[julie14401]

I am in the normal weight range but I would like to lose about 8 pounds of fat and gain a few pounds of muscle. What would be the best way to go about doing this? Would it make sense to eat about 200-300 calories less than I need per day to help reduce the fat and then weight train to build muscle?

[sumire]

At that weight range, I'd spend some time eating around maintenance (or at a very slight deficit) and taking up heavy weight training. If you're new to strength training, or even just new to lifting heavy, you'll get the best results as far as putting on muscle, so you might as well make the most of it by feeding your body. Then you can diet down to lose the fat. You might even find that you end up simultaneously putting on muscle and losing fat, if you're lucky with the newbie gains.

Whatever you decide to do, it's essential to do strength training while dieting down; otherwise, you risk losing muscle during the process.

[Blueberries]

Originally Posted by sumire

At that weight range, I'd spend some time eating around maintenance (or at a very slight deficit) and taking up heavy weight training.

^That, except not at a deficit. At least, not on a regular basis.

[kelly315]

I agree that it might be best to try not to eat at a deficit at first, just weight train. You might find that you didn't need to lose any pounds at all once your body feels firmer.

[ValRock]

Don't eat in a deficit for 8 lbs. You'll lose more muscle than it's worth just trying to get a little bit of fat off.

Do a recomp.

On training days (lift HEAVY) and eat 300cals above maintenance
On rest days eat 300 cals below.

[vjykmr89]

Yes....calories do not build muscle...hard work does. You will need plenty of protein...and some calories will help because you body needs fuel to work. But eating to excess does not make you strong..plus adding muscle will lower your body fat naturally because muscle burns more calories.

[ValRock]

Originally Posted by vjykmr89

Yes....calories do not build muscle...hard work does. You will need plenty of protein...and some calories will help because you body needs fuel to work. But eating to excess does not make you strong..plus adding muscle will lower your body fat naturally because muscle burns more calories.

???

Your body needs excess calories to build muscle. It can't make them out of nothing...