I have been eating a bunch over this Christmas break from college. I have ate just whatever i've wanted pretty much, not really restricting it. About 3100-3500 calories a day.

I also have been training more often...

So I am wondering which is responsible for the gains i've been making? I've set a new PR on my bench press the last two times i've been in the gym... Other lifts too, I feel strong as hell.

I have gained three pounds in the past week, I know some is fat for sure (can see it in my gut), but is this massive eating mostly responsible for all the gains i've been making? Or do you think it's more than likely since I've been training more often....(even though it's basically the same, maybe a day or two more a week)

hmm...

I would guess it's the calorie surplus. If you're getting enough rest between workouts, then nothing has really changed that you would see that quick of results from. You would see some results, but two new PR's is awesome. If you're not getting enough rest, then it's obviously the food, becuase you'd still have fatigued muscle, and should then be seeing small losses. Either way, I'd say it sounds like time to bulk!!!!!

Yes

Yes

Both are true if you are eating more and training more you will get faster results. It is as simple as that.

You may have found the proper amount of both that will work for you as far as weight and strength gain goes.

So. Awesome.

^^ What he said.

On top of all that...you're on break so you don't factors that normally play during the school year, like stress. So you're in an optimal environment.

yep, yep, yep...all good comments.

you better watch the scale and mirror though. kinda sounds like you're eating a bulking level. all those carbs are giving you plenty of energy, but if its too many calories, you'll put on too much fat.

are you keeping reps low (4-6) or moderate (8-12)?

Judging from the mirror and the flab building up around my gut, I think i'm probably gaining half fat and half muscle. Maybe even more fat than muscle. I won't know for sure until I get my bodyfat tested again on Jan. 9th.... i'm sure it'll scare the hell out of me because i'll probably have gained 3-4 pounds of fat in a 3 week period. I will probably cut after that bodyfat test... having the fat around your stomach is just uncomfortable, you feel it when you sit down and stuff..

Anyway, to answer your question, I do an upper/lower split and I typically do 9 sets for each muscle group with 2-3 movements each.. with compounds like bench for example I count triceps and chest in each set of bench press.

My rep ranges are different for each exercise, but generally I start with 10, then by the time i'm on the last set I usually can only get 6 or so.... I also up the weight after each set.

Why do you ask?

Can you squeeze anymore exercise into your week? A few sessions of jogging or something?

you could squeeze the fact that your getting older and maturing in to

Yeah, I could squeeze it in, but why do you suggest that?

I'm kind of confused on what the best strategy would be for bulking...

1. Just eat whatever I want (which is a LOT), make big gains in strength and muscle, but also lots of extra fat.

2. Eat a restricted amount, about 120% of maintaince, and make slow strength and muscle gains with minimal fat gain...

just don't know. I guess i'll see how easy it is to cut this fat off after Christmas?

Gained 6.2 pounds so far since dec. 23rd, I gotta slow it down I think.

Once concept is to eat big and train very often. Adding in some exercise like jogging could work for you.

Search Berardi G-Flux.

I think there is an article you can if you sign up for the forums at precisionnutrition.com

when you say you added training what do you mean?

congrats. im like you. whilst cutting it was hard to lift and now that i am eating a lot i feel so strong

thirded...

kind of confused about where the conversation was going, but I would be careful and do not train to much because you can overtrain and then have negative affects.

Sounds like since you are on vacation, you are probably resting more which is good and the more food the more energy... lifting bigger...

Are you trying to lose the fat now?

I'm trying to bulk up right now.

I calculated my body fat % using the navy measurments calculation and it was 19%... I am not sure how accurate that is because I carry most of my fat around my abs and thighs, with the calipers I am guess i'll be at 12% or so, so it's somewhere in that 12-20% area. I think i'll cut after I get back home next week.