Lifting but loosing weight

Masterchef2000

So I’ve been lifting since June of last year. My squat weight and others are still going up but I noticed I’m loosing weight. I’m within normal weight range for my height but obviously looking to loose the fat more. I just started including HIIT sprints a few weeks ago, 2 days a week, lifting heavy and running for about 15 mins immediately after lifting 3 days a week. My measurements that have stayed the same for the most part have started shrinking.

So my question is: can I assume my weight loss is from fat if my weights while lifting is still going heavier? I’m fairly new at this but from what I can gather, cardio is bad for loosing muscle if you do too much but sprints should help me hold onto it. I really don’t wanna start killing everything I’ve worked so hard for.

TavistockToad

cardio is not 'bad' for muscle, a massive calorie deficit is what causes muscle loss.

if you're losing weight and dont want to, you simply need to eat more.

sijomial

"So my question is: can I assume my weight loss is from fat if my weights while lifting is still going heavier? "
Yes that's a safe assumption as you don't describe anything to suggest the real factors that cause muscle loss apply to you - inactivity or an excessive deficit.


" I’m fairly new at this but from what I can gather, cardio is bad for loosing muscle if you do too much "
Absolute twaddle for 99.9% of the population, using your muscles in any way is how you preserve or build muscle.
The 0.1% might be very lean, high level bodybuilders or ultra endurance athletes deliberately trying to stay very light and doing a volume of cardio at the boundary of what their body can sustain.

The sprinting versus endurance arguments come from looking at elite athletes who deliberately need a particular body to maximise their performance in their chosen sport. There's plenty of big guys running marathons but they won't be crossing the line first.

Watch a game of rugby or elite level rowers and see muscular guys (and gals) who also do a lot of cardio.....


If you don't want to lose weight then simply eat a bit more.

If you want to do sprints do sprints, if you want to do longer duration cardio for endurance then do that. It's not as complicated as you think for the average man or woman.

Masterchef2000

Not about really wanting to loose weight per say but the fat. I just need some more insight as to whether my current weight loss can be assumed to be from fat vs muscle since I am still progressively lifting heavier. I was confused as the more added sprints I am doing could be the cause behind suddenly dropping some weight.

TavistockToad

Masterchef2000 wrote: »

Not wanting to not loose weight I just need some more insight as to whether my current weight loss can be assumed to be from fat vs muscle since I am still progressively lifting heavier.

you're not doing anything that suggests you're excessively burning muscle.

Masterchef2000

Sweet, thank you.

sijomial

Masterchef2000 wrote: »

Not about really wanting to loose weight per say but the fat. I just need some more insight as to whether my current weight loss can be assumed to be from fat vs muscle since I am still progressively lifting heavier. I was confused as the more added sprints I am doing could be the cause behind suddenly dropping some weight.

Did you increase your calories when you increased your exercise? Remember it's your calorie balance that determines weight loss, gain or maintenance.

Getting stronger is a poitive sign that your training is effective. Strength and muscle size isn't a linear relationship but it's probably not worth concerning yourself with the fine details.

PAV8888

How fast are you losing?

Chieflrg

Masterchef2000 wrote: »

So my question is: can I assume my weight loss is from fat if my weights while lifting is still going heavier?

I would argue that just because the intensity is growing on your lift(s), it isn't a given you are only losing fat. Muscle loss takes place during weight loss, we hopefully utilize scientific means to reign the loss to a minimum.

Gains in intensity can be a result of many things.

1. It could just be a recent stress reduction(deload)that dissipated fatigue. Many people think they have gotten stronger which isn't necessarily the case.

2. A build up of useful stress over weeks/months that you are responding to sensitively.

3. You've become more efficient at a particular lift.

4. Your programming is peaking you.