any way to gain muscle WHILST losing weight?

JonDyn
JonDyn Posts: 156 Member
i lift weights and such regardless of my current weight loss plan, will i still make any muscle gains?

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Simple answer No. Your body needs a surplus to build muscle. Your muscles will though become more defined as you lose body fat
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
    there are ways...newbie gains but I suspect that wont happen or if you are extremely obese which you aren't.

    You will however make strength gains and as you lose fat you will see more definition in your existing muscles.
  • JagerLewis
    JagerLewis Posts: 427 Member
    I have. In one of my profile pictures you can see my progress with a pair of old shorts that are HUGE on me, with much muscle in my back and arms. My weight loss is slow, but I am losing. I think as long as your doing strength exercises regularly, you will be in top form. :)
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    To maximise your chances you want:
    Small deficit, adequate protein, a good (progressive overload) weight training regime.
    At the very worst you will minimise muscle loss while losing weight.

    Generally the people most likely to make modest gains are:
    1/ Beginers (or those returning to training after a break)
    2/ Genetic freaks (such as elite athletes)
    3/ Those taking naughty supplements
    4/ People with sufficient fat reserves ("over-fat" as Lyle McDonald calls it).

    Worth a read - http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/adding-muscle-while-losing-fat-qa.html

    There is a big difficulty is in measuring actual muscle gains (as opposed to improved definition through fat loss, strength gains unrelated to muscle growth, changes in lean mass such as glycogen/water).
    Even the studies that imply growth in a deficit are typically measuring LBM or FFM.