BULK/SPECIALIZATION EXPERIENCES? DO TELL!

[sandi]

After a discussion in my journal, I'd like to bring it out here.

Who has done a specialization and/or a bulk (either on your own or with Erik)?

How did you feel during the process, and how did you deal with the fat gain(Erik, notice i didn't say 'weight' gain....:love55:)? What results did you achieve? And, would you do it again? Also, any advice for those starting a bulk/specialization?

Thanks!

[kirstny]

Ooh, good thread! I am starting a bulk Monday and I am definitely nervous!
I will be reading along!
:clap:

[sandi]

Ooh, good thread! I am starting a bulk Monday and I am definitely nervous!
I will be reading along!
:clap:

I am in week #2 and nervous as well. But, I'm trying to just roll with it.....to give my all to it just as I give my all to contest dieting/prep.

After being very lean for the past year, it's hard NOT to get a bit mental.

[Inatic]

Hey Sandi.

I've done 2 specializations with Erik and am currently doing it again.

As i said in your journal, i'd spent YRS losing fat and trying to get to a place that i could do so. Too bad i didnt cross Erik's path yrs earlier.. i know it wouldnt have taken me so long.

I spent an entire yr 'talking' to myself and mentally preparing for the fact that i was chosing to do this.. i knew i was going to gain some fat but it was going to be worth it because of the muscle gains i'd get out of it.

Having Erik's guidance, i knew i was in the best hands and that he would never let me turn into the a blimp.. naturally he cant controll what i'd chose to eat but i knew, if i followed my program i'd see results.

I think i handled it all very well. I totally enjoyed the whole process and dieting down was even more rewarding as we uncovered what we 'grew'

I did buy a few items the first go round because some of lean jeans, as a reward, were quite, er........ fitted :D so I got a few pair just a size up .
The second time around, i fit into all my same clothes.

Some of the things i really enjoyed, besides more food :piggie: was my strength and energy to hammer it out in the gym. I loved watching my body change and transform, even with some of the fat gains.. I still looked leaner then i did dieting down the first go round.

Ea time i've done one, I was quite pleased at the results. Id do it again, as i've done it twice and currently working on one again..

So i'll grow a little fluff.. We got it off twice, it will come off again :D and i'll look even better :girly:

Nothing ventured, nothing gained :D Try to enjoy the whole process.. it's fun and so worth it!

[Scarl3tbutt3rfly]

I've done total bulks before, and now trying to do a specialization for Triceps and Hamstrings. A bit different since I set up everything on my own. Unfortunately don't have Erik's expertise to help me along, but maybe eventually :)

Anyway, my full bulks went pretty well. I learned alot from this site, setting up trainings, and upped my cals a bit last season. I gained about 6 lbs or so. I noticed a HUGE change in my legs and my upper body growth as well. This time I decided to do a tricep bulk, and tag it with Hams for my leg days. Those are probably my 2 weakest parts right now. Ive been doing it for about 5 weeks now..and have already seen a change in my triceps, my hams not as much, but my legs get better and better all the time I think. I'd probably do better if I wasnt so leary about gaining weight, and would let myself eat over maintainance (see 4 weeks, no cheats thread :/)

As far as cutting. Again, I usually do most of this on my own. I have a 'trainer' or someone I call that, but we don't do a whole lot. I kind of do some circuits with her, or right now we are doing stuff to help my hip/low back pain. Her specialty as a trainer is in rehab (it is a long story). Anyway, as far as cutting, I did 'ok' with it, I usually will get some progress from just sticking to my diet, my weight didnt drop quick, but I was definitely noticing myself lean out, and ended up losing a good amount of weight, the last 4 weeks or so. I wasnt as lean as I wouldve liked for my last show, mostly because I was leary of getting to lean, as the show at this particular location I was told I was too lean the time before. My biggest rule I learned with this whole competition thing is, don't listen to judges, look how you wanna look, and you are more likely to be happy, no matter the results. (at least for me) Each one seems to have their own opinion anyway, and they are sometimes completely opposite..... Plus where I compete, it is sorta isolated in some sense, and in my opinion, very political....so you need to be happy with yourself.

[toese]

Oh good thread Sandi!! I'm real curious as well!!

[Cathie]

I did a bulk under Erik’s guidance last winter, I think it lasted four months? My lowest dieting weight was 127 and I think I ended my bulk around 146? I’d have to go back and look. Since it was my first one, I was nervous as hell. :lol: I think the mental aspect is huge. You’re all excited how you leaned down and then you have to shift gears to get ready to go in the opposite direction. I did have a hard time seeing the fat gain and if I didn't have the support of the people on this board, :love: I don’t know if I would have lasted as long as I did. Oh and of course knowing Erik wouldn't let me totally blow up. :lol: But I did build some legs and a booty. Now I’ll be starting my second bulk soon with an upper body focus. This time I am much better prepared. I know what to expect and I’m really hoping to get some nice gains out of it to balance me out and hoping my scap issues don't hold me back. :dry: Ok, I’m not excited about adding some fluff, but I know and accept it’s part of the process. My mistake last time was still trying to squeeeeeze into my pants when I was clearly overflowing in them. :sad: So not attractive. :lol3:

