Question for the experts!

UsedToBeHusky

I want to build more muscle AND burn fat. I strength train 3 days a week and do cardio daily. I used to keep a deep calorie deficit, but I find that to be ineffective now that I am strength training so much. Should I eat a calorie surplus on my training days and/or avoid cardio?

UponThisRock

Doing both at the same time is generally not possible unless you new to lifting weights, or used to lift and are returning from a long layoff. Having a relatively high body fat helps the situation. As you get more experienced and leaner, it becomes more and more difficult.

If this fits your situation, you need to eat at a slight deficit and keep your focus on getting stronger on a solid routine. Cardio is optional.

UsedToBeHusky

So keep doing what I'm doing. I'm just not happy with my progress thus far, but it has only been a month since I ramped it up with weight lifting.

UponThisRock

So keep doing what I'm doing. I'm just not happy with my progress thus far, but it has only been a month since I ramped it up with weight lifting.

Muscle gain is a painfully slow process for men. It's even worse for women, and it's still worse when you're trying to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. A month is nothing, it took me years to achieve a physique that I was proud of.

UsedToBeHusky

So keep doing what I'm doing. I'm just not happy with my progress thus far, but it has only been a month since I ramped it up with weight lifting.

Muscle gain is a painfully slow process for men. It's even worse for women, and it's still worse when you're trying to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. A month is nothing, it took me years to achieve a physique that I was proud of.

Okay thanks. I guess I just need to be a little more patient then. I just have a lot of fat to burn and heard that more muscle helps.

UponThisRock

Okay thanks. I guess I just need to be a little more patient then. I just have a lot of fat to burn and heard that more muscle helps.

More muscle helps you look better as you cut down. As far as more muscle mass burning more calories, it technically does, but it's nothing to get excited about; probably the caloric equivalent of a handful of potato chips per day, lol.