Is it possible to build muscle and lose fat at the same time

tomcornhole
tomcornhole Posts: 1,084 Member
edited January 25 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, so I spent 15 months losing 70 lbs and I'm at my goal weight (185 lbs). I am just now starting to add calories to find my maintenance intake. That might take a few weeks to figure out.

I had been machine lifting for 12 months. Initial strength gains were significant, but then I just stayed at a certain strength for a long time. Started SS 2 months ago and really enjoy the constant challenge of adding weight. I have gotten to novice weight levels for my weight. I have measured my LBM throughout this whole journey and I have manage to maintain 156 lbs of LBM throughout. Haven't gained or lost LBM at all. So all that 70 lbs was fat (and maybe some extra water to make me cushy).

So now I want to continue SS while maintaining 185 lbs and decreasing BF%. The goal is to add muscle and reduce fat to maintain 185 lbs which will result in a lower BF%.

I know everything says you have to eat at caloric surplus to build muscle. But if I eat at or very near maintenance, do I have any shot at all of building some muscle? I am not in a hurry.

Thanks for your inputs.

Tom

Replies

  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    It is possible but is a painfully slow process. It will take well over a year to achieve the same build muscle/burn fat results you could achieve in a single bulk + cut cycle.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    For the overly fat beginner, it's possible, but you aren't in this category anymore. Do a bulk.
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    Short answer: No.
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