Can you gain muscle if your loosing weight ?

2»

Replies

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    GymTennis wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    I actually think your question would be more precise as "can you gain muscle and lose fat" and than my previous answer would make more sense. Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights

    Even in a deficit, the OP may the ability to gain some muscle.

    OP, can you gain muscle in a deficit... yea.. most people can, especially if they are new to resistance training/progressive overload training. Will you gain muscle... well unless you get DEXA scans, you won't actually know. So at best, follow a structure program, have a small or no deficit, get adequate protein, and just try to get stronger. Even if you do or don't gain muscle, it won't matter if you like how your body is shaping up.

    I don't understand why you would feel the need to correct me. I've said nothing wrong. You just slightly extended on my answer yet revealed nothing new that I haven't said.

    Because: "Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights " is not always true.

    Please. Not "always" true. Do you think this girl is on steroids or knows what progressive overload is? Lol ok. I specifically mentioned the "beginners part" and when you drop from maintenance to an even moderate caloric deficit the chances you can build muscle are so small that shouldn't be discussed. What if you are a beginner on a large deficit? Can you still put muscle on? How much muscle are you talking about on a deficit for a beginner? A 100g. A kilo? Not always true. Please. I realize you are a moderator but you don't have to be vain.

    Vastly over-stated to claim people generally lose muscle in a deficit. Muscle simply isn't a preferred fuel source, it's incredibly inefficient to burn muscle for energy as compared to glycogen and fat.
    Sure you can lose muscle with an excessive deficit, getting lighter with no muscle stimulus or change in exercise, malnutrition etc. but it's erroneous to claim that's normal across a population.
    It's far from unusual for people to have a sensible deficit, increase their training stimulus and have an adequate diet whilst losing weight. Used to be called getting in shape - it was the expectation not the exception.

    If you are already lean and near your genetic potential (body builder on a cut perhaps?) then the situation is different - but that applies to a tiny minority of the general population (who often tend to be under-trained and over-fat) as opposed to the "serious lifter" demographic.

    BTW - I've never taken PEDs and have gained muscle many times in a deficit throughout my training lifetime.
    Young and perhaps better than average genetics.
    Recovering from injury (3" increase in quads and lost 14lbs...)
    Novel training stimulus.
    Returning to previous training levels.
    Tiny deficit and hard training.
    Improved programming/training.

    In the end most people will generally agree on the methods to obtain the personal best possible individual results and whether that means more/less/same muscle for that individual is a pretty pointless exercise.


    Thank you kind Sir. I don't know why you would quote me either. I was writing in very loose terms in all my posts. When I said lose muscle I didn't exactly mean it's gonna run off around the corner. When you are in a constant deficit your body thinks you are going to die and will do anything to prevent that or slow it down. It is all our knowledge on nutrition and training that turn that process in to nice looking, muscular, lean bodies. Do I have to put my bathroom selfie as my profile pic so you guys stop trying to teach me something? This forum is full of "experts" who don't hesitate to rub their expertise in your face.

    I quoted you because I fundamentally disagree about your statement about inevitability of muscle loss - nothing more complex that that.
    To quote Lenin - "A lie told often enough becomes the truth."
    If misinformation is allowed to go unchallenged it just adds to the mountain of bro science.

    Your body also doesn't "think it's going to die" just because you are in a deficit. It doesn't have any sense of self and doesn't have the ability to know if you are in a deficit or not - we don't have an inbuilt TDEE calculator. Even if your body somehow knew it was at TDEE -1 basic physiology doesn't change. Deficit and your body's reaction to that deficit is a continuum not a switch.



  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    Yes, but it is difficult. You could focus more on muscle definition and how toned you *look* because obviously as you lose weight and fat you will have a lower body fat percentage, especially if you strength train. Strength train while you diet and your body will be more likely to reflect what you seem to want in your figure.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    Verity1111 wrote: »
    Yes, but it is difficult. You could focus more on muscle definition and how toned you *look* because obviously as you lose weight and fat you will have a lower body fat percentage, especially if you strength train. Strength train while you diet and your body will be more likely to reflect what you seem to want in your figure. Rather than just gaining muscle, you will begin to see the muscle you have now as you lose fat and then you can work on gaining more muscle once you are near your goal weight.

