Bulking: Do you eat whatever you please? cheat days?

[Xtreme2001]

I'm following a strict "clean" diet for this bulking cycle of mine coming up... I plan on allowing myself to one cheat day a week.. or cheat meal.

How many of you actually let a few extra meals.. deserts.. etc.. slide into your daily bulking feeding? Everyday? once a week?

I dont want to eat everything in sight, but it's tempting.. geez.

 

[Par Deus]

What most people think of as "clean" is actually somewhat counterproductive on a bulking diet. Carbs are what make bulking diets work. As long as you do not pig out on fat or fructose, the more you eat, the better -- this includes high GI carbs.

 

[110%]

when im bulking my main priority is to put on some muscle, so if i gain some extra fat than keeping it minimal fat gain as possible i could care less, its time for that. so i follow a good clean diet that i plan out each day to meet the requirements in cals and amounts per each macronutreint and get all those meals in. though if i watn some pizza i will have some, i dont set certain cheat meals i just will eat it if i really want it. though i dont really ever eat like candy bars, donuts, etc. though i really dont worry too much about pizza, arbys, hamburgers things like that.

 

[gymtime]

Gymtime's cheat day commandments:

1) Only do it if you deserve it. If you haven't eaten COMPLETELY CLEAN for the prior week, don't do it. Wait until you have six totally clean diet days behind you.

2) Cheat day is not "gorge yourself" day. Do not stuff yourself with crap at every meal. Keep it reasonable.

3) I think cheat days are important mentally. I love food. If I had to be on a cutting diet constantly, I'd never stick with it. Cheat day gives you something to look forward to. And I guarantee you, you will NEVER appreciate good food more than after a week of chicken, tuna, rice, and protein powder.

4) The day after a cheat day requires 10 times more discipline for me than any trip to the gym. You've had incredible food the day before, now it's time to get back to the grind, kinda like monday morning. Last tip, DO NOT extend cheat day into the next day, no matter how much you want to.

 

[chaste]

wonderful comments gymtime!

 

[=w=]

What most people think of as "clean" is actually somewhat counterproductive on a bulking diet. Carbs are what make bulking diets work. As long as you do not pig out on fat or fructose, the more you eat, the better -- this includes high GI carbs.

Can you expand on the part of high GI carbs? Do you mean post- workout (which I understand), or do you mean throughout the day as well (which goes against most of what is recomended)? Thank you in acvance - I am bulking right now with ONE and I want it to be as succesful (and though I do expect fat I want it as lean) as possible.

 

[kingsquat]

Can you expand on the part of high GI carbs? Do you mean post- workout (which I understand), or do you mean throughout the day as well (which goes against most of what is recomended)? Thank you in acvance - I am bulking right now with ONE and I want it to be as succesful (and though I do expect fat I want it as lean) as possible.

I think it totally depends on your bodytype... I am a serious hardgainer, who is lean by nature year round. For me, I can eat dairy queen and pizza hut 4 times per week and still have a visible 6 pack. You have to evaluate yourself and take into consideration the fact that you may or may not put on fat quickly. Obviosly for me, I take in high GH carbs throughout the day to maximize insulin production and glycogen storage. If you are a mesomorph, then you should minimize high GH carbs to postworkout and try and minimize fat intake for 3 to 4 hours after that. I'm no expert, just my 2 cents...

 

[juggernaut7]

hehe

im in with the few guys here that keep the six pack and eat whatever the hell i want to put on muscle...of course depends on metabolism,individual

 

[Par Deus]

Can you expand on the part of high GI carbs? Do you mean post- workout (which I understand), or do you mean throughout the day as well (which goes against most of what is recomended)? Thank you in acvance - I am bulking right now with ONE and I want it to be as succesful (and though I do expect fat I want it as lean) as possible.

High GI carbs increase insulin, which is anabolic in itself and also potentiates the effect of glucose on leptin, and leptin controls all of the other anabolic hormones.

It is not going to make much difference as far as fat gain -- if you overeat carbs for an extended period, you are going to gain some fat, whether they are high or low GI (assuming equal intake, of course)