posted Tue, 03/06/2018 - 20:54
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Getting past the mental block when bulking...what say you
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So this past winter I stopped my Keto diet and added back in carbs and upped Cal's in an effort to bulk. While I was successful in a small amount I feel it could have been better. Looking back now I realize one of my biggest struggles was dealing with the mental issue of loosing sight of my abs. I know that sounds crazy but when you've worked so hard at something to watch it disappear it's not easy, for me at least. For those that have delt with this, how did you get past the mental hurdle? I know it held me back to some degree and I can't be the only one who's brain got in the way lol
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What are these abs you speak of?
Kidding. For some folks, like me. Cutting down and maintaining low bf enough to see abs is a not an easy task.
I have the opposite problem. I don’t want to loose my strength. I’ll start cutting and my lifting weight starts declining. This is a serious mind fk. Even though as the fat starts dropping off I get compliments I look bigger, but in my mind I’ve gotten weaker as I can’t lift as much.
The road to abdominals can be a struggle for many, but once achieved is fairly easy to maintain. I must agree with most of the community here and advocate for cutting excessive calories and increasing cardio when possible. I empathize with the mental hurdle of having them disappear, but always get a motivational rush watching them slowly come back and develop when cutting. Best of luck sir.
AnonI used to have abs when I was around 18/19, then I enlisted in the marine corps and indulged in the filth this world provides. Abs have been no existent ever since, I don't miss them though, I figure if I get stabbed it will have to be a long blade. I value the perks.
Good positive attitude dude lol I like it! Thanks for your service Juice
basskiller89I don't really believe you need to lose your abs to bulk. I think for me that would be an indicator that my calories are too high. I grew my last 10lbs of muscle under 10% body fat without any issues. From my experiences I only needed an extra 300-500 calories at most. If you start to get frustrated with your body fat just take a week off from bulking and cut back down every 2-3 weeks. I think Mawka advocates cyclical bulking and cutting to some extent. He may be able to help you with this
yeah, really no reason to lose sight of your abs. they may be little less visible but with cyclic bulking you should be able to stay in good condition. If you start losing sight of your abs, that is good sign that you need to do a mini-cut and reset your insulin sensitivity so you switch the weight gain preferentially back to muscle instead of fat.
Thanks for your insight dude.....I have read Mawkas thread a few times. Maybe I was being to hard on myself and expectations were too high
basskiller89Anytime brother. Don't overthink it, if you're losing your abs just cut back on the calories or cyclically cut every few weeks while bulking to maintain what you want to look like
Things that helped me. Learning to keep your stomach tight while breathing. Cardio treadmill keep your abs semi flexed and breath then apply it while you work out. Then do sit ups and flutter kicks daily until your happy.
Hello Sir,
I like how George Farah said in one of his interviews: "If you can't see your abs off season, don't call yourself a bodybuilder because you are not."
Whether you are an enhanced or non-enhanced athlete your abs should be visible all your round, obviously not as deep off-season but should be there. Many athletes use term off-season or bulking just to eat whatever they want but that is a route to nowhere. Then trying to burn all that fat you end up doing endless cardio and you are back to square one.
Regards.
How I deal with it is I eat a shit ton of tasty food! ... just keep your bf in a manageable % and all is good ... I try to stay no more than 15% ish when bulking but at times it creeps higher I’m sure....if you don’t go on the McDonald’s and ice cream diet and you still r kicking it in the gym you’ll be fine....
Look up makwa and check out his cycle bulking forum... I’d post a link but I’m technically challenged
Thanks Drock....I still eat clean 90% of the week with some Halo top ice cream a few days a week ;)
No prob...now go eat a pizza!
When I'm bulking I only look in the mirror wearing clothes.. this avoids the urge to jump back into cutting back down again.
That is smart, +1 if i could
Good call.....I had a bad habit of dissecting every thing at in one. Need to just forget the mirror at the point of trying to bulk
What where your results, why did you decide to bulk
I dont bulk. During a certain time of year i try to add alittle size while still maitaining abs.. i increase calories, i add an extra meal with alittle less cardio ( stillsome) lol
I have found that if my mind isnt 100% into something, then its gona turn out half azz. What would you do differently next time
I gained 7lbs over the course of about 8 weeks. Much of it water weight from being on keto for so long. I never lost complete visibility of my abs but I know looking back now it was mental block. I would cut myself off from eating sometimes because of it. It was my first time trying to purposely bulk, really just see if I could.
First of all, bodybuilding is a very mental sport. Unless you are mentally focused and resolved to achieve your specific planned goal you are bound for failure.
While no one should be a fat slob while bulking , a bulk is a bulk. Visible abdominals is never a goal while bulking.
Unless you are able to cut out negative emotionalism you will never achieve your goals.
What do you want? Size or cuts? Try looking at the positives like stretching the sleeves out of every t-shirt made for normal people, rather than worrying if you’ve still got bumps under your shirt. They’ll still be there when you cut down brother.