So confused - gaining muscle, losing fat

ahmommy

So you can either eat at a deficit and lose fat (and potentially lean muscle as well), or you can eat regularly or at a surplus, and gain muscle, right?

Why do I see so many posts that say, "I'm working so hard and eating right, why did I gain?" and the answer is so often, "You're gaining muscle and losing fat."

And I hear the term "newb gains" tossed around.

People do exercise routines that combine cardio and light weights or body weight training, and get sore muscles, then say they feel so much stronger when they stick with it.

Can you really work your muscles that hard and feel stronger without building any muscle mass?

lorilynnschisler

Absolutely! I lift 2-3 times and week and I don't see myself as bulky. Lean, yes. Bulky, no. Don't let weight training scare you. The more lean muscle you have the more fat you will burn. Good luck:)

shaycat

All I know is I have been doing some heavy lifting for 3 months now and I feel stronger. I can see more definition in my arms and can see muscles in my thighs and calfs. My shoulders look amazing. My weight stayed pretty much the same, but my stomach is flatter, this last week I lowered my calories a bit more and lost a pound.
So I may be doing it wrong, but I am getting good results so far, maybe this is newbie gains? Who cares?