Men's Health: What Is Bulking? How To Do It Properly?

Updated Nov 13, 2024 | 02:28 PM IST

SummaryIn simple words, bulking refers to taking in more calories than you need per day so that those excess calories go on to build muscles. But what is the right way to do it?
Men's Health

Men's Health (Credit: Canva)

Bulking is one of the most reliable methods that lifters can use for muscle mass. When considering how to bulk up properly, it's important to recognize the bigger picture. Far too often, lifters rush into the process of bulking up without enough context.

What Is Bulking?

In simple words, bulking refers to taking in more calories than you need per day so that those excess calories go on to build muscles. It is all about calorie math. If your calories consumed each day are equal to or less than the number of calories that you burn per day, your body just doesn’t have the fuel to build much muscle. It will then use what it has to survive. However, if you’re in a caloric surplus, meaning you are consuming more daily calories than you’re burning, then you have calories left over after each training session to build, repair, build. This results in bulking.

How Can You Bulk Up?

The first thing you need to consider is how much do you need to bulk up. How much muscle mass do you want to gain? How much do you want to gain? What ratio of muscle-to-fat gain is acceptable to you?

Moreover, it is important to note that nutrition on its own won't end in muscle mass. You also have to perform the right kind of exercise. Health experts recommend that heavy strength training combined with traditional bodybuilding workouts make up the majority of your training, with high-intensity interval training to help lower the amount of weight you gain from fat while bulking.

Post-Workout Care: Does Sauna Help?

After a sweaty workout, many athletes and fitness enthusiasts focus on recovery routines that include stretching, foam rolling, or using specialized devices. However, one underrated yet highly beneficial method for recovery is stepping into a steamy sauna. Using a sauna post-workout can help your muscles relax and extend the benefits of your exercise routine in several remarkable ways.

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Kim Kardashian Says She Takes 35 Supplements Daily, Suffers From 'Pill Fatigue'

Updated May 20, 2026 | 10:06 AM IST

Summary The 45-year-old reality star Kim Kardashian revealed that her family, including her mother, Kris Jenner, and sisters, regularly use DEXA scans to monitor bone density.
Kim Kardashian Says She Takes 35 Supplements Daily, Suffers From 'Pill Fatigue'

Credit: Kim Kardashian/X

American TV personality Kim Kardashian has opened up about the steps she takes to care for her health, including taking 35 supplements daily.

Speaking on a podcast, the 45-year-old mother admitted she suffers from “pill fatigue.”

“I take probably 35 supplements a day,” the reality star revealed. “I spread them out three times a day.”

The mother of four said she struggles particularly with fish oil supplements because of their lingering taste, and even wished there were an IV drip alternative available.

“I thought, ‘Okay, I can't do this fish oil anymore. I have pill fatigue. I have to stop these fish oil [supplements], and I got my bloodwork, and it was so evident that I stopped and I had to start again,” Kim said.

“I wish there was like an IV drip (for fish oil) I could do every day, and I would just do it on my way to work,” she added.

Kardashian Family Uses DEXA Scans

Also read: Amy Schumer Opens Up On Side Effects After “Botched” Colonoscopy And Weight Loss Journey

Further, Kim revealed that her family, including her mother, Kris Jenner, and sisters, regularly use DEXA scans to monitor bone density.

A DEXA scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is an imaging test that uses low-frequency X-rays to measure bone density and analyze total body composition, including lean muscle, fat mass, and visceral fat.

“I actually know a portable DEXA scan person that comes in a van, and you lie down,” she shared.

“Each one of my sisters and my mom — we all live in the same gated community — so we have the van drive by, and we all jump in the van, and you just lie down, and it scans your body maybe like three minutes. And it tells you all about your bone density.”

Kardashian also said she undergoes yearly scans with her family and is continuing to explore new wellness tools.

Kim's Diagnosis With Brain Aneurysm

Kim has also been diligent about monitoring her health in recent years. In a November 2025 episode of The Kardashians, she revealed that doctors had discovered a small aneurysm in her brain.

At the time, Kim explained that the aneurysm — a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel in the brain — could be linked to the stress she had experienced over the years. She said her divorce from Kanye West, the responsibilities of being a single mother of four, her multiple business ventures, and studying law had all contributed to immense stress.

Shortly before that episode aired, Kim also discussed the aneurysm during an appearance on Good Morning America.

“It's just a good measure to go; make sure that you always check everything,” Kim said. “Health is wealth, and you just have to be careful with everything that you do.”

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Untreated Spinal Stenosis Can Lead To Permanent Nerve Damage: Here’s How To Prevent

Updated May 20, 2026 | 07:00 AM IST

SummarySpinal stenosis involves the narrowing of one or more spaces within the spinal canal. It can develop due to age-related changes, herniated discs, thickened ligaments, or previous injuries, most commonly affecting the lower back and neck.
Untreated Spinal Stenosis Can Lead To Permanent Nerve Damage: Here’s How To Prevent

Credit: iStock

Persistent back pain is often ignored as a minor issue, but when it continues or worsens over time, it may be a sign of an underlying spinal condition. One such condition is spinal stenosis, which involves narrowing of one or more spaces within the spinal canal.

It can develop due to age-related changes, herniated discs, thickened ligaments, or previous injuries, most commonly affecting the lower back and neck. Since spinal stenosis progresses slowly and symptoms may appear mild at first, early detection becomes crucial to prevent long-term complications, including permanent nerve damage.

Why Is It Dangerous If Untreated?

In its early stages, spinal stenosis may cause mild discomfort, tingling, or numbness. However, as the narrowing worsens, pressure on the nerves increases. This can lead to chronic pain, weakness in the limbs, and difficulty walking or maintaining balance.

