Bodybuilding and Protein

roghero

I am trying to lose fat more than I am trying to lose weight since I am trying to pack on muscle and want to stay within my caloric intake and was wondering if it was going to hinder my fat loss if I go over on max protein but stayed within the calorie goal?

misti17

Id love to see the responses you get. I too want to add more protein.

JayByrd107

You can't lose weight and pack on muscle at the same time. You won't put on muscle in a caloric deficit. Eating enough protein for your body composition will allow you to maintain muscle mass and lose fat, which will make what muscle you have more defined. Stay within your calorie goal and eat protein (in grams) at least equal to your lean body mass (in lbs).

mmapags

You can't lose weight and pack on muscle at the same time. You won't put on muscle in a caloric deficit. Eating enough protein for your body composition will allow you to maintain muscle mass and lose fat, which will make what muscle you have more defined. Stay within your calorie goal and eat protein (in grams) at least equal to your lean body mass (in lbs).

This! Eating in a deficit makes it virtually impossible to gain muscle. That doesn't mean you can't improve and train the muscle you have. Increasing your protein intake within you total calorie goal will help you to recover from workouts and retain the muscle tissue you have. The range on protein is pretty broad. If you are doing weight training the minimum you want is .8 grams per lb of lean body mass. If lifting heavy, some go as high as 1.5 to 2 grams. I do .8 to 1 gram myself. What kind of workouts are you doing?

iam_thatdude

You can't lose weight and pack on muscle at the same time. You won't put on muscle in a caloric deficit. Eating enough protein for your body composition will allow you to maintain muscle mass and lose fat, which will make what muscle you have more defined. Stay within your calorie goal and eat protein (in grams) at least equal to your lean body mass (in lbs).

This! Eating in a deficit makes it virtually impossible to gain muscle. That doesn't mean you can't improve and train the muscle you have. Increasing your protein intake within you total calorie goal will help you to recover from workouts and retain the muscle tissue you have. The range on protein is pretty broad. If you are doing weight training the minimum you want is .8 grams per lb of lean body mass. If lifting heavy, some go as high as 1.5 to 2 grams. I do .8 to 1 gram myself. What kind of workouts are you doing?

As someone who tried and is trying, what you will do is pack on leaner muscle, but it wont be at the same rate you think you need. The bes thing to do is CUT CUT CUT and then build muscle. That said, strnegth trainig can be a part of your weight loss programs, but it should be 80/20 cardio/weights

btretiak

Double thumbs up. While you cannot loose fat and gain muscle at the same time (bummer...I know), you can and should absolutely up your protein while staying within your calorie limit. Keep as much as you can...also, I second Iam_thatdude....CUTCUTCUT and then pile that sexy lean goodness on baby!

therealangd

Unless you have kidney problems, then going over on protein will not hinder your progress. MFP's limits for protein are generally low anyway. You want probably at least 30% protein.

If you want to gain muscle, you won't do it at a calorie deficit. If you want to lose fat and maintain the muscle that you do have (which will give the illusion of increasing muscle and there is nothing wrong with that), then you need to strength train and 30% protein as part of your program. And it's probably a good idea to make your deficit 1 lb or less. If you set your deficit to 2 lbs, you run the risk of destroying what muscle you do have, regardless of your protein level.

JayByrd107

If you want to maintain muscle mass in a calorie deficit, you need to favor resistance training, not cardio.

mmapags

If you want to maintain muscle mass in a calorie deficit, you need to favor resistance training, not cardio.

Again +1. I would reverse the ratio stated above of 80% cardio and 20% strength. You need primarily strength to maintain lean muscle mass. Cardio is about muscle endurance and calorie burning. Strength is about muscle developing and training.