To start this off, the phrase is, "Noone really cares if you have a six pack if you don't have an ice
chest to put it in."
A few things I kinda wanted to nitpick so please, no one take it personally and understand where these posts are coming from.
If you get your cals, in a healthy way, you won't put up stomach fat (or fat anywhere else for that matter really). Do a clean bulk, probably one of the hardest ways I've tried to add weight.
There are three major composition factors we look at for food choices:
-Overall caloric content
-The distribution of those calories among which macronutrients (protein, fat, and carb though the amount of protein is the most prevalent unless we're comparing extreme examples like pop [solely carb] to EVOO [solely fat])
-The micronutrients that come with it (vitamins & minerals)
So what you're saying is a bit of a misguidance. I know we'd like to think otherwise, but eating 1000 calories over maintenance, whether from big macs and cupcakes or luscious fruits and vegetables from the earth itself and muscular and organ tissue from animals that have been in the wild their whole lives, is still 1000 calories over maintenance.
The big discrepancy is simply that, due to bulk (things like fiber and water content that count little towards overall calories while having a high ability to satisfy hunger/appetite), these natural food choices are typically more satisfying for the calories consumed. So in a sense they autoregulate caloric restriction through satiation.
So the next question is namely how much protein comes along with each? If you're drinking 2-liters of Coke and eating tastyasf#ck danishes as the majority of your food, your big problem is not that these are 'dirty' foods but moreso that the protein taken in is a lot less, especially in comparison to stomachs full of beef and chicken and milk.
And the final point, micronutrients, is one that's hardly worth a damn because we have (surprisingly enough) a damn good hold on cheap, quality supplements. Even someone eating clean is usually recommended to take a multi as well, just in case.
Because, aside from some intense megadosing or a severe physiological anomaly, it's very, very, very hard to overdo vitamins. Other than iron, there's really no concern on taking too much and the "shovel principle" (referenced by Rip and originally coined by Bill Starr) works well. Aim to take a little more than what you think you need and the unneeded is filtered out without a problem. While not taking enough is much more of an issue, especially over time.
So, sorry to say, but if I'm supplementing my micronutrients and I hit the relative same amount of protein and calories, I can do it with fast food all day or I can do it with local farm-raised foods from the market.
Now, there are definitely some other concerns such as preservatives and trans fats, but in a very young, naturally thin athlete who plans on taking on rigorous activity, these aren't much of a concern (especially with all of the above points set in place properly).
Then there's the issue of practicality because of food cost and the easeofstuffingyourface. Natural foods, as mentioned, tend to be much more satisfying for lower calories (which is why they make great ways to maintain or lose weight for those looking for those things without wanting to track calories) and so are actually somewhat of a poor choice in this context:
OP is naturally thin. He's a natural undereater and possibly natural overtrainer. It's going to be a journey enough as is to eat enough to make the changes he wants. Add in the struggle of preparation, cost, and easeofstuffingyourface of natural foods and it becomes even harder.
I personally suggest he aims for a set amount of calories, protein, supplements with a multi, and then works with what's best for his life situation.
And for clarity, a "clean bulk" doesn't mean you're attempting to bulk eating only natural/nonprocessed/etc foods, it simply means you're eating ~500 calories over maintenance, where as a "dirty bulk" you're eating typically 800/900+.
You can clean bulk on McDonald's and dirty bulk on paleo (in theory; again it's difficult in practice due to the aforementioned).
Alright. The thing is guys, I don't want to have alot of freaking stomach fat on me. It pisses me off more than anything. Thats why I haven't eaten alot more than I could. I've been eating high protein, low carb, but still I could eat alot more. I think I will.
Here OP clearly shows frustration with getting too smooth in the abdominal area. I know we can try and force the idea of heavy powerlifting is Hosannah in the Highest and aesthetics are Lucifer himself, but it's not like there isn't a middle ground. Instead of skyrocketing over maintenance by 2000+ calories, the overshoot can be lower; say 500-1000 over.
It will likely make neat, linear progression an issue but that isn't to say progress will be slow or unsatisfactory by any means. Many things can be done to adjust for this.
If Rip says "don't do curls." Then don't do them.
Most trainees coming out of SS show a lack of development in the upper back (rhomboids / RC), calves, and biceps.
I think the whole approach of cutting out curls and the like completely is that novices who are on their own who aren't super motivated will find that it's, of course, much easier to do some curls and lateral shoulder raises than squat heavy like a real man. What happens before long is the trainee drops squats for the day and just does a whole day of isolations, which even I think is retarded.
However, in the context of the compounds and overarching concepts coming first and staying in place, adding in isolations (especially for the areas that SS tends to neglect anyway) is fine.
If the boy wants to curl, let him curl. :]
