bulking and cutting; time question

[Anna Kubit]

I understand that I need to bulk up and then cut in order to show muscles... I can't seem to build muscle well without proper nutrition, as in 'high cals, and some carbs.' Yet, when I am on a bulking up diet, I stay at the same BF% or my BF% goes up. I need my BF a lot lower still... So should I be trying to bulk up right now? Or should I try to concentrate more on losing the fat while building a little muslce? I am interested in the LONG TERM effects or what I do now, meaning that I would like to compete one day, and that's what I'm going towards (don't care as much about the short term look)...

My question to you is... For how long should I bulk up and then for how long should i cut? It takes time to put on muscle, so probably the answer can't be that it depends on deadlines I might have (such as wanting to look a certain way for/on a certain date)... I would though like to look shredded by mid December. YES, that's not a long time, I know. BUT, if this isn't realistic, OK. Given all that, what should my overall plan be starting now? I am in my 3rd week of hypertrophy-specific training (total 6 weeks planned). I think that I would like to finish this cycle of hypertrophy as it seems to work well for me (I have increased in strength a lot since starting; this is my 2nd cycle of hyper.....).

Oh another thing... I understand that in order to be able to cut, I'll need to put myself at a caloric deficit. This would mean I think, that I need my calories to be higher now then when I cut. Is that right? How fast will my metabolism adjust once I cut? How long might/should it take to 'fully' cut as in to realllly see all the new muscles I've gained? My problem areas are my lower stomach and things/hips. Should I be trying to do something extra to keep the BF% as low as possible in those areas while I bulk? I haven't tried Yohimburn yet... Should I use it now, or while I cut?

Main Q: IN ORDER TO COMPETE in the nearest possible future, what should I be doing NOW?

Thanks!

 

[*MissFit*]

You seem to have alot of questions and although i think its great that your showing such an interest. It might be advisable to find someone in your area who could give you hands on help with both your diet and workout.

Just my 2 cents

 

[ashley2212]

I can't seem to build muscle well without proper nutrition, as in 'high cals, and some carbs.' Yet, when I am on a bulking up diet, I stay at the same BF% or my BF% goes up.
What are your workouts like? In general, your bf% should be going up slightly when you bulk. Also, it takes lots of time and lots of hard work to build muscle... if you are eating properly and working out properly, it will make it a lot easier.
I need my BF a lot lower still... So should I be trying to bulk up right now? Or should I try to concentrate more on losing the fat while building a little muslce?
That's the age-old question. Really, it doesn't much matter which you start with. What is your bf% now? You have to be willing to EAT and put on a little bf when you bulk, so if your bf is already high, maybe you'd want to lower that first.
My question to you is... For how long should I bulk up and then for how long should i cut? It takes time to put on muscle, so probably the answer can't be that it depends on deadlines I might have (such as wanting to look a certain way for/on a certain date)... I would though like to look shredded by mid December. YES, that's not a long time, I know. BUT, if this isn't realistic, OK.
Not only is mid-December not realistic, but any time within the next year or two is unrealistic as well. There was a thread on this board at one point where someone said that, in general, it takes about 5 years after you start training hard to be prepared for a show. That is is you do it naturally, of course. Bulking up and cutting runs generally until you reach the goal that you set before you start. For instance, if you decide to cut 3% bf, work your ass off until you get there and then re-evaluate your situation. Just don't stay in a cutting diet for too long. Same with bulking - if you decide to gain 3-5lbs of muscle, closely monitor it until you get there, then re-evaluate.
Oh another thing... I understand that in order to be able to cut, I'll need to put myself at a caloric deficit. This would mean I think, that I need my calories to be higher now then when I cut. Is that right? Maintainence is usually 10-12 x your bodyweight in cals. You should be eating more cals to bulk and less to cut. How fast will my metabolism adjust once I cut? How long might/should it take to 'fully' cut as in to realllly see all the new muscles I've gained? It all depends how much bf you're starting out with to be able to tell how long it might take to lean out to where you'll really see muscle definition. My problem areas are my lower stomach and things/hips. Should I be trying to do something extra to keep the BF% as low as possible in those areas while I bulk? I haven't tried Yohimburn yet... Should I use it now, or while I cut? You can't spot reduce, so you just have to take it as it comes. I would wait until you lean out to assess what areas you need to work on. As I said, you have to be willing to EAT and put on a little fat to bulk. When you start cutting, the best idea is to get your diet in order first. Lose as much as you can with your diet clean and if you're looking to push it a step further, then look into some fat burners.


Main Q: IN ORDER TO COMPETE in the nearest possible future, what should I be doing NOW?
Post up your stats, diet, and workout routine and let the lovely ladies of EF get you set on the right track

 

[Lililston]

I can't seem to build muscle well without proper nutrition, as in 'high cals, and some carbs.' Yet, when I am on a bulking up diet, I stay at the same BF% or my BF% goes up.
What are your workouts like? In general, your bf% should be going up slightly when you bulk. Also, it takes lots of time and lots of hard work to build muscle... if you are eating properly and working out properly, it will make it a lot easier.
I need my BF a lot lower still... So should I be trying to bulk up right now? Or should I try to concentrate more on losing the fat while building a little muslce?
That's the age-old question. Really, it doesn't much matter which you start with. What is your bf% now? You have to be willing to EAT and put on a little bf when you bulk, so if your bf is already high, maybe you'd want to lower that first.
My question to you is... For how long should I bulk up and then for how long should i cut? It takes time to put on muscle, so probably the answer can't be that it depends on deadlines I might have (such as wanting to look a certain way for/on a certain date)... I would though like to look shredded by mid December. YES, that's not a long time, I know. BUT, if this isn't realistic, OK.
Not only is mid-December not realistic, but any time within the next year or two is unrealistic as well. There was a thread on this board at one point where someone said that, in general, it takes about 5 years after you start training hard to be prepared for a show. That is is you do it naturally, of course. Bulking up and cutting runs generally until you reach the goal that you set before you start. For instance, if you decide to cut 3% bf, work your ass off until you get there and then re-evaluate your situation. Just don't stay in a cutting diet for too long. Same with bulking - if you decide to gain 3-5lbs of muscle, closely monitor it until you get there, then re-evaluate.
Oh another thing... I understand that in order to be able to cut, I'll need to put myself at a caloric deficit. This would mean I think, that I need my calories to be higher now then when I cut. Is that right? Maintainence is usually 10-12 x your bodyweight in cals. You should be eating more cals to bulk and less to cut. How fast will my metabolism adjust once I cut? How long might/should it take to 'fully' cut as in to realllly see all the new muscles I've gained? It all depends how much bf you're starting out with to be able to tell how long it might take to lean out to where you'll really see muscle definition. My problem areas are my lower stomach and things/hips. Should I be trying to do something extra to keep the BF% as low as possible in those areas while I bulk? I haven't tried Yohimburn yet... Should I use it now, or while I cut? You can't spot reduce, so you just have to take it as it comes. I would wait until you lean out to assess what areas you need to work on. As I said, you have to be willing to EAT and put on a little fat to bulk. When you start cutting, the best idea is to get your diet in order first. Lose as much as you can with your diet clean and if you're looking to push it a step further, then look into some fat burners.


Main Q: IN ORDER TO COMPETE in the nearest possible future, what should I be doing NOW?
Post up your stats, diet, and workout routine and let the lovely ladies of EF get you set on the right track

good post