Weight and Resistance Training Boost weight loss, and look great!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 05-14-2013, 09:52 AM   #1  
Dropweight Diva
Thread Starter
 
Song of Surly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: VA, USA
Posts: 305

S/C/G: 245/ticker/160

Height: 5'6"

Default Can you build muscle on a caloric deficit?

So this question has been annoying me, mostly in that I am having a hard time finding a clear answer to the question. Well, not exactly that, but that there are several clear answers that appear to be of different opinions. If anyone has a clear article that a layman could read that appears legit, I'd appreciate it.

I've noticed that it feels and looks like I have built some muscle through heavy, consistent lifting. This is mostly in my arms, legs, and butt. I've noticed that my strength has increased, but I know muscle strength and muscle mass are not exactly the same entity. For some reason, I've always been fairly muscular despite my weight, and when I was thinner and was active in sports, I always put on muscle quickly. So, is it possible that I have gained muscle mass with a caloric deficit? I mean, it seems people have a hard time gaining muscle mass when that is their entire focus (ie. eating more calories/protein). Or at least am I off-setting muscle loss in some way, and thus, the shedding of fat off what muscles I have is making them more noticeable? I guess it really doesn't matter, because what I am most interested in is building strength, but it has me curious.

Last edited by Song of Surly; 05-14-2013 at 09:54 AM.
Song of Surly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2013, 04:34 AM   #2  
Trying for normal
 
AlmostMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London
Posts: 593

S/C/G: 253/ticker/175

Height: 5'5"

Default

I have definitely built muscle while losing weight.

Here's a nice article from livestrong http://www.livestrong.com/article/36...lorie-deficit/ which suggests that you need to be quite overweight to do this....which I am. Hurray??!!!
AlmostMe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2013, 05:06 AM   #3  
Renaissance Woman
 
geoblewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: California, USA
Posts: 2,590

S/C/G: 363/306/185

Height: 5'10.5"

Default

I've been building muscle while on calorie deficit for four years. Not losing weight very quickly, so I still can't see the muscles, but I can definitely feel them!

Last edited by geoblewis; 05-15-2013 at 05:06 AM.
geoblewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2013, 05:32 AM   #4  
Trying to be in the 160s
 
IanG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 4,807

S/C/G: See my siggy ;)

Height: 5'8"

Default

Yes, just make sure you get enough lean protein. It don't take much.
IanG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2013, 07:51 AM   #5  
Senior Member
 
sacha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,640

S/C/G: 163/128/125

Height: 5'5

Default

Yes, but it's not as common as people would think. People who are untrained, obese, beginners in general, find this to be true. It's also worth noting that there is a difference between gaining strength and gaining muscle - they do not exclude each other, but they are not the exact same thing.

Take for example, me, and my friend. I do powerlifting and she does bodybuilding. At the same stats, she has more more lean muscle mass than I do, and it's quite visible, yet I am physically stronger.

Bottom line, eat enough protein, challenge your body with weights, and be consistent - as you lose the weight, your body composition will reflect it.
sacha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2013, 07:54 AM   #6  
Trying to be in the 160s
 
IanG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 4,807

S/C/G: See my siggy ;)

Height: 5'8"

Default

Great advice Sacha.
IanG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2013, 01:25 PM   #7  
Dropweight Diva
Thread Starter
 
Song of Surly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: VA, USA
Posts: 305

S/C/G: 245/ticker/160

Height: 5'6"

Default

Thanks for the input and advice everyone! It seems like I'm doing what I need to be doing, but I was just curious. It's been a while developing proper form, but I'm getting there. I feel like I am finally doing squats correctly after years of improper form, and my butt is starting to show it. Hallelujah!
Song of Surly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2013, 03:18 PM   #8  
Senior Member
 
angiemama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 204

S/C/G: 225/ticker/135

Height: 5'7''

Default

It's definitely possible, but it does become a balance. Just like weight loss, if you eat too few calories, no more weight will budge off you. If you eat too many, no weight loss either.
It's the same with muscle gain... too few calories and no difference will happen.
angiemama is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Related Topics
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
how much do you lift? blueice10 Weight and Resistance Training 29 03-28-2023 08:43 AM
Thinks Are Starting to Get Tricky and I'm a Bit Overwhelmed niafabo Weight Loss Support 18 04-01-2011 02:51 PM
Getting close to maintenance and noticing a few things Fat Pants Living Maintenance 11 12-04-2009 03:23 PM
Building Muscle Mass in Calorie Deficit stuckinTX Weight and Resistance Training 17 10-21-2005 03:48 PM


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:31 PM.


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.