Need a Break from Bulking

Bigger Stronger Leaner Beginners
1

I know I “should” bulk for another year or two but I need a break from it. With my metabolism it’s just not a pleasant way to live because it requires constantly stuffing myself with more food than I’d ever want to eat, minimizing fruits and vegetables etc.

So… should I maintain weight for a while and work on getting stronger and a bit leaner, or should I cut to my “untrained” level of bodyfat? Which would be more productive in the long term?

I’ve never measured my bodyfat levels but I’m naturally very lean - I had six-pack abs all my adult life with no exercise and a desk job. I’d guesstimate I’ve gained 10-12 kilos of fat on this bulk.

2

#1 problem, who gave you the idea you should avoid fruits and veggies?

#2 that’s a LOT of fat. how much weight have you gained overall?

sb

3

I don’t avoid fruits and vegetables entirely, just don’t eat as much of them as I’d like, and largely stick to calorie-dense ones like bananas and grapes. Plus onions, garlic and peppers.

I’ve gained 26 kg.

4

How long has this bulk lasted and what have your strength improvements been?

5

A year. Hard to say how much strength I’ve really gained as I was completely untrained at the start. I now deadlift 151 kg for five reps, bb hack squat 149 kg for seven.

6

The fact that it’s bothering you means that you should lighten up on the fat production. Unless you need to get huge for football or something, I don’t see any point in bulking beyond a reasonable point. I think you’ve passed that point.

Losing fat doesn’t have to mean getting skinny.
http://www.arthurdevany.com/2007/11/super_mike_agai.html

Stu

7

eat right. zone diet is a good start. lift hard. if you really want to do some fat shedding, add in a couple of days of sprinting on you off days.

sb

8

Thanks. It isn’t really the fat that bothers me as much as the mental effort required to stuff myself every 2-3 waking hours, but I guess in the end that doesn’t make any difference.