Weight Gain / Loss - which first?

thirtysomething

For the new me - sleaker, stronger (currently heavier, weaker) Is it better to lose the fat first and then work on my muscular development or should I be doing them both at the same time?

davyjose

Good question. I think a lot of people trying to put on muscle have assumed that they must put on fat if they want to put on muscle. Personally I've put on quite a bit of both this ... sorry last year, and to be honest it was a bit of an excuse - there's no reason not to be able to lose weight AND put on muscle. It's really about working hard, both in the gym and on your diet.
A lot of people will tell you to 'Bulk' and then 'tone', but really maintaining muscle while actually burning calories is extremely difficult to do.

Sangre

If you've a set goal of gaining a certain weight at a low bf% then bulk and cut is the best way to go. By bulking first you'll have increased your calorie requirements making weight lost easier.

Its also much easier to maintain muscle and lose fat then gain muscle while not gaining fat.

rubadub

I read a fair few sites about this, most concluded that if you are initially overweight you can gain muscle on a calorie deficit diet. If you want to loose fat anyway lifting heavy weights is a very good way to do it.

Degsy

davyjose wrote:

Good question. I think a lot of people trying to put on muscle have assumed that they must put on fat if they want to put on muscle. Personally I've put on quite a bit of both this ... sorry last year, and to be honest it was a bit of an excuse - there's no reason not to be able to lose weight AND put on muscle. It's really about working hard, both in the gym and on your diet.
A lot of people will tell you to 'Bulk' and then 'tone', but really maintaining muscle while actually burning calories is extremely difficult to do.

There's a dietary protocol developed by some of the lads on here called "anacat" which shold allow you to do just that.I'm sure somebody will be along to explain it in more detail but the upshot of it is:Eat like a man possesed 24 hours either side of your workout,carbs,protein,fats,the lot.The rest of the time dont eat so much,particularly dont eat so many carbs.This will allow you to shed fat whilst gaining muscle.I'm using it at the moment and its working nicely!!

justsomebloke

anacat.teamtestforum.com

Dragan

Degsy wrote:

I'm using it at the moment and its working nicely!!

Sweet, glad to here it! I am back on it now after finishing the GSD and have to say it's lovely! Some days i eat lots, some days i eat little.

Degsy

Dragan wrote:

Sweet, glad to here it! I am back on it now after finishing the GSD and have to say it's lovely! Some days i eat lots, some days i eat little.

The eating a little is the bit i find difficult!!