If ignored for a long time, the condition can result in permanent nerve damage. In severe cases, patients may experience loss of bladder or bowel control, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Delayed treatment reduces the chances of reversing nerve damage, making early recognition more important.

What Are The Warning Signs To Watch Out For?

While occasional back pain is common, certain symptoms indicate something more serious:

  • Persistent back or neck pain that worsens over time
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or feet
  • Muscle weakness or reduced strength
  • Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
  • Pain that radiates down the legs, especially while standing or walking

How Can It Be Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of spinal stenosis focuses on identifying the extent of spinal narrowing and its impact on nerve function. It usually begins with a detailed assessment of symptoms and physical movement, followed by imaging tests such as spine X-rays, MRI, and CT scans.

In some cases, a CT myelogram may be advised for a more detailed view of the spinal canal and nerve compression. These tests help confirm the condition, locate the affected area, and determine its severity.

How Can It Be Treated?

Treatment depends on how advanced the condition is. In the early stages, simple measures are usually recommended, such as regular exercises like walking or stretching, correcting posture, making ergonomic changes in daily routine, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding activities that strain the spine.

However, in more severe cases where nerve compression significantly affects daily functioning, certain procedures may be required.

Minimally invasive spine decompression (MISD) is a modern surgical approach designed to alleviate pressure on spinal nerves while preserving as much of the natural spinal structure as possible. Unlike the traditional laminectomy, which often involves significant removal of bone and muscle, MISD focuses on precision and stability.

Spinal fusion joins two or more bones in the spine to improve stability and reduce excessive movement.

What Are The Tips To Prevent Spinal stenosis?

Preventing spinal stenosis or slowing its progression involves a combination of lifestyle changes and early care:

  • Stay physically active: Regular exercise helps strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and reduces strain.
  • Maintain good posture: Proper sitting and standing posture prevents unnecessary pressure on the spine.
  • Avoid prolonged sitting: Taking frequent breaks helps reduce stiffness and improve spinal flexibility.
  • Manage body weight: Excess weight increases pressure on the lower spine, worsening the condition.
  • Be mindful while lifting: Using correct techniques prevents sudden strain or injury to the spine.
Back pain should not always be taken lightly. What may seem like a minor issue could be an early sign of Spinal Stenosis.

Ignoring symptoms can lead to irreversible nerve damage and long-term disability. With early diagnosis, proper lifestyle changes, and expert care, it is possible to manage the condition effectively and maintain a good quality of life.

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Amy Schumer Opens Up On Side Effects After “Botched” Colonoscopy And Weight Loss Journey

Updated May 19, 2026 | 02:37 PM IST

SummaryA colonoscopy is a 15 to 60 minute medical procedure that is used to examine the entire inner lining of the large intestine, which includes rectum and colon for abnormalities, such as polyps, inflammation, or cancer.
Amy Schumer Opens Up On Side Effects After “Botched” Colonoscopy And Weight Loss Journey

Credit: Amy Schumer/Instagram

American stand-up comedian and actress Amy Schumer has opened up on her colonoscopy procedure didn’t go quite as planned.

Speaking at the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, the 44-year-old Amy Schumer stated that she’s feeling "happier than I've ever been before," but admitted that she's also been experiencing some struggles.

“I actually had kind of a botched colonoscopy, so I’m not feeling very sexual,” she noted.

Schumer, who filed for an uncontested divorce with her husband of seven years, Chris Fischer, in January, reportedly didn't share any further details.

Previously, the Trainwreck star shared major insight into her health journey over the years—including how her diagnosis with Cushing Syndrome influenced her weight loss journey.

“I didn’t lose 30lbs, I lost 50,” Amy wrote in a post on social media platform Instagram. “Not to look hot which does feel fun and temporary. I did it to survive. I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy and can kill you but the internet caught it and that disease has cleared.”

Cushing Syndrome is a hormonal condition that causes elevated levels of cortisol, and can cause death if left untreated, as per the National Library of Medicine.

Amy has also spoken of losing weight by using Mounjaro and her physical transformation via plastic surgery.

"I have been working to be pain free and I finally am," she wrote in a November Instagram post. “My endometriosis is better. My back is healing. I no longer have Cushing syndrome so my face went back to normal. I am grateful to be strong and healthy, especially for my son.”

Also read: ‘I Was Vocal About Cancer But Silent About Menopause Out Of Shame’, Says Actress Lisa Ray

What Is A Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a 15 to 60 minute medical procedure that is used to examine the entire inner lining of the large intestine, which includes rectum and colon for abnormalities, such as polyps, inflammation, or cancer.

A doctor uses a colonoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a camera to take images, remove polyps, or take issue samples.

Most health experts, including federal guidelines and the American Cancer Society, recommend that people at average risk for colorectal cancer start screening at age 45. This usually means getting a colonoscopy once every 10 years, or opting for stool-based tests every one to three years. These guidelines also play a role in whether insurance companies cover the tests.

Also read: Grey’s Anatomy Star Russell Andrews Opens Up About ALS Diagnosis

Even so, most cases of colon cancer are still diagnosed in people over 50. What’s worrying, though, is the steady rise in cases among younger adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s over the past few decades.

Access to colonoscopies remains a concern, especially in low and middle income countries. Further, screening rates among younger eligible adults remain low. Only about one in five people aged 44 to 49 are up to date with recommended screenings.

Experts say that if the screening age were lowered further, participation might drop even more. For now, the focus remains on improving awareness and encouraging those already eligible to get screened on time.

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