Posted: 9/29/2014 9:54:02 PM EDT
| I've fought getting fat and been fat for a good bit of my life. My high was 264lbs at 5'10". I am currently at roughly 185lbs. Now that I'm getting close to a good starting weight/body composition, I'm thinking about adding some muscle. Everything I read about adding muscle says that you have to eat like it's your job if you want to bulk up. This is after hearing for a few years that you can't outrun your fork. I know guys and have read about others that are eating 4000+ calories per day while adding muscle. These aren't professional guys either, just normal dudes that want to get big. How do they not just get fat as hell? I know they aren't burning 1500-2000 calories every day lifting weights, yet while they add some fat, they are getting a lot more muscular. |
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being fat makes it easier to retain/build fat. Get to sub 15% bodyfat... stay there for 6 months, then you can start to jack calories up. YOU WILL GAIN FAT... but you'll gain muscle too. Understand: Most of the "Eat calores like its your job" nonsense is, though not explained on the surface, mostly geared towards people whom juice... |
| Keep in mind that the more muscle you put on, the more calories your body burns in a resting state as well as when moving. As you put on more muscle, your body needs more calories to sustain that muscle. When you are fat your body releases more chemicals to stay fat as well as burning less calories in both a resting and moving state. |
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Its impossible to avoid growing fat at some point, its the body's attempt at a nutrition reserve and if you sleep, it will happen. Its impossible to regulate your diet to avoid a surplus if you are trying to gain muscle.
What I've seen from myself and helping others is not about the exact caloric intake, but rather what the intake is comprised of. You might eat the same amount of calories as you did when you were *fat*, but it will be a better distribution of calories through the nutritional scale. You might eat a grilled chicken breast, broccoli, and brown rice three times a day, 5 or 6 egg whites with turkey bacon and an apple, and a small lean sirloin with new potatoes and jasmine rice just in ONE day. It will probably be the same amount of calories as before, but the carbs, sugar, and sodium will be minimized. The body will break down muscle without a steady supply of energy, whether caloric energy or fat. Thats why the HITT program is so effective. I am not a fan of diets because I feel that people get burnt out, but if I had to pick one it would follow the Paleo. |
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Quoted:
Keep in mind that the more muscle you put on, the more calories your body burns in a resting state as well as when moving. As you put on more muscle, your body needs more calories to sustain that muscle. When you are fat your body releases more chemicals to stay fat as well as burning less calories in both a resting and moving state. I've heard people say that well trained legs are the number one fat fighter. |