Does lifting weights do anything at a caloric deficit?

BEERRUNNER

Resistance training, while in a calorie deficit, will improve strength, retain lean body mass, strengthen bones and improve cardio vascular health. The majority of the weight you lose will be body fat. This produces the body that most people are looking for.

Preach on playa!!!!!!! ^^^ I agree!!

Leadfoot_Lewis

so what do you suggest I do if I want to lose my weight and body fat to get back down to 155, but also get definition which you say is gaining muscle? do I eat at a deficit for losing the fat, or at a caloric surplus for gaining the muscle? This is what annoys me, I don't understand how this can work. Please suggest to me your ideas for my goals.

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. This question has pretty much already been answered but since you directed this towards me I'll give you my $.02. It's obvious you know how to lose the weight, the key is to keep it off and to incorporate weightlifting into your workout regime e.g. Full Body Workout x3/week. As long as your calorie deficit isn't ridiculous (below 1200 kcal) then keep eating as you are. By incorporating lifting, you will retain the muscle you have, and will probably experience what's called "newbie" gains. You'll get the "look" that you desire. It does take time. As women, it is very hard to gain muscle but by keeping consistent with your lifting and diet, you'll get there. Just a few benefits of weightlifting are:

Improved strength
Improved metabolism
Stronger bones, tendons, and ligaments
Calorie Burn (yes, you do burn calories when lifting weights)

People make it harder than it is. Fat loss=calorie deficit Muscle gain=heavy lifting

notworthstalking

so what do you suggest I do if I want to lose my weight and body fat to get back down to 155, but also get definition which you say is gaining muscle? do I eat at a deficit for losing the fat, or at a caloric surplus for gaining the muscle? This is what annoys me, I don't understand how this can work. Please suggest to me your ideas for my goals.

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. This question has pretty much already been answered but since you directed this towards me I'll give you my $.02. It's obvious you know how to lose the weight, the key is to keep it off and to incorporate weightlifting into your workout regime e.g. Full Body Workout x3/week. As long as your calorie deficit isn't ridiculous (below 1200 kcal) then keep eating as you are. By incorporating lifting, you will retain the muscle you have, and will probably experience what's called "newbie" gains. You'll get the "look" that you desire. It does take time. As women, it is very hard to gain muscle but by keeping consistent with your lifting and diet, you'll get there. Just a few benefits of weightlifting are:

Improved strength
Improved metabolism
Stronger bones, tendons, and ligaments
Calorie Burn (yes, you do burn calories when lifting weights)

People make it harder than it is. Fat loss=calorie deficit Muscle gain=heavy lifting

I want to add that the improved metabolism is a big bonus for me. Get stronger, use your muscles, move more - it happens naturally as you get fitter and stronger, you will burn more. When I was a really active teenager , I was skinny , too skinny, but I always moved. As I am getting stronger, eating more, my metabolism is getting closer to what it was a 17. I am 32. I love food, and love being able to eat almost whatever I want. Almost, because Healthy food is better lol.

caseythirteen

I've been heavy lifting at a deficit for about 7 months now. Granted...I take maintenance weeks here and there, but I've never eaten in a surplus in over a year now. I've gained a ton of strength, maintained my LBM and lost body fat. All while feeling totally strong, awesome and just plain bad *kitten*.

^^ And she IS a badass! I totally agree with her too. I haven't eaten at a general surplus and have made huge changes in my body. Fat has gone, the muscles that I actively work at preserving and getting stronger are showing through more than ever and I love how I feel, I am not bulky (pics in profile) but love the muscle that I do have!