The source provides a critical analysis of the long-standing bodybuilding practice of bulking and cutting, which involves alternating periods of calorie surplus and deficit to gain muscle and then lose fat. While acknowledging the theoretical simplicity and popularity of the approach since the 1960s, the text argues that modern research reveals significant negative impacts on both mental and physical health. Specifically, bulking and cutting cycles are linked to a higher risk of developing eating disorders and various physical ailments such as decreased insulin sensitivity, increased cortisol production, and an elevated risk of chronic diseases. As an alternative, the author proposes the "Clean Gain" method, which focuses on