  • GymTennis
    GymTennis Posts: 133 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    I actually think your question would be more precise as "can you gain muscle and lose fat" and than my previous answer would make more sense. Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights

    Even in a deficit, the OP may the ability to gain some muscle.

    OP, can you gain muscle in a deficit... yea.. most people can, especially if they are new to resistance training/progressive overload training. Will you gain muscle... well unless you get DEXA scans, you won't actually know. So at best, follow a structure program, have a small or no deficit, get adequate protein, and just try to get stronger. Even if you do or don't gain muscle, it won't matter if you like how your body is shaping up.

    I don't understand why you would feel the need to correct me. I've said nothing wrong. You just slightly extended on my answer yet revealed nothing new that I haven't said.

    Because: "Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights " is not always true.

    Please. Not "always" true. Do you think this girl is on steroids or knows what progressive overload is? Lol ok. I specifically mentioned the "beginners part" and when you drop from maintenance to an even moderate caloric deficit the chances you can build muscle are so small that shouldn't be discussed. What if you are a beginner on a large deficit? Can you still put muscle on? How much muscle are you talking about on a deficit for a beginner? A 100g. A kilo? Not always true. Please. I realize you are a moderator but you don't have to be vain.

    Vastly over-stated to claim people generally lose muscle in a deficit. Muscle simply isn't a preferred fuel source, it's incredibly inefficient to burn muscle for energy as compared to glycogen and fat.
    Sure you can lose muscle with an excessive deficit, getting lighter with no muscle stimulus or change in exercise, malnutrition etc. but it's erroneous to claim that's normal across a population.
    It's far from unusual for people to have a sensible deficit, increase their training stimulus and have an adequate diet whilst losing weight. Used to be called getting in shape - it was the expectation not the exception.

    If you are already lean and near your genetic potential (body builder on a cut perhaps?) then the situation is different - but that applies to a tiny minority of the general population (who often tend to be under-trained and over-fat) as opposed to the "serious lifter" demographic.

    BTW - I've never taken PEDs and have gained muscle many times in a deficit throughout my training lifetime.
    Young and perhaps better than average genetics.
    Recovering from injury (3" increase in quads and lost 14lbs...)
    Novel training stimulus.
    Returning to previous training levels.
    Tiny deficit and hard training.
    Improved programming/training.

    In the end most people will generally agree on the methods to obtain the personal best possible individual results and whether that means more/less/same muscle for that individual is a pretty pointless exercise.


    Thank you kind Sir. I don't know why you would quote me either. I was writing in very loose terms in all my posts. When I said lose muscle I didn't exactly mean it's gonna run off around the corner. When you are in a constant deficit your body thinks you are going to die and will do anything to prevent that or slow it down. It is all our knowledge on nutrition and training that turn that process in to nice looking, muscular, lean bodies. Do I have to put my bathroom selfie as my profile pic so you guys stop trying to teach me something? This forum is full of "experts" who don't hesitate to rub their expertise in your face.

    I quoted you because I fundamentally disagree about your statement about inevitability of muscle loss - nothing more complex that that.
    To quote Lenin - "A lie told often enough becomes the truth."
    If misinformation is allowed to go unchallenged it just adds to the mountain of bro science.

    Your body also doesn't "think it's going to die" just because you are in a deficit. It doesn't have any sense of self and doesn't have the ability to know if you are in a deficit or not - we don't have an inbuilt TDEE calculator. Even if your body somehow knew it was at TDEE -1 basic physiology doesn't change. Deficit and your body's reaction to that deficit is a continuum not a switch.



    Oh really? Why don't you tell that to the victims of concentration camps if a prolonged deficit doesn't lead to starvation and death eventually if pushed to the very limit. Do they build muscle if they do push ups on a piece of bread daily? You guys are amazing. The OP girl made a simple question and the solution is as simple as 1,2,3 for her being a beginner. She is not a professional, has limited knowledge on this, she's not on steroids. So when I answered in layman terms all she needed to know for a start you God given experts attack us 'bros'. If she just stayed on maintenance calories like I said in my first post she would build muscle and lose fat. If she goes to a deficit she can make little muscle or stay happy to retain. She's a woman if you haven't noticed. For Christ's sake How much muscle do you think she can build on a deficit with no lifting experience?

