Increasing calories to build muscle

CoraGregoryCPA

I was trying to stick around 1500 cals for my goal in March. I was on a role to trying something different every month to educate myself through experience but I do go to the library and checkout numerous books every weekend. See my profile. I workout a lot! I noticed anything less than 1400 cals was making my workouts tiring. I want to build muscle. I just finished reading New rules for lifting for women. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday I ate 2000 calories of bad choices-. I did bodypump on Sunday and it was hard, but I think I was lifting slightly more than I should have. I had my strength training class this morning and the 7lb free weight was "easy" compared to when I was using a 6 lb weight a week ago. I wonder if eating more gave me more strength.. I'm so confused about everything! I want to build muscle but I'm afraid to eat more!!!! Yikes! I already committed to 1500 cals for the month of March, but I'm wondering if I should increase that to 1800-maybe, or just stick with 1500 and see what happens.. Any advice? The TDEE and NROL4W say I should be around 2000 cals. I'm 5' 1.5", 155lb, want to be at 140, workout minimum 5, sometimes 6 days a week. Strength training minimum 2, but sometimes 3 days a week. Outside of that, I run, spin, bodycombat, bodystep.

What if I gain when I increase but strength training gets easier? Is this good? Will the muscle get rid of the fat eventually? Do you increase your calorie intake "overnight" or gradually increase? <--- nobody has answered this question anywhere. I tried searching first, but no help.

Thanks in advance!

In my strength training Tues and Thurs class. I'm using 10lb and 7lb free weights. I've increased from 5lb and 3lb weight over 12 week period. Next week I will bump it up to 11lb and 8lb. I eventually will get to 12lb and 9lb free weights before this final 6 week class. Then maybe I'll get the courage to start the New Rules for Lifting for women workout!

CoraGregoryCPA

Bump

What if I gain on the scale when I increase calories but strength training gets easier? Is this good? Will the muscle get rid of the fat eventually? Do you increase your calorie intake "overnight" or gradually increase? <--- nobody has answered this question anywhere. I tried searching first, but no help.

wellbert

Eating at a surplus will grow both fat and muscle.
Muscle doesn't 'get rid' of fat. Diet does.

The weights you are using are completely inadequate for building any sort of muscle for a person of average to slightly below average untrained strength.

sccet

My .02:

Lift much heavier and focus on compound exercises. Work to failure. 5x5's are good.

Don't increase calorie intake for the sake of it. See how you do after a month or two of the above. I'm betting that you will increase your strength and (puts on flame-retardant suit) muscle mass ("but but but - that's impossibru!!!").

Then, if you want to increase calories thereafter, do it. But don't go over your TDEE by more than 200 kcals or so.

CoraGregoryCPA

Thanks! I'll continue with 1500 for March and see how it goes. Thanks so much!

hookilau

I was trying to stick around 1500 cals for my goal in March. I was on a role to trying something different every month to educate myself through experience but I do go to the library and checkout numerous books every weekend. See my profile. I workout a lot! I noticed anything less than 1400 cals was making my workouts tiring. I want to build muscle. I just finished reading New rules for lifting for women. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday I ate 2000 calories of bad choices-. I did bodypump on Sunday and it was hard, but I think I was lifting slightly more than I should have. I had my strength training class this morning and the 7lb free weight was "easy" compared to when I was using a 6 lb weight a week ago. I wonder if eating more gave me more strength.. I'm so confused about everything! I want to build muscle but I'm afraid to eat more!!!! Yikes! I already committed to 1500 cals for the month of March, but I'm wondering if I should increase that to 1800-maybe, or just stick with 1500 and see what happens.. Any advice? The TDEE and NROL4W say I should be around 2000 cals. I'm 5' 1.5", 155lb, want to be at 140, workout minimum 5, sometimes 6 days a week. Strength training minimum 2, but sometimes 3 days a week. Outside of that, I run, spin, bodycombat, bodystep.

What if I gain when I increase but strength training gets easier? Is this good? Will the muscle get rid of the fat eventually? Do you increase your calorie intake "overnight" or gradually increase? <--- nobody has answered this question anywhere. I tried searching first, but no help.

Thanks in advance!

In my strength training Tues and Thurs class. I'm using 10lb and 7lb free weights. I've increased from 5lb and 3lb weight over 12 week period. Next week I will bump it up to 11lb and 8lb. I eventually will get to 12lb and 9lb free weights before this final 6 week class. Then maybe I'll get the courage to start the New Rules for Lifting for women workout!

woops. I slipped :blushing:

Debbiedebbiey

Bump for more please

Cognito1025

My .02:

Lift much heavier and focus on compound exercises. Work to failure. 5x5's are good.

Don't increase calorie intake for the sake of it. See how you do after a month or two of the above. I'm betting that you will increase your strength and (puts on flame-retardant suit) muscle mass ("but but but - that's impossibru!!!").

Then, if you want to increase calories thereafter, do it. But don't go over your TDEE by more than 200 kcals or so.

Agree 100%.