Muscle gain

carriebailey72

Can anyone tell me about how long does it take to build muscle. I've started weight training and I love it. Should I loose more weight prior to doing weights or continue to train. I'm 5'6 weight 166lbs. 40 yrs old. I'm a long way off from my goal weight but I'm working hard. If anyone has any suggestions or tips I'm open to any help. Thanks

jasonp_ritzert

Usually I give a lifting/eating regimen 8 weeks to see what kind of results I'm getting. Losing weight and building muscle are often counter-intuitive because to lose weight, you will need a caloric deficit; however, to build muscle you need to have additional calories to build the muscle. Glad to hear you love the lifting because that's often how many people see the largest changes in your body. If you are watching the scale, then maybe you should focus more on cardio and less on weights for a while. If you are okay with the scale not changing much but seeing your measurements change, then lifting is the way. I'm not saying you can't lose weight by lifting, but it does make it difficult if you don't incorporate some cardio as well. Good luck.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Weight training while losing weight preserves muscle that might otherwise be lost. Keep it up.

carriebailey72

I also do the elepitical for about an hr at least five days a week.

DopeItUp

While eating in a calorie surplus and training appropriately you could probably gain .5-1lb of lean mass per month.

While eating in a calorie deficit you will gain approximately zero (maybe 1-2lbs initially as noob gains)

Regarding your question as to whether you should wait to start weight lifting or not: No. Do not wait. Start immediately.

Sarauk2sf

Are you eating at a caloric surplus of deficit?

...and....what Dope said.

carriebailey72

I'm not eating surplus however I'm starting to see my body change for the better. I'm starting to see some muscle defination in my arms and calfs.

carriebailey72

This might be a stupid question but what is noob?

pawnstarNate

I'm attempting to lose a little and gain muscle mass also. I know it's going to take longer to see the weight loss...I've got about 10-15lbs to drop. first half of last year I dropped 35 lbs doing elliptical twice a day and every other day I would incorporate some sort of weight training in for about 30 minutes but, I was in my "garage" gym. BUT, I did see the weight come off and muscles got toned. During the 2nd half of the year, I gained back 10 due to a foot issue and a broken hand....Now I got my real gym membership for a christmas present so I can really push it now when I'm there. Here is my workout goal and keep in mind I own a business and have wife and 3 kids at home. Elliptical in the mornings (25-30 mins) and weight lifting 3 days a week. Possibly 4 if I do a double on the weekend. I might try a protein supplement to help with muscle recovery. Any of you may respond to give me tips....I may just copy paste this to a new post though.

Chief_Rocka

While eating in a calorie surplus and training appropriately you could probably gain .5-1lb of lean mass per month.

Females are looking at about half of that.

Sarauk2sf

I'm not eating surplus however I'm starting to see my body change for the better. I'm starting to see some muscle defination in my arms and calfs.

You will gain a max of 1 - 2 lb of newbie gains. This is for people who are new to lifting and only lasts for a few months. After that, you may have some small gains if you are significantly overweight. Both circumstances assuming you are strength training with an appropriate progressive loading routine and assuming you get enough protein. Except for those two circumstances you will not gain muscle on a deficit.

You are probably seeing some definition due to a couple of things:


- glycogen and water retention in the muscle from exercising
- decreased body fat

carriebailey72

As of right now I'm lifting as much weight as I can while completing reps of eight. Once I can do the same weight but do 12 reps I up the weight. I'm not sure if it's the proper way to train but that's how I'm doing it at the moment.