    I think you should reconsider your behavior at this forum. It is embarrassing that I should teach you basic manners at your age. Did it occur to you to ask me to explain what I meant in my posts more precisely and then debate with me instead of going straight to lecture me. I seriously doubt Sir that you have more education or sport and training experience than me. Moreover, I think you are trying to impose on us as though you have some credentials that, in reality, you are far removed from. Anybody can google for information nowadays and watch youtube videos. It doesn't make you an expert to regurgitate others information just because you sense it's valid.

    And it's not even a matter if she would build some muscle or retain for sure lifting on a deficit. It's you guys that feel the need to pitch in with some terminology and theories that causes nothing but paralysis by analysis for the likes of OP. And for what? To be the Robin Hood of the fitness community and save the innocent from us bros giving out "bad information". Or that somebody would think you're a smart. Lol. It's ridiculous.
  • Dofflin
    Dofflin Posts: 127 Member
    Good luck eating what you enjoy in moderation and beginning a new fitness journey! If your strength is going up, it is a good indicator that you're gaining muscle, and if you're not losing weight but are losing inches off your midsection, arms, legs or wherever, then you're probably losing fat. Don't be discouraged by short-term fluctuations, just track accurately, workout consistently, and assess weekly or monthly, tweaking where necessary incrementally :)
  • GymTennis
    GymTennis Posts: 133 Member
    Dofflin wrote: »
    Good luck eating what you enjoy in moderation and beginning a new fitness journey! If your strength is going up, it is a good indicator that you're gaining muscle, and if you're not losing weight but are losing inches off your midsection, arms, legs or wherever, then you're probably losing fat. Don't be discouraged by short-term fluctuations, just track accurately, workout consistently, and assess weekly or monthly, tweaking where necessary incrementally :)

    Thank you. Amen
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    GymTennis wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    I actually think your question would be more precise as "can you gain muscle and lose fat" and than my previous answer would make more sense. Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights

    Even in a deficit, the OP may the ability to gain some muscle.

    OP, can you gain muscle in a deficit... yea.. most people can, especially if they are new to resistance training/progressive overload training. Will you gain muscle... well unless you get DEXA scans, you won't actually know. So at best, follow a structure program, have a small or no deficit, get adequate protein, and just try to get stronger. Even if you do or don't gain muscle, it won't matter if you like how your body is shaping up.

    I don't understand why you would feel the need to correct me. I've said nothing wrong. You just slightly extended on my answer yet revealed nothing new that I haven't said.

    Because: "Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights " is not always true.

    Please. Not "always" true. Do you think this girl is on steroids or knows what progressive overload is? Lol ok. I specifically mentioned the "beginners part" and when you drop from maintenance to an even moderate caloric deficit the chances you can build muscle are so small that shouldn't be discussed. What if you are a beginner on a large deficit? Can you still put muscle on? How much muscle are you talking about on a deficit for a beginner? A 100g. A kilo? Not always true. Please. I realize you are a moderator but you don't have to be vain.

    Vastly over-stated to claim people generally lose muscle in a deficit. Muscle simply isn't a preferred fuel source, it's incredibly inefficient to burn muscle for energy as compared to glycogen and fat.
    Sure you can lose muscle with an excessive deficit, getting lighter with no muscle stimulus or change in exercise, malnutrition etc. but it's erroneous to claim that's normal across a population.
    It's far from unusual for people to have a sensible deficit, increase their training stimulus and have an adequate diet whilst losing weight. Used to be called getting in shape - it was the expectation not the exception.

    If you are already lean and near your genetic potential (body builder on a cut perhaps?) then the situation is different - but that applies to a tiny minority of the general population (who often tend to be under-trained and over-fat) as opposed to the "serious lifter" demographic.

    BTW - I've never taken PEDs and have gained muscle many times in a deficit throughout my training lifetime.
    Young and perhaps better than average genetics.
    Recovering from injury (3" increase in quads and lost 14lbs...)
    Novel training stimulus.
    Returning to previous training levels.
    Tiny deficit and hard training.
    Improved programming/training.

    In the end most people will generally agree on the methods to obtain the personal best possible individual results and whether that means more/less/same muscle for that individual is a pretty pointless exercise.


