Can i lift weights and cut calories?

defiance85
defiance85 Posts: 9
edited February 18 in Health and Weight Loss
So i am about to hit the gym for the next 3 month seeing i don't have much to do. My goal is to lose weight while building some muscle.

I was wondering if it's possible to do both at the same time. Any people here with experience?

Also how much weight can i realistically lose in 3 month? I plan to go 4 times a week for 1-2 hours. I also work 3 days a week as a postman (biking, walking, lifting and lots of stairs :tongue:)

I plan to consume 1200-1500 cals/day

Here are stats:
I am 24 male, 176cm and 220 pounds.

Replies

  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    So i am about to hit the gym for the next 3 month seeing i don't have much to do. My goal is to lose weight while building some muscle.

    I was wondering if it's possible to do both at the same time. Any people here with experience?

    Also how much weight can i realistically lose in 3 month? I plan to go 4 times a week for 1-2 hours. I also work 3 days a week as a postman (biking, walking, lifting and lots of stairs :tongue:)

    I plan to consume 1200-1500 cals/day

    Here are stats:
    I am 24 male, 176cm and 220 pounds.

    If you are super new to lifting you could possibly have some newbie gains.

    But essentially to build mass, you have to eat a caloric surplus. To lose weight, you have to eat at a deficit. But lifting while at trying to lose weight will preserve some muscle because when you lose weight it's not fat only. Lift and eat enough protein.

    However, 1200-1500 calories? You may end up zonking really fast, especially working out that often.

    Read lots of the stickies on these forums to get some good info.

    Good luck.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    That's a really low calorie count for your age and weight. I'm losing on 2000 a day and I'm twice your age and 15lbs lighter and I'm at the low end for what I should be eating. You'll be dizzy and feel like crap especially if you are going to work out a lot.

    As has already been posted, you won't gain muscle eating at a deficit. You can get stronger though, but that is your body adapting the muscles you already have to actually using them to lift.

    Do a search for BMR/TDEE and find out the minimum you should be eating, and then what you should actually be eating and still have success.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member


    Also how much weight can i realistically lose in 3 month? I plan to go 4 times a week for 1-2 hours. I also work 3 days a week as a postman (biking, walking, lifting and lots of stairs :tongue:)

    I plan to consume 1200-1500 cals/day

    Here are stats:
    I am 24 male, 176cm and 220 pounds.

    You will lose weight.. But eating that little its gonna be your muscle meaning your gym time is wasted.. and you don't need to spend 2 hours in the gym.. 45 minutes..

    Probably start at 2000/2200 calories and see... 180g of protein daily.
  • Unknown
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  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    Ditto to all of the above. I only do my 90+ minute lifting sessions while bulking, otherwise I'd crash.
  • JoshD8705
    JoshD8705 Posts: 390 Member
    Go do your BMR calculations, because that's not enough calories.

    It's good to mix cardio and lifting while losing weight. It allows you to lay your base. When you hit your goal weight it's time to bulk.
  • charlieibeling
    charlieibeling Posts: 93 Member
    Your post makes it sound that you might stop lifting after 3 months. You need to commit to it. Lifting is very metabolic, you will be burning more calories than normal. Lift hard, eat 200g of protein a day and get around 2000 calories and there is no reason you should not gain muscle while appearing to lean out
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