Have you ever heard the words “cutting” or “bulking” before?
These words are often used to describe physique goals and are very much a part of the fitness vocabulary. But what exactly do these terms mean?
Bulking is a phase in which you take in more calories than you burn. This doesn’t mean a trip to In-N-Out every day. But rather, the goal is to increase muscle mass via a diet of lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. People most often combine bulking with heavier resistance training to help boost their muscle and strength gains.
Cutting is a phase in which you create a calorie deficit by taking in less calories than you burn. The goal when cutting is to lose body fat while maintaining as much muscle mass as possible. While resistance training plays a role during a cutting phase, the focus is to lift weights at a lighter intensity than the bulk phase. Funny enough the diet focus is the same as with bulking, emphasizing lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables.
With both phases, it is important to know how many calories you need to maintain your weight. From there, you will either add 500 calories to that number when bulking or subtract 500 calories when cutting. In both phases, eating adequate protein is important for building (bulking) or maintaining (cutting) muscle mass.
Each individual has different caloric needs, so it is important to work with a professional to help you determine those exact numbers. If you are looking to learn more about what your body needs to reach your health goals, apply to work with me via email or www.elevateyourplate.com.