    Thank you kind Sir. I don't know why you would quote me either. I was writing in very loose terms in all my posts. When I said lose muscle I didn't exactly mean it's gonna run off around the corner. When you are in a constant deficit your body thinks you are going to die and will do anything to prevent that or slow it down. It is all our knowledge on nutrition and training that turn that process in to nice looking, muscular, lean bodies. Do I have to put my bathroom selfie as my profile pic so you guys stop trying to teach me something? This forum is full of "experts" who don't hesitate to rub their expertise in your face.

    I quoted you because I fundamentally disagree about your statement about inevitability of muscle loss - nothing more complex that that.
    To quote Lenin - "A lie told often enough becomes the truth."
    If misinformation is allowed to go unchallenged it just adds to the mountain of bro science.

    Your body also doesn't "think it's going to die" just because you are in a deficit. It doesn't have any sense of self and doesn't have the ability to know if you are in a deficit or not - we don't have an inbuilt TDEE calculator. Even if your body somehow knew it was at TDEE -1 basic physiology doesn't change. Deficit and your body's reaction to that deficit is a continuum not a switch.



    Oh really? Why don't you tell that to the victims of concentration camps if a prolonged deficit doesn't lead to starvation and death eventually if pushed to the very limit. Do they build muscle if they do push ups on a piece of bread daily? You guys are amazing. The OP girl made a simple question and the solution is as simple as 1,2,3 for her being a beginner. She is not a professional, has limited knowledge on this, she's not on steroids. So when I answered in layman terms all she needed to know for a start you God given experts attack us 'bros'. If she just stayed on maintenance calories like I said in my first post she would build muscle and lose fat. If she goes to a deficit she can make little muscle or stay happy to retain. She's a woman if you haven't noticed. For Christ's sake How much muscle do you think she can build on a deficit with no lifting experience?

    I think you should reconsider your behavior at this forum. It is embarrassing that I should teach you basic manners at your age. Did it occur to you to ask me to explain what I meant in my posts more precisely and then debate with me instead of going straight to lecture me. I seriously doubt Sir that you have more education or sport and training experience than me. Moreover, I think you are trying to impose on us as though you have some credentials that, in reality, you are far removed from. Anybody can google for information nowadays and watch youtube videos. It doesn't make you an expert to regurgitate others information just because you sense it's valid.

    And it's not even a matter if she would build some muscle or retain for sure lifting on a deficit. It's you guys that feel the need to pitch in with some terminology and theories that causes nothing but paralysis by analysis for the likes of OP. And for what? To be the Robin Hood of the fitness community and save the innocent from us bros giving out "bad information". Or that somebody would think you're a smart. Lol. It's ridiculous.

    Wow!

    I'm happy to debate but that requires an open mind rather than silly comparisons between a moderate deficit and poor souls in concentration camps. Debate also means responding to what is written rather than hyperbole and a vivid imagination. There's really is no need to be so dramatic.

    If you make inaccurate sweeping statements they will get challenged, that's part of what forums are for. Any lack of precision is on you not me.
    I wont respond further to save derailing this thread. Have a nice day.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    GymTennis wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    GymTennis wrote: »
    I actually think your question would be more precise as "can you gain muscle and lose fat" and than my previous answer would make more sense. Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights

    Even in a deficit, the OP may the ability to gain some muscle.

    OP, can you gain muscle in a deficit... yea.. most people can, especially if they are new to resistance training/progressive overload training. Will you gain muscle... well unless you get DEXA scans, you won't actually know. So at best, follow a structure program, have a small or no deficit, get adequate protein, and just try to get stronger. Even if you do or don't gain muscle, it won't matter if you like how your body is shaping up.

    I don't understand why you would feel the need to correct me. I've said nothing wrong. You just slightly extended on my answer yet revealed nothing new that I haven't said.

    Because: "Cause when you start to drop weight by forming a caloric deficit, you lose both muscle and fat, and at best, you can hope to retain as much muscle as possible by lifting weights " is not always true.

    Please. Not "always" true. Do you think this girl is on steroids or knows what progressive overload is? Lol ok. I specifically mentioned the "beginners part" and when you drop from maintenance to an even moderate caloric deficit the chances you can build muscle are so small that shouldn't be discussed. What if you are a beginner on a large deficit? Can you still put muscle on? How much muscle are you talking about on a deficit for a beginner? A 100g. A kilo? Not always true. Please. I realize you are a moderator but you don't have to be vain.

