Cutting while bulking? Too difficult?

I've always had a superfast metabolism.  Seems like I'm an ectomorph if that means anything.  I am trying to bulk and am seeing progress, albeit slower than I would like.  I am doing no cardio at all except for the 5 min. warmups prior to workouts.  I've read as an ectomorph and having difficulty gaining I should stay away from cardio until I'm done bulking.  Is there a safe amount of cardio while I'm bulking for my body type?  My spare time (see my avatar) just bugs the heck out of me.  I've also read cardio 1st thing in the morning b4 food or just after weights b4 taking in carbs are good times.  I've also heard than intervals are better than endurance sessions.  That 20 min of intervals is preferable to a longer period of less intense work.  Is that to limit the time the body is in a catabolic state?  Any advice?  Thanks!
 
Oh, I do an hour of Pilates a week, which is pretty intense.  Count as cardio?

Do a bit of cardio on your days off, but there's a general rule most people like to go by is drinking a lot of milk if you're an ectomorph, a lot of guys have recommended anywhere from a half of a gallon to a whole gallon per day, but it's expensive and only should be taken under extreme circumstance IMO- Just eat a lot of foods, start a 3X routine and do cardio on your off days. Cardio, IMO, is anything that uses aerobic energy and exercises the heart in general, hence cardiovascular exercise.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

I mix whole milk in with the 5 or 6 protein or gainer shakes I consume a day.
Would a 1/2 hour run (w/some sprints) on my days off be okay.  First thing in the morning before food a good idea.  I've read all your glycogen gets burned on the overnight fast and your body is left to burn fat, assuming your muschles have been worked so your body doesn't want to sacrifice muscle.  I also like to swim.  Slow laps or sprints/intervals?

If you're trying to  build muscle while burning fat, that's your problem- Muscle building requires a calorie surplus and burning fat requires a calorie deficit- Generally speaking, it's possible to do both at once but difficult and is a slower progress- If you were to get ready for a competition- Then you'd better just bulk now- With the muscle you'll gain it'll make it easier to cut fat in the future and you'll build more muscle- Which is why bbers choose this method. Don't run on an empty stomach, then you won't gain weight.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Its possible. But dont make the mistake of thinking its easy either.

In fact its going to take a lot of time and trial and error. Because your going to have to keep track of your calories, and micro manage your diet, make adjustments when needed.

As its been said, its usually easier to just go into a major calorie surplus and gain muscle along with some fat, and then cut afterwards. Usually people dont want to go to the hastle of measuring out calories, making adjustments weekly, etc... so bulking and then cutting is usually the way 95% go.

One thing I really think that helps while trying to bulk as cleanly as possible is doing cardio when your glycogen levels are low, just like while cutting. Where is your body going to get its fuel from when glycogen depletes? Fat.

So while your still bulking, your also still burning fat from the cardio... Its a theory I have, and im kind of testing it out right now with my current program.

6'3"  @213

Squat 1x20x275

press:200, Deadlift:475, Bench:300, P.clean:235, Squat:385

"The only failure that is final is to stop trying to improve"

Bulking is much more dependent on your diet than it is on a half-hour jog here and there.  Cardio is important for a healthy heart, and I don't see any point in cutting it out of your program entirely, even for a bulk.   For one thing, it'll help slow down fat gains from all those excess calories, and I'll say it again.. it's good for your heart.

As for cutting while bulking... If you're a great big fat person, sure, "easy" enough.  But since you're not, like N$ said, it takes trial and error, meticulous planning and tracking, more trial and error... it can be really tough, and there are so many variables you have to keep in mind when making adjustments.  Most people seem to choose bulking/cutting cycles.  But I can't stand letting myself get fat, so IMO it's very worthwhile to put forth the effort.  For now you can just track everything (all exercise/diet) while you bulk to get an idea of what adjustments you might want to make in the future.

Yeah- Your safest bet is just to bulk and cut, generally faster and easier.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

This would method of choice is called, A Clean Bulk.

Possible? Of Course.
Fun? Not at all.
Achieve Desired Results? Stick to the plan man.

Current Supplements: Multi, Whey, Caffeine, BCAA, Vitamin C, Calcium
Current Cycle: Strength

"Do not go where the path may lead, instead go where there is no path, and leave a trail."

Wait, 5 or 6 shakes a day?

There's an new innovative product on the market, it's called food.

Current Supplements: Multi, Whey, Caffeine, BCAA, Vitamin C, Calcium
Current Cycle: Strength

"Do not go where the path may lead, instead go where there is no path, and leave a trail."

Guys,
    Thanks!  I'll just bulk and then cut later.

