Lifting while eating a deficit

stephenhopkins2

Is there any point in doing weight training when I'm eating a deficit? Should I just lift light with more reps or just stick to strictly cardio?

ew_david

It helped me lose 20ish pounds while retaining most of my existing muscle. So yes, there is a point if that's your goal.

biggsterjackster

I think weight lifting is even more important than cardio when you eat at a deficit. Keep up bone and muscle mass.

StealthHealth

Strength work (of which weight training is a sub-set) helps to maintain muscle when on calorific deficit and so is recommended to ensure that weight lost is primarily fat (not muscle).

On of the other important factors in retaining muscle when losing weight is eating sufficient protein.

rybo

Yes. You can do heavier weight & lower reps too.

piperdown44

I didn't vary my weight lifting from being in a surplus to being in a deficit. Helps to hold onto muscle.

Unknown

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StealthHealth

piperdown44 wrote: »

I didn't vary my weight lifting from being in a surplus to being in a deficit. Helps to hold onto muscle.

^^True

CasperNaegle

Absolutely, I have been on a heavy lifting program and deficit for a year. Down 50 pounds of fat and increased muscle by 10 pounds. Eat a high protein diet and stay in a 20% calorie deficit.

kathrynjean_

BreezeDoveal wrote: »

It will help you turn your fat into muscle.

Except no. Fat and muscle and two different things and you can't convert one to the other.

But as others have said, lifting in a deficit in important to help retain muscle mass.

Lizarking

Lift heavy weights, man. That will help you out the most.

You might build a little muscle too.

I'm running Starting Strength on an aggressive cut. Takes dedication.