Confused - Calorie deficit but I'm gaining muscle??

lamps1303
lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I keep hearing that when in calorie deficit you will not really build muscle, as calorie surplus is needed to 'bulk'. I'm eating 1400-1550 calories per day and do strength training 4 times a week and I'm finding that I am building muscle, especially my arms and shoulders. Does this mean I am eating too many calories (despite my TDEE being around 2000)?

I haven't got a problem with building muscle, as I want to lose BF and tone, but I am just curious as to why I am building even while I'm in calorie deficit, contradicting what most people say??

Replies

  • HelllYeaHH
    HelllYeaHH Posts: 56 Member
    I think that bulking is for people with a low fat %. So if you're not around 8-10% bf yourself I think you'll reach your goal. You will still build muscle but I think it's slower in a deficit

    I'm not quite sure though. Wait for someone else to say if this is true or false. ;)
  • eliqball
    eliqball Posts: 7 Member
    In a calorie deficit you're not really going to build muscle. However, within your first year or so of lifting, it's possible to gain some muscle as your body tries to adapt to the sudden change. However, if you have been training for more than 18 months, it may just be the case that your muscles look larger because they are more visible and you are actually just losing fat. The most you can really do is build strength (depends on the severity of your deficit) and maintain muscle you already have.

    Hope this helps. I'm currently on a deep calorie deficit to try and reach 7-8% BF before bulking again, so feel free to add me. 5 weeks left :'(

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