bulking questions.

[ParanoidAndroid]

OK, after a 7 month, 40 lb bulk, I've been cutting for the last 5 weeks, going from 175 and 34 waist to about 169ish and 33 waist. I'd say I'm about 12-13 percent BF. I'm planning on going on a big, clean slow bulk, aiming for 190 by january.

My question is this: Am I lean enough to bulk? Everything I read says that you better be pretty damn lean before you bulk or you will add too much fat. I don't mind adding fat, but I don't want to add 2 lbs of fat per lb of muscle. That would really suck.

Also, does anyone have experience of bulking from a not-so lean BF(like 12)? Were you able to add mostly lean mass?

Also, if it matters, I have a pretty slow metabolism and tend to put on fat pretty easily.(I was a pretty fat kid 3 yrs ago...)

Thanks for the help, it is much appreciated.

[Kevin T.]

I went from 145 (around 9% bf) to 175 (around 12%) and gained a little bit of fat. Since then, I've gone up to 182 then up to 195. My max bf was about 14%. I really didn't even try. I just ate a lot and lifted and played sports, so nothing really useful to add here. You obviously have your diet under control with the success you've already achieved. But yea, its possible to bulk up without putting on too much fat. I'm around 13% now. I wanna get down to 11% which I think will put me in optimal condition for sports.

[Alcoholiday]

i'm decently lean, but not see your ab lean. I went from 155-230 now. I've never cut.

I think the certain bf thing is wrong.

[Snake_eyes]

The 10% rule was mostly for aesthetic purposes not health, if you're satisfied with your leaness, than bulk...and if you think your gaining too much fat just cut back cals a little...i was also a fat kid and the last time i bulked i went from 14% to 16%, it wasn't too bad, i also gained about 20lbs in the process

[Simon C]

If you cut down to 10-11% you'll have alot more room to grow before you get to a point when you want to cut.

And If your planning to go all the way to 190 without cutting, then you will be a bit leaner when you get there.

So think about where you are now, and where you will be if you start at 10, or 12% BF, because until you cut again your BF will be coupld % higher.

[ParanoidAndroid]

thanks for the input guys.

I'll go slowly and see how it goes.

[jijin]

You could try the G-flux method, and see if that helps. If I understand it correctly, it should increase your metabolism and help you gain muscle and lose fat in a slow fashion.