PearlJammer,
     I was waiting for someone to comment on the shakes.  I do try to stuff a lot of real food down too, but as I said in a previous post somewhere, I find myself cheating and taking the easy way out.  Honest to God, I haven't figured out how to get enough calories of real food down, and how on earth does one find room for vegetables in a full belly?  I know, small means frequently.  But it's hard.  The diet is hands down the hardest part of bulking!  But point taken:  I could use a little kick in the butt reality check that I need to focus as much attention on the diet as I do the routine in the gym.  ;)

Increase your total calories per week. Add in a new meal or upgade a meal.  When you start to lose your abs and your veins you know it's time to cut.  This is how I go from puffy to shredded in only about 5 - 6 weeks.  If you let the body fat get too high you end up having to lose too much hard earned muscle by the end of the cut.   Increase your fats and carbs during the bulk.  if your not gaining then up them more.. still not gaining eat more.  

You know honestly.. it's not even that hard, everyone tries to look into it so hard as to why they are not gaining as much as they want.  The fact is its better to just get lean first then bulk,  because your only going to gain a total of 5 - 8 lbs of muscle for the whole year anyway, it's a freaking marathon.  I walked around as a puffy guy without abs for like 2 years and people couldn't even tell I worked out.   It's all about that shape, the size comes over the years.  I am basically just trying to say don't put on too much fat with the bulk, know when to stop and cut back down.

IBendBarbells


Increase your total calories per week. Add in a new meal or upgade a meal.  When you start to lose your abs and your veins you know it's time to cut.  This is how I go from puffy to shredded in only about 5 - 6 weeks.  If you let the body fat get too high you end up having to lose too much hard earned muscle by the end of the cut.   Increase your fats and carbs during the bulk.  if your not gaining then up them more.. still not gaining eat more.  

You know honestly.. it's not even that hard, everyone tries to look into it so hard as to why they are not gaining as much as they want.  The fact is its better to just get lean first then bulk,  because your only going to gain a total of 5 - 8 lbs of muscle for the whole year anyway, it's a freaking marathon.  I walked around as a puffy guy without abs for like 2 years and people couldn't even tell I worked out.   It's all about that shape, the size comes over the years.  I am basically just trying to say don't put on too much fat with the bulk, know when to stop and cut back down.

I agree with pretty much everything u said IBB but not the part about only being able to gain 5-8 lbs of lean mass a year. i couldnt disagree with this statement more. gaining 15 plus pounds of lean mass in a year is very attainable. maybe not so after years upon years of training but someone in their firsts few years could gain much more then that

Current: 19, 5'11", 190@7%

bench:305 squat:370(atg) deadlift:475
Goals: 4plate squat, 5plate dead

"obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated"

I agree with Daniel- I went from 130 to 175 in my first year and my bodyfat started at 14% and increased to 18% which is only a 4% increase in bodyfat, not sure of the LBM I gained but if the diet is right and someone can gain weight easily 15lbs or more can easily be achieved. Of course most are beginner gains- Someone like the OP that has a good physique already and has been training a long time probably not- But a beginner or intermediate? Definitely.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

So let me get this straight, because I, of course!, would really like to gain another 15 at least before I cut to possibly compete next year.  Someone said it looked like I had about a 12%bf now and would need to cut to 8 or 6% or something like that.  I am currently eating lots of protein and carbs.  Are you saying I can up the fat for the high density calories as long as my bf doesn't take off as evidenced by lack of ab definition and vascularity?  What are some recommended fats?  Whole milk okay?  I know I should probably stay away from saturated fats and too much cholesterol.  Of course I anticipate a problem with consuming fats is that they make you feel full for a long time.  Not good when you're trying to shovel down food.  I love fatty salmon, so that's a possibility.  Olive oil?

Peanuts, fish oils, peanut butter, almost butter are all examples of some generally healthy fats. Peanut butter in protein shakes will put some serious mass on you. Whole milk is good for bulking- That's why people rely on fats a lot during a cut, they make you feel full longer and therefore you can eat less often without feeling so hungry all the time.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Steak, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans sauteed in garlic.

Grilled Chicken, Stir Fry with brown rice, soy sauce.

Turkey, Whole Wheat Stuffing, Peas, Corn, Gravy

-Three examples of a protein driven meal, with vegetables added in. See, it's possible and definitely able to satisfy your hunger which will prevent you from cheating. Unless your a closet junk eater, then I can't help you. I can just exploit, humiliate, and ridicule you to the fullest extent because at that point for I have no sympathy for you.

Current Supplements: Multi, Whey, Caffeine, BCAA, Vitamin C, Calcium
Current Cycle: Strength

"Do not go where the path may lead, instead go where there is no path, and leave a trail."