    Vastly over-stated to claim people generally lose muscle in a deficit. Muscle simply isn't a preferred fuel source, it's incredibly inefficient to burn muscle for energy as compared to glycogen and fat.
    Sure you can lose muscle with an excessive deficit, getting lighter with no muscle stimulus or change in exercise, malnutrition etc. but it's erroneous to claim that's normal across a population.
    It's far from unusual for people to have a sensible deficit, increase their training stimulus and have an adequate diet whilst losing weight. Used to be called getting in shape - it was the expectation not the exception.

    If you are already lean and near your genetic potential (body builder on a cut perhaps?) then the situation is different - but that applies to a tiny minority of the general population (who often tend to be under-trained and over-fat) as opposed to the "serious lifter" demographic.

    BTW - I've never taken PEDs and have gained muscle many times in a deficit throughout my training lifetime.
    Young and perhaps better than average genetics.
    Recovering from injury (3" increase in quads and lost 14lbs...)
    Novel training stimulus.
    Returning to previous training levels.
    Tiny deficit and hard training.
    Improved programming/training.

    In the end most people will generally agree on the methods to obtain the personal best possible individual results and whether that means more/less/same muscle for that individual is a pretty pointless exercise.


    Thank you kind Sir. I don't know why you would quote me either. I was writing in very loose terms in all my posts. When I said lose muscle I didn't exactly mean it's gonna run off around the corner. When you are in a constant deficit your body thinks you are going to die and will do anything to prevent that or slow it down. It is all our knowledge on nutrition and training that turn that process in to nice looking, muscular, lean bodies. Do I have to put my bathroom selfie as my profile pic so you guys stop trying to teach me something? This forum is full of "experts" who don't hesitate to rub their expertise in your face.

    I quoted you because I fundamentally disagree about your statement about inevitability of muscle loss - nothing more complex that that.
    To quote Lenin - "A lie told often enough becomes the truth."
    If misinformation is allowed to go unchallenged it just adds to the mountain of bro science.

    Your body also doesn't "think it's going to die" just because you are in a deficit. It doesn't have any sense of self and doesn't have the ability to know if you are in a deficit or not - we don't have an inbuilt TDEE calculator. Even if your body somehow knew it was at TDEE -1 basic physiology doesn't change. Deficit and your body's reaction to that deficit is a continuum not a switch.



    Oh really? Why don't you tell that to the victims of concentration camps if a prolonged deficit doesn't lead to starvation and death eventually if pushed to the very limit. Do they build muscle if they do push ups on a piece of bread daily? You guys are amazing. The OP girl made a simple question and the solution is as simple as 1,2,3 for her being a beginner. She is not a professional, has limited knowledge on this, she's not on steroids. So when I answered in layman terms all she needed to know for a start you God given experts attack us 'bros'. If she just stayed on maintenance calories like I said in my first post she would build muscle and lose fat. If she goes to a deficit she can make little muscle or stay happy to retain. She's a woman if you haven't noticed. For Christ's sake How much muscle do you think she can build on a deficit with no lifting experience?

    I think you should reconsider your behavior at this forum. It is embarrassing that I should teach you basic manners at your age. Did it occur to you to ask me to explain what I meant in my posts more precisely and then debate with me instead of going straight to lecture me. I seriously doubt Sir that you have more education or sport and training experience than me. Moreover, I think you are trying to impose on us as though you have some credentials that, in reality, you are far removed from. Anybody can google for information nowadays and watch youtube videos. It doesn't make you an expert to regurgitate others information just because you sense it's valid.

    And it's not even a matter if she would build some muscle or retain for sure lifting on a deficit. It's you guys that feel the need to pitch in with some terminology and theories that causes nothing but paralysis by analysis for the likes of OP. And for what? To be the Robin Hood of the fitness community and save the innocent from us bros giving out "bad information". Or that somebody would think you're a smart. Lol. It's ridiculous.

    Why are you always so defensive? Do you always argue when people make corrections to what you suggest? If anyone has poor behavior, it's not @sijomail or myself. The whole premise of having a "discussion" board is to have a discussion regarding specific topics. If you do not like, or are uncomfortable with people making corrections to generalizations, than this might not be for you.

