deficit, maintenance or surplus??

saltedcaramel86
saltedcaramel86 Posts: 238 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm at my goal weight (actually under but still within healthy range), don't want to drop any more lbs and generally happy with my body, just trying to lose some BF% and tone up. My main "problem" area is my stomach but can slowly see it coming along. For the past few weeks, I've been doing a basic at-home weight program but my You Are Your Own Gym book arrived today (can't wait to get started) so combining that with weights for strength, as well as some cardio (walking/hiking with the dog, occasional runs and recently started doing some kickboxing using YouTube videos) I'm pretty happy with my workout regime. However, I'm confused. I'm not sure whether I should be eating at a deficit to lose BF% or at maintenance or surplus to tone/build some muscle? My legs are in great shape and my arms are coming along, it's mostly my torso. I'm confused, HELP!

Replies

  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Maintenance
  • medic2038
    medic2038 Posts: 434 Member
    I'm at my goal weight (actually under but still within healthy range), don't want to drop any more lbs and generally happy with my body, just trying to lose some BF% and tone up. My main "problem" area is my stomach but can slowly see it coming along. For the past few weeks, I've been doing a basic at-home weight program but my You Are Your Own Gym book arrived today (can't wait to get started) so combining that with weights for strength, as well as some cardio (walking/hiking with the dog, occasional runs and recently started doing some kickboxing using YouTube videos) I'm pretty happy with my workout regime. However, I'm confused. I'm not sure whether I should be eating at a deficit to lose BF% or at maintenance or surplus to tone/build some muscle? My legs are in great shape and my arms are coming along, it's mostly my torso. I'm confused, HELP!

    If your goal is to drop bodyfat, you need to keep a deficit until you get to whatever level of leanness you're looking for. Now there's some debate about how "efficient" lifting at maintenance is for composition changes (generally it seems genetics play a large part here). I have a few friends that absolutely swear by leangains, but it's not something I've ever tried myself.
  • djwife03
    djwife03 Posts: 333 Member
    i get confused on this also! I am 5'11 and 166lbs. want to get down to like 158lbs. my cals are set at 1650, but I have had hard time reaching that, and was told by many on here that I'm not eating enough. yesterday was the first day I tried eating more. i was still under, but ended up better that I have been! I am going for weight loss and toning......and right now, I'm doing the 30 day shred, along with ripped in 30....so not sure what I need for my body to accomplish what I want either!

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