Weightlifting Question

NinaSharp
NinaSharp Posts: 101 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I've heard a bit here and elsewhere about recomp diet, over doing cardio and lifting heavy things. Not really looking for diet advice, just trying to figure out the general consensus: When do you start lifting weight? I have a goal of 135 for my ultimate goal weight and was planning to wait until I got there to focus on weight lifting. Given that I'm eating a deficit (1200 cals a day) would I be wasting my time to lift now? Or would it help me lose weight and then when I start eating at maintenance (or above) allow me to gain muscle?

All comments appreciated.

Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Start yesterday. When you lift in a deficit, you save more muscle than if you had not lifted. If you are within 15 lbs of your goal weight, don't shoot for more than .5/1 pound per week-and you'll save even more. Recomping happens in maintenance, gaining muscle (and fat) happens at a surplus.

    If you look through my pictures my results are from lifting in a deficit. Saving muscle made a huge difference in body composition/physique.
  • 1st_BeStrong
    1st_BeStrong Posts: 14 Member
    You should talk with workout_freak89 . He is good at explaining things.

    I'm losing the old fashioned way, I'm counting calories that MFP determined I should take in.
    Good luck with your inquiries.
  • Sandcastles61
    Sandcastles61 Posts: 506 Member
    It will help you retain lean muscle mass while you lose if you start now. Many people have posted that they regret not at least doing some resistance/strength work during their weight loss phase and were fat skinny by the time they reached goal. It is also easier to retain muscle than rebuild it. Good luck
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Start yesterday. When you lift in a deficit, you save more muscle than if you had not lifted. If you are within 15 lbs of your goal weight, don't shoot for more than .5/1 pound per week-and you'll save even more. Recomping happens in maintenance, gaining muscle (and fat) happens at a surplus.

    If you look through my pictures my results are from lifting in a deficit. Saving muscle made a huge difference in body composition/physique.

    Yep
  • NinaSharp
    NinaSharp Posts: 101 Member
    edited July 2015
    arditarose wrote: »
    Start yesterday. When you lift in a deficit, you save more muscle than if you had not lifted. If you are within 15 lbs of your goal weight, don't shoot for more than .5/1 pound per week-and you'll save even more. Recomping happens in maintenance, gaining muscle (and fat) happens at a surplus.

    If you look through my pictures my results are from lifting in a deficit. Saving muscle made a huge difference in body composition/physique.

    Wow. Sold. I didn't think I could get results like that in a deficit. Thanks so much!

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Lift as soon as you can. It will help preserve muscle mass.
    I wasn't able to start until I was in the mid 150's and I really wish I could have started sooner. So what's happened since I started, well I still lost weight, but I'm smaller now than the last time I was this weight (jeans that fit comfortably the last time I weighed what I do now are falling off my butt).
    My results so far (cardio + ICF + 1600-2000 calories on average):
    ossb46pk3lz6.jpg
    9yxhqkyeylst.jpg
    srjmilcr4mm5.jpg
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    ninasharpe228 wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    Start yesterday. When you lift in a deficit, you save more muscle than if you had not lifted. If you are within 15 lbs of your goal weight, don't shoot for more than .5/1 pound per week-and you'll save even more. Recomping happens in maintenance, gaining muscle (and fat) happens at a surplus.

    If you look through my pictures my results are from lifting in a deficit. Saving muscle made a huge difference in body composition/physique.

    Wow. Sold. I didn't think I could get results like that a deficit. Thanks so much!

    There was a decent amount of muscle beneath my fat I guess. Basically, why lose all that beautiful muscle along with fat while you're in a deficit, when you could save it and have something to WORK with once you get down to goal. Also, you might find your goal doesn't need to be as low as you thought if you have more muscle.
  • Unknown
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  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    Lift now!!! I started lifting from day 1 and I don't regret it for 1 second. You may lose weight a tad slower than someone who is not lifting, but thats because your body is holding onto more muscle than if you didn't.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Start yesterday. When you lift in a deficit, you save more muscle than if you had not lifted. If you are within 15 lbs of your goal weight, don't shoot for more than .5/1 pound per week-and you'll save even more. Recomping happens in maintenance, gaining muscle (and fat) happens at a surplus.

    If you look through my pictures my results are from lifting in a deficit. Saving muscle made a huge difference in body composition/physique.

    This. I've been weight lifting for years, even when I was overweight.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Lift as soon as you can. It will help preserve muscle mass.
    I wasn't able to start until I was in the mid 150's and I really wish I could have started sooner. So what's happened since I started, well I still lost weight, but I'm smaller now than the last time I was this weight (jeans that fit comfortably the last time I weighed what I do now are falling off my butt).
    My results so far (cardio + ICF + 1600-2000 calories on average):
    ossb46pk3lz6.jpg
    9yxhqkyeylst.jpg
    srjmilcr4mm5.jpg

    GREAT job!
  • 1st_BeStrong
    1st_BeStrong Posts: 14 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Lift as soon as you can. It will help preserve muscle mass.
    I wasn't able to start until I was in the mid 150's and I really wish I could have started sooner. So what's happened since I started, well I still lost weight, but I'm smaller now than the last time I was this weight (jeans that fit comfortably the last time I weighed what I do now are falling off my butt).
    My results so far (cardio + ICF + 1600-2000 calories on average):


    ossb46pk3lz6.jpg
    9yxhqkyeylst.jpg
    srjmilcr4mm5.jpg


    Hey, that's a great visual for everyone. I need to do something to try to avoid the extra skin left behind. I sure hope I have the elasticity left in me to tighten it up... You are a great motivator. Thnx for showing your pics!
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