    And if you are in the field, than you may want to act like a professional. At this point, calling everyone bro's and making comments like the bold is poor behavior and not a good reflection on yourself. Honestly, is that how you treat people in your profession?
  • NikkiiBaby68
    NikkiiBaby68 Posts: 55 Member
    You can but it will seem like an ummm..."slower" process like scale wise when it in fact isn't. I fell in love with kettlebell before I got sick. When I started doing kettlebell I noticed right away i seemed to lose more "weight" yet has that beautiful muscle. I suggest kettlebell then if you want to weight train after that do so. I swear by kettlebell and dont have enough to say about it.
  • richln
    richln Posts: 809 Member
    I have a theory that there is corollary to Godwin's law that states that any thread about gaining muscle while losing weight will converge to reductio ad concentratum campus with a median of less than 100 posts.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    Dofflin wrote: »
    Good luck eating what you enjoy in moderation and beginning a new fitness journey! If your strength is going up, it is a good indicator that you're gaining muscle, and if you're not losing weight but are losing inches off your midsection, arms, legs or wherever, then you're probably losing fat. Don't be discouraged by short-term fluctuations, just track accurately, workout consistently, and assess weekly or monthly, tweaking where necessary incrementally :)

    strength does not mean you are gaining muscle.you can get stronger without building muscle. strength gains dont always mean muscle gains.
  • Unknown
    edited March 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • jroth261
    jroth261 Posts: 117 Member
    edited March 2017
    tbrain1989 wrote: »

    Now if your body is using pre-exisiting fat stores to convert to glycogen as energy. Then the proteins you consume cna be utilised by the body for building muscle.

    The deficit everyone aims for is not a true deficit. its more like a deficit for the future. or a surplus from the past.

    Let me explain:

    if your goal is to eat 2500 calories to maintain your weight. if you eat 2000 on monday, and 3000 on tuesday. then youre not in a deficit. at all.
    similarly, if you eat 2000 on monday and 2000 on tuesday, your body will seek the other energy from your fat stores. so its not a true deficit its just the excess calories you ate once upon a time. so if you add extra resistance training to your life. and say your body tries to use 500kcal extra for the exercise. it will use the protein and food you eat to build the muscles. and it will take extra fat from the pre-existing surplus to produce the glycogen hence why having more muscle, burns more fat. i mean im not an expert but that makes sense to me and the numbers from my own experience make sense.

    i feel ive ranted. hopefully it makes sense.

    I know I've gained muscle before while in a deficit and it wasn't just existing muscle veiled by melting fat because I was progressing in lifting heavier weights. Although granted I probably could have made quicker gains if not in a deficit. Never really understood how that could happen but your explanation sounds logical, so thanks for putting that out there! :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,956 Member
    jroth261 wrote: »
    tbrain1989 wrote: »

    Now if your body is using pre-exisiting fat stores to convert to glycogen as energy. Then the proteins you consume cna be utilised by the body for building muscle.

    The deficit everyone aims for is not a true deficit. its more like a deficit for the future. or a surplus from the past.

    Let me explain:

    if your goal is to eat 2500 calories to maintain your weight. if you eat 2000 on monday, and 3000 on tuesday. then youre not in a deficit. at all.
    similarly, if you eat 2000 on monday and 2000 on tuesday, your body will seek the other energy from your fat stores. so its not a true deficit its just the excess calories you ate once upon a time. so if you add extra resistance training to your life. and say your body tries to use 500kcal extra for the exercise. it will use the protein and food you eat to build the muscles. and it will take extra fat from the pre-existing surplus to produce the glycogen hence why having more muscle, burns more fat. i mean im not an expert but that makes sense to me and the numbers from my own experience make sense.

    i feel ive ranted. hopefully it makes sense.

    I know I've gained muscle before while in a deficit and it wasn't just existing muscle veiled by melting fat because I was progressing in lifting heavier weights. Although granted I probably could have made quicker gains if not in a deficit. Never really understood how that could happen but your explanation sounds logical, so thanks for putting that out there! :)
    Being stronger doesn't necessarily mean you gained muscle.

    Power and Olympic lifters work on their strength all the time without trying to gain weight due to weight classes.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


  • markkaharo
    markkaharo Posts: 2 Member
    I'm I the only one who was interested in the heated debate rather than the question itself?

    In any case, it doesn't matter whether you gain muscle or not while being in a caloric deficit what matters is the feel good factor, that is what drives you in the gym