Akuma has been churning out some consistently excellent, not to mention well-worded (pecs being large and invariably in charge, anyone?) threads recently and that’s motivated me to contribute some tips I’ve picked up recently.
They actually come from research showing how to reduce the amount you eat and I’ve adapted them to exploit whatever psychological instincts cause people to eat more for the purpose of bulking. Yes, rather than recipes for a 2,000 calorie milkshake, they’re psychological tricks to help you handle more food.
Even Professor X mentioned having limits, so I would hope these could also help those who already eat so much that it takes them a while to move their steaks.
#1 - Use large crockery: Using large plates, bowls, spoons and forks etc has been shown to increase the amount people eat. You might find switching tricks your brain into thinking your pile of steak and cornbread looks smaller and thus easier to demolish.
#2- Use distractions: I liked this tip. Being distracted while eating makes eating a lot a lot easier. Imagine being given a jumbo sack of popcorn and then left alone for 2 hours at a bare table to eat it all. Then imagine watching an awesome film with the same bag. Which scenario would it be easier to eat more popcorn in?
So instead of stoicly drawing yourself up to the dining table at 6am and mad-dogging your (now XL) plate of eggs and grilled bear, watch something engaging on tv or listen your favourite songs. Anything that will distract you could well help you manage XXL portions, and if you’re the sort who blends tuna and flax oil, take your mind off what you’re eating!
#3 - Keep food in sight. Research shows food that’s visible and easy to reach gets eaten faster, so for example if you have a tupperware with a meal in it, instead of leaving it in your bag, keep it somewhere you can see it, which may make it easier to eat, especially if you normally wouldn’t have been hungry.
#4 - Use a mirror at the table: Researchers believe being able to see yourself while you eat makes you more aware of your body and your diet goals. If you’re trying to bulk, this could be a great motivational tool when you eat - you glance over from the latest episode of Magnum PI, see your reflection and imagine yourself 20, 30, 50lbs heavier, before steeling yourself and shovelling that last seemingly insurmountable helping of buffalo meat into your mouth.
I hope that everyone, from beginners to those on 5,000cals a day, could benefit from these little tricks.