Strength training while eating at a deficit

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jaga13
jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Please explain, if building muscle requires eating at a surplus, why is it beneficial to perform strength training while eating at a deficit? Thank you.

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  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
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    The benefit is minimising the loss of lean body mass while eating at a deficit. You're still going to lose some, it's inevitable, but a sensible deficit and strength training will go a long way to making sure most of the weight lost is from fat. Otherwise you'll end up slim but squishy.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
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    Nony_Mouse wrote: »
    The benefit is minimising the loss of lean body mass while eating at a deficit. You're still going to lose some, it's inevitable, but a sensible deficit and strength training will go a long way to making sure most of the weight lost is from fat. Otherwise you'll end up slim but squishy.

    Does that apply when the deficit amount is very small? (Such as 250 calories or less)?
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
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    zachbonner_ wrote: »
    Strength training is beneficial in many many more ways than purely muscle building. Bone strength, flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular health, immune function, etc

    I agree. I should have clarified specifically regarding weight loss.
  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
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    Because if you are actively using your muscles, your body is less likely to strip them down and convert them to energy. In terms of fat loss specifically, a greater percentage of your fat loss will be fat as opposed to fat and muscle.

    Also if you're out of shape, you will have a "honeymoon phase" and build stronger muscles+ligaments even at a moderate deficit for a few months.
  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
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    zachbonner_ wrote: »
    Strength training is beneficial in many many more ways than purely muscle building. Bone strength, flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular health, immune function, etc

    And these things are arguably just as if not more important than just losing a number on the scale.

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