Enough calories to gain muscle?

[collegegirl]

I just started eating 2200-2300 calories a day to try to gain muscle (want an awesome v-taper)! I'm 130 lb and around 20% bf (a guess) and 5'5". I know it's individual but does this look like too much or not enough? Also how much fat should I expect to gain per month (on average)? I'm just worried because I tend to store fat on my abs (very sad). Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I've never been serious about gaining muscle before.

[Erik]

I just started eating 2200-2300 calories a day to try to gain muscle (want an awesome v-taper)! I'm 130 lb and around 20% bf (a guess) and 5'5". I know it's individual but does this look like too much or not enough?

It sounds like a good start. If you're not gaining, keep upping it be 10% or so every few weeks.



Also how much fat should I expect to gain per month (on average)?

No one can answer. Partitioning ability is unique to the individual. Just be mindful of the fact that you WILL gain some fat along the way.

[Tony]

nevermind, Thunder beat me to it.

[Tony]

It sounds like a good start. If you're not gaining, keep upping it be 10% or so every few weeks.



No one can answer. Partitioning ability is unique to the individual. Just be mindful of the fact that you WILL gain some fat along the way.

How much of an impact do you think that macro nutrient breakdown has on partitioning?

I think Lyle stated at some point that low carb bulking diets work well for people who tend to put on a lot of fat during a bulk.

[collegegirl]

Thanks for the reply! Glad it doesn't look like too many calories.

[collegegirl]

Interesting question. I also wonder about this.