Difference between cutting and weight loss

sbl1881
sbl1881 Posts: 213 Member
edited April 2016 in Food and Nutrition
I've seen both used, but not sure if there is a difference between the two. If there is, what is it? Can you explain when you'd do one versus the other?

I'm 5'3, 137 and am trying to get in to the mid 120's. Lean and toned :)

Replies

  • CrabNebula
    CrabNebula Posts: 1,119 Member
    Cutting is basically weight loss to get rid of fat covering muscle gained during a bulk.

    Weight loss is just straight losing fat for the sake of losing fat.
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    I think it's just who's using the term.

    Body builders use "bulk" for weight gain and "cut" for weight loss and cycle between the two.

    The general public tend to just use "weight loss" when they are dropping pounds.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    Cutting is basically weight loss to get rid of fat covering muscle gained during a bulk.

    Weight loss is just straight losing fat for the sake of losing fat.

    It doesn't have to be after, and it's not DURING, a bulk. I considered myself "cutting" or "losing fat" when I started lifting in a deficit before ever having bulked. It's probably more semantics than anything but when you are cutting or striving for "fat loss" you are actively trying to maintain lean body mass by lifting as well, so that you don't just have "weight loss"...which would include lean body mass as well.
  • professorhuggins
    professorhuggins Posts: 72 Member
    I think when people say they are cutting, the underlying implication is that they are lifting heavy to minimize loss of muscle mass. And that it is a relatively short term process.
  • datsundriver87
    datsundriver87 Posts: 186 Member
    Weight loss = numbers dropping on a scale due to losing fat, muscle, or both. Cutting= attempting to lose fat while keeping as much or all of your muscle.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    Cutting is basically weight loss to get rid of fat covering muscle gained during a bulk.

    Weight loss is just straight losing fat for the sake of losing fat.
    Weight loss is just losing weight, regardless if it is muscle or fat...
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    seska422 wrote: »
    I think it's just who's using the term.

    Body builders use "bulk" for weight gain and "cut" for weight loss and cycle between the two.

    The general public tend to just use "weight loss" when they are dropping pounds.

    This.

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