[rainy]

I've been dieting for a looohoong time and finally reaching my goal weight.
I plan on doing a specialization for delts (growth very much needed :oops:) in January with Erik. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I can't wait to eat more :cheat: and be able to lift like an animal. The fat gain will require mental strategies to accept :ninja:

I'm intrigued to see everyone's experience of the specialization/bulking process :popcorn:

[ilona loewnau]

hi there

i am new to the forum all tho i started with Erik during first week of September this year and my bulking around 10 weeks ago.
I try to improve everything. i was always lacking in upper part of my body so im trying to get some shoulders and build some muscles there. im trying to work on v-taper and get some harmstrings instead of pure fat :D

its all going well i think or maybe i should leave it for erik to judge :chairshot:

i can feel legs getting harder and i can see upper part growing. and together with all that beautiful changes i also experience my mental days :tantrum:
thats when im trying to put my pair of fav pants on and i can fit them slightly above the knees only lol or when i cant close my coat in the front :) yes, i defo put the fat on!! some muscles plus fat and not so much weight.

eh. its hard when you used to keep lean and slim all over the year but i think Erik encourages me and try to explain that the way it is and i need to believe in it.

just stay positive there! im trying to see that picture of myself summer time coz i believ it will be way worth it!!!

[Inatic]

hi there

i am new to the forum all tho i started with Erik during first week of September this year and my bulking around 10 weeks ago.
I try to improve everything. i was always lacking in upper part of my body so im trying to get some shoulders and build some muscles there. im trying to work on v-taper and get some harmstrings instead of pure fat :D

its all going well i think or maybe i should leave it for erik to judge :chairshot:

i can feel legs getting harder and i can see upper part growing. and together with all that beautiful changes i also experience my mental days :tantrum:
thats when im trying to put my pair of fav pants on and i can fit them slightly above the knees only lol or when i cant close my coat in the front :) yes, i defo put the fat on!! some muscles plus fat and not so much weight.

eh. its hard when you used to keep lean and slim all over the year but i think Erik encourages me and try to explain that the way it is and i need to believe in it.

just stay positive there! im trying to see that picture of myself summer time coz i believ it will be way worth it!!!

welcome!! :)

[laurawd]

I've been dieting for a looohoong time and finally reaching my goal weight.
I plan on doing a specialization for delts (growth very much needed :oops:) in January with Erik. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I can't wait to eat more :cheat: and be able to lift like an animal. The fat gain will require mental strategies to accept :ninja:

I'm intrigued to see everyone's experience of the specialization/bulking process :popcorn:

Hi Rainy, How long did it take you to reach your goal leanness? From where did you start? I've been working at it for 6 months and trying to guess how much longer it'll take.

I'm sure you'll do great on the specialization!

[ilona loewnau]

thanks ileen :happy05:

[Chicky9914]

About to start shoulders and hams...ahh!

[rainy]

Hi Rainy, How long did it take you to reach your goal leanness? From where did you start? I've been working at it for 6 months and trying to guess how much longer it'll take.

I'm sure you'll do great on the specialization!

Hi Laura,

I'm probably not the best example, as I had a severely damaged metabolism after years of abusing cardio :treadmill: and undereating. Erik has had his hands full trying to rectify this mess :oops:

Just be patient, the longer you do the right things for your body it will start to respond and start working with you :thumb:

Best of luck.

[TriciaE]

I've been dieting for a looohoong time and finally reaching my goal weight.
I plan on doing a specialization for delts (growth very much needed :oops:) in January with Erik. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I can't wait to eat more :cheat: and be able to lift like an animal. The fat gain will require mental strategies to accept :ninja:

I'm intrigued to see everyone's experience of the specialization/bulking process :popcorn:

Well put! :lifter:

[Tearose]

I have been dieting soo long, I can't wait to do a bulk and grow some muscle at some point. I am scared too.

[spidey]

I'm in the same boat (I think). Erik has got me to the leanest that I've ever been and it's time to bulk... as soon as he give me the instructions to do this.

In the meantime I'm at maintenance.

I'll keep a couple pairs of my 'fat' pants to accommodate for the bigger size. From what everyone is saying it sounds like this will be awesome. Looking forward to getting some more size where it counts... uh you know what I mean.

[Sohee]

hahahaha :innocent:

Training in the gym becomes soooo fun when you're eating enough food :flex:

[kirstny]

hahahaha :innocent:

Training in the gym becomes soooo fun when you're eating enough food :flex:

SOOOO true!

[smuggie]

I'm in the same boat (I think). Erik has got me to the leanest that I've ever been and it's time to bulk... as soon as he give me the instructions to do this.

In the meantime I'm at maintenance.

I'll keep a couple pairs of my 'fat' pants to accommodate for the bigger size. From what everyone is saying it sounds like this will be awesome. Looking forward to getting some more size where it counts... uh you know what I mean.

Actually, no we don't. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/smiles%20and%20laughter%20smilies/teddybearlol.gif