Weight loss and muscle gain

daniel_mdsn28

So I am currently 305. I want to get down to around 275 before I start lifting and putting on muscle mass. Is this the proper way to do this or should I be lifting already?

sijomial

Do it now.
It sends a strong message to your body to preserve the muscle you already have.

Think about doing a bodyweight squat at your current 305 and your future 275 - you don't need so much strength and muscle to move 30lbs less so not much reason for your body to retain that muscle.

It's much easier to preserve what you have rather than risk losing muscle then face the long and arduous process of building back up. It's hard to gain significant muscle in a deficit but it's still a great goal to have, be the best you can be.

quiksylver296

Lift now. Yesterday, actually.

What reasons do you have for waiting?

Whydahdad71

I actually lost weight through cardio for six months before I started with weight lifting. I wanted to be able to show my muscles better before I began building them. Now I am a men's physique competitor.

steveko89

Whydahdad71 wrote: »

I actually lost weight through cardio a caloric deficit for six months before I started with weight lifting. I wanted to be able to show my muscles better before I began building them. Now I am a men's physique competitor.

FIFY

BAC716

@daniel_mdsn28 Yes, a good strategy is to burn some fat before trying to focus predominantly on gaining muscle. However, you should so some form of resistance/weight training weekly even if fat loss is your primary goal.

If you're newer to lifting you'll find it easier to burn fat and gain a little muscle at the same time. Regardless, you want to preserve whatever muscle you have and lose fat, not lean mass while dieting down.

You can add in some cardio. But try lifting at least 2-3x per week if you can and throw some in around that. Just getting more walks/steps in per day is a huge help as well!

BrianSharpe

No reason to delay strength training. If you're eating at a deficit you're unlikely to put on any appreciable amount of muscle (you will preserve what you've got and get stronger)

L1zardQueen

Do it now, Mister, do it now. You will thank us later.