(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

AObravo123

Is the above equation possible?

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

Or

(gain muscle + lose fat) + gain weight overall = goal

I read that it's impossible to lose weight while gaining muscle. That you are either losing or gaining.

livingleanlivingclean

AObravo123 wrote: »

Is the above equation possible?

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

Or

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

I read that it's impossible to lose weight while gaining muscle. That you are either losing or gaining.

Confused by the options as they're all the same.

But generally, to be gaining muscle, you need to be at least in maintenance (for recomp, maintaining weight but slowly growing muscle whilst losing fat) or at a slight surplus (which comes with muscle gain and fat gain)

In most situations, you won't lose weight whilst growing as you need a deficit to lose - this isn't conducive to growing.

AJ_G

AObravo123 wrote: »

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

Or

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

That's the same exact equation twice.

To answer your question: no, you cannot lose weight while gaining muscle UNLESS you are brand new to weight lifting AND you are very over weight or obese. The only other way it can be done is if you are on steroids. Other than that, no, it cannot be done. You can gain muscle, while losing fat and maintaining your weight, but it is a painfully slow process and I don't recommend it.

AObravo123

Sorry should say
"or
(gain muscle + lose fat) + gain weight overall = goal"

AObravo123

AJ_G wrote: »

AObravo123 wrote: »

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

Or

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

That's the same exact equation twice.

To answer your question: no, you cannot lose weight while gaining muscle UNLESS you are brand new to weight lifting AND you are very over weight or obese. The only other way it can be done is if you are on steroids. Other than that, no, it cannot be done. You can gain muscle, while losing fat and maintaining your weight, but it is a painfully slow process and I don't recommend it.

So are you saying it's faster to lose weight (fat+muscle) and then gain weight (lean muscle) afterwards than it is to maintain weight while gaining muscle and losing fat?

AnvilHead

AObravo123 wrote: »

AJ_G wrote: »

AObravo123 wrote: »

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

Or

(gain muscle + lose fat) + lose weight overall = goal

That's the same exact equation twice.

To answer your question: no, you cannot lose weight while gaining muscle UNLESS you are brand new to weight lifting AND you are very over weight or obese. The only other way it can be done is if you are on steroids. Other than that, no, it cannot be done. You can gain muscle, while losing fat and maintaining your weight, but it is a painfully slow process and I don't recommend it.

So are you saying it's faster to lose weight (fat+muscle) and then gain weight (lean muscle) afterwards than it is to maintain weight while gaining muscle and losing fat?

Optimally, you'd lose fat while losing as little muscle as possible (via a reasonable calorie deficit, sufficient protein intake and a good strength training program), then add muscle while adding as little fat as possible (via a reasonable caloric surplus, sufficient protein intake and a good strength training program). The former is referred to as a "cut", the latter is referred to as a "bulk". Trying to do both at the same time while at maintenance calories (not a deficit or surplus) is called a "recomp" (short for recomposition), and is a slower process than cutting/bulking.

Note that the most significant difference between a cut and a bulk is whether you're in a caloric deficit or surplus.

Chadxx

Is it possible? Yes but success will vary greatly depending upon how lean you are and your level of development.

Is it more difficult? Of course

terryt1992

I think this is something that is often misunderstood by a lot of people. For example if you are 350 lbs and your are trying to lose weight but you have not been strength training then it is very possible. If you are eating under maintenance and you are working out of course you are going to gain muscle and lose weight. Also combining that with cardio will will allow you to lose weight at a higher rate because the (muscle gain weight) that occurs can be washed out if you burn more calories. Obviously this is going to be harder if you weigh less. I personally think that if you have a lot of weight to lose it is essential to have some sort of strength training (which equals gaining muscle) if not then you are losing muscle along with fat which could be a bad thing depending on your goals.