When in an off season mass gaining cycle, how far do you allow yourself to go as far as bf levels? I am on the Beverly mass diet, and the 3 on 1 off - gain/hardening workout plan. Coming straight out of a show, I hate that feeling of looking like you have gotten fat right away. LOL What about cardio, do you do much cardio while trying to gain the mass? Cheat meals or still strict?

Thanks for the input!

Jeff

I would love to hear the answer to this too! I just finished the Northern, and boy do I look fat I feel like I need to lean back out and then start the gaining program. I will say the water weight is slowly coming back off.

Loren

Coming out of a show and back into a building/mass phase I still eat clean but increase the portion sizes of my meals. I find it easier to transition in and out of contest prep if I keep my diet clean and stay adjusted to the foods I will eat. It is also less of a "shock" to the system between the mass and contest prep phases. I still incorporate cardio ,but no more than 3-4 sessions a week at 20-30 minutes each. Cardio excercise will not only keep the bodyfat in check, but also maintain conditioning and cardiac strength. A bonus is that it also increases my appetite, which is important in a building mass phase. I try to make sure I am always adequately fueled so as not to compromise my muscle gains. As far as BF% levels, I tend to stay fairly lean year around and believe that it makes contest prep a lot easier than if I had to shed a lot of extra weight. I was able to put on 12 lbs. of muscle in the past year (162lbs. to 174 lbs. in contest condition) while using the above methods. You can gain muscle without gaining a lot of fat. Hope this helps you somewhat and again this is all based on my experience.

Thanks, Mark

Mark,
Thanks for the post. I just came out of the Northern Ky show and of course had to eat some "good" food to curb my cravings. I am back on the stricter diet again, with larger portions. Im following the Beverly off season diet, just seems that I am starting to pack on weight around the mid section. You know how us bodybuilders, hate to loose the abs.. LOL I had your same thoughts about the cardio, so looks like I am right in line. I think Iam still retaining a little water from the show.

Thanks again for the info
Jeff

have fun in off season jeff

I also agree with Joe, keep it fun and there is room to "relax" in the off seeson.

as for me i plan to keep ,my contest weight the same. right around 170. i am very happy with where I am finally.