Putting on muscle on LOW calorie diet

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Nikki_Cherry
Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
I am desperate to loose fat. I'm 5"5 and around 9 stone 4 (128lbs) which I know isn't heavy, but I'm spilling over my jeans. Ideally I'd like to loose around a stone to get back to my weight pre-kids.
My question is I've started weight training (again) and I'm unsure if 1200cals a day is enough to put on any muscle?? Im eating at least 135gs of protein a day but low carbs and fat

Any advice is appreciated :)
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Replies

  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
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    No, it's not.
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
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    Why so?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,404 MFP Moderator
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    Nikki_Cherry wrote: »
    Why so?

    Because you need some fuel for your body so you can build muscle. Also, it's possible that you don't even have a stone to lose.

    Additionally, if you took a more moderate approach, it's possible that you could gain a bit of muscle and lose fat subsequently.
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
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    I disagree I think a stone is about right.....I was around 8 1/2 stone when I felt in the best shape. 1200cals doesn't sound like alot but i don't feel hungry and my protein is high. I guess I'm just impatient!!!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,404 MFP Moderator
    edited January 2018
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    Nikki_Cherry wrote: »
    I disagree I think a stone is about right.....I was around 8 1/2 stone when I felt in the best shape. 1200cals doesn't sound like alot but i don't feel hungry and my protein is high. I guess I'm just impatient!!!

    Do you know your body fat? Because your pic looks like low 20s, grant it, it's a side view and doesn't so much.
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
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    No i dont. But I would guess at around 25-30%
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
    edited January 2018
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    (My profile pic is from last year when I was much thinner!!)
  • YogiJear
    YogiJear Posts: 118 Member
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    body-fat-percentage-chart-men-women.jpg
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,404 MFP Moderator
    edited January 2018
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    Unless you carry a ton of weight on your lower body, 25% is probably realistic.

    So at @ 25%

    Weight - 128
    Fat Mass - 32
    Lean body mass - 96

    @ 20% body fat
    =96 / (1-.20) = 120

    @ 16 % body fat
    =96 / (1-.16) = 114

    So a stone might be possible if you maintain your muscle and hit 16% body fat which is super lean for a women.

    This assumes you don't gain or lose any muscle.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,404 MFP Moderator
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    Nikki_Cherry wrote: »
    (My profile pic is from last year when I was much thinner!!)

    Do you have a current pic? I showed the math above.
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
    edited January 2018
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    Better pic below
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
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    manwithmustache wrote: »
    body-fat-percentage-chart-men-women.jpg

    Going by this I'm definitely up near 30 if not more
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
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    Nikki_Cherry wrote: »
    20180108_143703_1516302333614.jpg

    25qar6o.jpg
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
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    you would be better to focus on recomp - building lean muscle while losing fat - its a slow process - but eat at maintenance and lift heavy *kitten* (i.e. do something like stronglifts, wendler) - at your current height/weight - the likelyhood of losing a stone in a healthy/sustainable manner is going to be hard
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
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    9 stone 4 is 130lbs. You are a healthy weight for your height so strength training is ideal.
    You can't build muscle on low cal but your protein intake is good.
    For your height you are not eating enough at 1200, not even sure how you're hitting that protein and getting all the other macros you need for that little calories.
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
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    I only say a stone because i felt best at around 8 1/2. It's more about loosing fat/toning but i don't feel like thats possible while maintaining my current weight iykwim
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
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    it is possible - but it isn't going to be an overnight solution
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
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    Nikki_Cherry wrote: »
    I only say a stone because i felt best at around 8 1/2. It's more about loosing fat/toning but i don't feel like thats possible while maintaining my current weight iykwim

    It's possible, just incredibly slow. I'm about your height and weigh 137 (bulking) and wear a size 2 US at around 20% body fat right now.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
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    You look slim in your photos. A recomp would be the best idea. A good lifting programme will help you tighten up/ lose inches.
  • Nikki_Cherry
    Nikki_Cherry Posts: 31 Member
    edited January 2018
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    RunRutheeRun wrote: »
    You look slim in your photos. A recomp would be the best idea. A good lifting programme will help you tighten up/ lose inches.

    Do you think??!! I honestly feel like I look flabby and overweight. But I agree a recomp fits with what my PT friend said.....that I should worry about measurements/inches not weight. I've just always been lighter!!

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