What's a reasonable goal?

[kimchee411]

So I just recently just finished a cutting cycle and have started a "lean bulk," at about 2600-2900 calories/day -- at or just below my total daily burn. I plan on doing this until the end of April before I cut again to get well into single digit BF%. My question is, what is a reasonable goal in terms of pounds of lean muscle I am looking to gain?

I am 5'9", 170, 10-12% BF. I train 4 days/week in the traditional once a week per muscle group fashion. I'm not a "hard gainer" or anything, though I'm not super genetically gifted either.

Give me a ballpark figure. I have no clue. Thanks!

 

[Numani]

170 pounds. 10-12% bf.

2600-2900cals a day.

would not expect more than 5lbs on the scale(thats being very generous!). lean muscle is anyones guess.

insufficient calories is what most people would say.

 

[anotherbutters]

I wouldn't expect anything to be honest. When I started eating more, all that happened was my metabolism adjusted to cater for it. I had to get up to around 4,000 to escape that.

 

[kimchee411]

I wouldn't expect anything to be honest. When I started eating more, all that happened was my metabolism adjusted to cater for it. I had to get up to around 4,000 to escape that.

What?? Are you saying I'm not going to gain any muscle after 4 months of training?

 

[cubuff27]

You can lift all you want, but if your calorie intake is barely above your baseline level than your body has no fuel to grow. Kind of like adding just a "little" bit of gas to a race car....it can only go as fast as the fuel will take it.

 

[scout69]

If your skinny have always been skinny your going to have to really boost your calorie intake because like stated above your metabolism is just going to speed up..

 

[Lee]

Clean bulking is like skiing with no skis. Try as you might, but success is not probable.