needed is because the gear increases the rate of protein synthesis and so added protein and calories are necessary for the body to build all the muscle you want it to.

 

[Stiffler]

are you trying to cut or bulk?

 

[xonic2xonic]

Well I need to cut the fat, but I wanted to bulk first with some help and then do cutting after....... But is there not something inbetween?

 

[Nathan]

I've heard of quite a few guys eating a moderate cal diet and losing a good amount of fat and also gaining a good amount of muscle using fina.

 

[supertraps]

If you get the extra cals from lean protein and clean carbs Then you can gain muscle and reduce BFP. I'm doing my fourth cycle and each time I have gained muscle weight and reduced BFP. It does depend on whether your bulking or cutting, but then just adjust your carb intake. Keeping Protein high, and not getting cals from junk (sugar and fat) will help you meet both of you goals IMHO.

 

[Zyglamail]

I think a lot of the super high cal recomendations really arent needed. Additional cals are but not as high as one would think. I am 4 weeks into a cutting cycle. I am approx 500 cal deficit per day and I have dropped 3%BF and added 14 lbs to my bodyweight, all in all I cant complaine.

Isnt it like 3500 cals to a pound? So if you expect a cycle to add 3lbs a week lean mass, thats 10500 divide by 7 days is an additional 1500 cals a day.

 

[Nathan]

I'm with Zyg. That was the way I was thinking about it but say your maintenance is 3000cal/day then 3000 + 1500 = 4500 cal/day which is what most people seem to recommend. I think that the 25cal/pound is a good rule of thumb for bulking. So to try and cut fat while bulking you may want to just try and eat at maintenance though it's definitely more effective if you just outright decide whether or not you want to bulk or cut and then eat accordingly.