Comments on: Are Excess Calories Really Required To Build Muscle?

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:04:27 +0000

Hey Mark, i totally agree with you on this, but do you really think that eating 500 or 600 calories extra a day is too much when entering a bulking period (about 1 pound of extra weight per week).

By: Sean Cook

Sean Cook — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 01:30:35 +0000

Right on Mark! Eating 5-7 small meals throughout the day keeping within your caloric needs will do the trick. Pre- and post- workout meals are the most important along with getting enough quality protein. It is the % of Protein/Carbs/Fat the each one needs to figure out for their own unique situation. 😉

By: kenny

kenny — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:23:43 +0000

great info mark.cheers

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:07:28 +0000

@ Johnny. On a TSPA Cut, the workouts are structured slightly differently to allow ketones alone to do he job. I notice no difference in workout performance despite the glycogen depletion.
@ Andrew. Water is so important. Hydration impacts upon strength, strength obviously impacts upon workout performance.
@ Yavor. Depends on the diet too. I keep updating my testimonials section with new emails from people who are not only staying lean but oftentimes building muscle and losing fat at the same time
@ SP. Exactly, thanks!

By: SupplementPricing.com

SupplementPricing.com — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:10:11 +0000

Very well put. I think it’s a mistake for people to just assume that they have to eat 3500 calories or something to gain weight. It makes a lot more sense to calculate what you need and then try to stick with that.

By: Yavor Marichkov

Yavor Marichkov — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:22:48 +0000

Good call. Probably only very lean folks can get away with bulking without becoming fat.

By: Andrew Mast

Andrew Mast — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:32:12 +0000

Good stuff. I’m finding that if I eat just a few hundred calories above my resting metabolism, I get much better results where I’m gaining muscle and losing (or maintaining the same) fat. Also, more water intake seems to help my muscles stay thick and better to carry out their flushing and energy transportation. My prior 8 week program was lacking water intake. Now that I’m increasing water to almost a gallon a day, I’m finding it helps with so many aspects of muscle gain and energy. I drink a cup before a meal followed by one after.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:21:55 +0000

So what about glycogen, flattening out, and workout performance?

Anyways, I ran this new post. I sent it to t-nation and they liked it but said it needed broader appeal. I would like everyone to read/comment on it.

Thanks.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:47:38 +0000

@ johnny. Good to hear from you again. No I don’t carb up when cutting, it’s all a out aggresive fat burning at that stage.
@ sharpman – Thanks!
@ who am I – that was exactly my story year on year too. Fatter and skinnier, fatter then skinnier. It’s best to end this cycle once and for all and make life easy on yourself.

By: WHO AM I

WHO AM I — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:48:41 +0000

I agree with what Sharpman writes, you have done a really good job with the whole site so congrats on that. I only started M.A.N.S early December but I believe I’m seeing better results than I have in the past. I spent from November 2007 to December 2008 trying to improve my body and in that time I bulked and cut many times, eating well over 3000 calories at times while bulking, yet I entered Decemeber 2008 pretty much the way I looked in November 2007. Getting fat while bulking with loads of carbs put me off so I would cut and the cycle continued. Now I have to thank you Mark, because I believe with the advice you’ve given I will finally be able to actually add some muscle mass.

Thanks

By: Sharpman

Sharpman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:41:53 +0000

Hey Mark thanks for the great post. I would like to thank you for all your hard work and dedication in providing very detailed posts and for free of charge. One of the best and most useful sites I have come across. Very true about stuffing up on carbs. Thanks and keep up the great work. Cheers.

By: johnny

johnny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:47:27 +0000

So what is a typical cut like for you?
Do you still carb up?

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:23:28 +0000

Yep, makes perfect sense when you think about it, right? There’s no excess if it’s needed.

By: Son of Grok

Son of Grok — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:19:51 +0000

That is one of the most novel ways to put it that I have ever heard. Love it Mark! That is very true… who would ever need “excess” calories? Grrrrrrrrrreat post.

The SoG