# Surplus on beginner template

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/surplus-on-beginner-template/8930>\
**Category:** Nutrition Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [June 14, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/surplus-on-beginner-template/8930 "2020-06-14T03:43:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kylelange88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kylelange88](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Kylelange88)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/surplus-on-beginner-template/8930/1 "2020-06-14T03:43:52Z")

</div>

I tend to often overthink diet so if your answer is “dude just gain some weight” I’m cool with that!

I spent the better part of the last year in a calorie deficit and have gotten pretty lean. 6’2” 210 and I’d guess below 15% body fat. The last 2 months I have been following a “bro split” and pushing the volume pretty high. I upped my calories to about a 200 calorie surplus to try to slowly gain some muscle mass.

However, I’m sick of lifting like a bro! So I purchased the beginner template and I’m excited to get back to making strength a priority. I’m wondering if it would be wise to spend the first 4 weeks eating for maintenance as the program builds volume and intensity then go back to a calorie surplus around week 5?

Thanks!

A few side notes… I had some technical issues viewing the template on my old computer and the support I got via email from your staff was fast and extremely helpful!

I also had an injury consultation with Dr. Ray and it was worth every penny. Keep up the good work!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/surplus-on-beginner-template/8930/2 "2020-06-15T15:55:52Z")

</div>

Hey Kyle,

Thanks for the post and the kind words. I don’t think it matters if you’re in a surplus or not as far as strength improvement goes, but if you want to continue to gain LBM I’d probably stay in a surplus.

-Jordan