is it possible to lose fat and gain muscle at once?

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Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Ok it seems here that some people need to remember there is a difference between muscle tone and muscle mass.

Additionally, it is most definitely possible to lose fat and gain muscle; however, as said, it may not be the most effecient way.

Im trying to gain muscle tone right now, gain a little mass as well. I am not to concerned about burning fat, but I know that I will most definitely burn it. I run everday 6 days a week (Granted I ran track in High School and hope to in College). I lift every other day (Fairly high rep), which gives the muscles time to rebuild (Though was unsure until yesterday about abs). Then afterwards I have a peanut butter sandwhich for the protein.

But most importantly, something that I am suprised no one has mentioned is DRINK LOTS OF WATER. You would how much of a difference this makes!

-Kevin
 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
anyone who answered no simply doesnt know what he/she is talking about.

explain this then...i went from a 48 to a 38 in 2 months and at the same time doubled my curl, bench went from 215 to 295, and i lost net 30 pounds and probably 40 pounds of fat while gaining muscle...all of this is in the middle of me stuffing my face constantly. i was eating healthy, sure, but i was still eating at least 3000 calories a day.

i dont believe it for even a second that you cant do both at the same time. it doesnt even make sense that you wouldnt be able to. your budy is a machine and needs fuel to work - food and fat are fuel. calories in vs calories out is a fine way to look at it, but simply saying that fails to take into account all of the parameters. most people need 1500-1700 a day just to stay alive at a normal health level. if you give that person the calories in vs calories out, then fine, they are not building muscle and probably arent losing any fat. now what about the person who eats 3500-4000 (me) and continues to lose weight while becoming stronger. i was not a weight lifting noob either as i weight lifted extensively in high school, and that wasnt even 4 years ago.

research to prove this is not necessary as it just takes a little bit of observation and work to see the results for yourself. it makes zero sense for your body to only be able to do 1 at a time. all exercise by definition is toning/strengthening muscle and you are continually burning fat.

Again, your stats make you sound like a relative beginner. Losing 40 pounds of fat is definitely an accomplishment, but now try getting down to <10% bodyfat (full abs visible), while simultaneously adding more muscle and strength. Unless you are a genetic freak or on drugs, you will find it is much more difficult. Most people's bodies simply do not prefer to be both big (200+ pounds of muscle) and lean (< 10% bodyfat).

It's easy for an overweight person who hasn't trained much (if at all) before to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. It's much more difficult for someone who has trained for several years, has already added a significant amount of muscle and dieted down to a reasonable level of bodyfat (12-15% ish) to both add muscle and lose fat at the same time.

It seems all of the people chiming in saying it is possible are using the case where an obese person manages to get down to a healthy bodyfat while gaining some strength and muscle. To me, those cases fall under the classification of "beginner", and I fully agree that in those instances, simultaneously losing fat and building muscle is possible.

I, on the other hand, am saying that for the experienced, genetically average lifter who is 200+ lbs. at a moderate level of bodyfat (12-15% or so), building muscle and losing fat at the same time is extremely difficult.

 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Ok it seems here that some people need to remember there is a difference between muscle tone and muscle mass.

Additionally, it is most definitely possible to lose fat and gain muscle; however, as said, it may not be the most effecient way.

Im trying to gain muscle tone right now, gain a little mass as well. I am not to concerned about burning fat, but I know that I will most definitely burn it. I run everday 6 days a week (Granted I ran track in High School and hope to in College). I lift every other day (Fairly high rep), which gives the muscles time to rebuild (Though was unsure until yesterday about abs). Then afterwards I have a peanut butter sandwhich for the protein.

But most importantly, something that I am suprised no one has mentioned is DRINK LOTS OF WATER. You would how much of a difference this makes!

-Kevin

A PB sandwich is a poor choice for protein. You are getting maybe 10g from that. You'd be better off with some whey protein mixed in water.


 

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Ok it seems here that some people need to remember there is a difference between muscle tone and muscle mass.

Additionally, it is most definitely possible to lose fat and gain muscle; however, as said, it may not be the most effecient way.

Im trying to gain muscle tone right now, gain a little mass as well. I am not to concerned about burning fat, but I know that I will most definitely burn it. I run everday 6 days a week (Granted I ran track in High School and hope to in College). I lift every other day (Fairly high rep), which gives the muscles time to rebuild (Though was unsure until yesterday about abs). Then afterwards I have a peanut butter sandwhich for the protein.

But most importantly, something that I am suprised no one has mentioned is DRINK LOTS OF WATER. You would how much of a difference this makes!

-Kevin

A PB sandwich is a poor choice for protein. You are getting maybe 10g from that. You'd be better off with some whey protein mixed in water.

Well yeah, but the sandwhich is also my lunch. In addition to that I am a poor college kid...

-Kevin
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
I don't have any scientific facts either, but before my wedding I lost 20 pounds and doubled my max bench press at the same time.

I was consuming 1400 calories a day at the time.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Majesty
Originally posted by: Special K
Building muscle requires eating more calories than you burn. Losing fat requires burning more calories than you consume. These two requirements are kind of at odds with each other, unfortunately.
Actually, you need protein to build muscles. Hence the very existence of the whey protein.

By reducing my calories intake and taking a very serious training (HIT or SuperSlow), in 1 year, I lost 50 pounds and gained muscles.

No sorry.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: ahurtt
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Majesty
Originally posted by: Special K
Building muscle requires eating more calories than you burn. Losing fat requires burning more calories than you consume. These two requirements are kind of at odds with each other, unfortunately.
Actually, you need protein to build muscles. Hence the very existence of the whey protein.

True, but at the end of the day you have to be eating above your maintenance level of calories to gain any weight.

No. Sorry. Your body normally uses protien to build. It normally uses carbs and then fat (in that order) for energy. However, in a pinch, assuming your body has no fat or carbs left to metabolize for energy, it CAN convert to using protien for energy. Excess calories, of any kind, get converted to fat. If your body has excess fat, it will resort to tapping into that fat as an energy source before it taps into its supply of protien. This leaves your body free to use the protien as new building blocks for new muscle cells.

Completely wrong.
Your body uses carbs then protein then fat for energy. At certain times you cna burn a higher ratio of fat then to muscle (carbs strill dominate), but that whole fat burning zone thing is a big myth.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
0
0
Originally posted by: sash1
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: sash1
Running builds leg muscle and burns fat?

You still need a surplus of calories to build ANY muscle.

so am I not correct in saying running builds leg muscle and burns fat?

eat 4 plates of food for lunch or something. run like mad. don't take the elevator, use the stairs. power walk to places instead of lumbering. since i got to purdue, i've gained muscle and weight. fat not so much. and yes, I do eat 4 plates of food. went from 135 to 145 in two months of running across campus, biking, lifting, pushups and the like.
 

SludgeFactory

Platinum Member
Sep 14, 2001
2,969
2
81
Originally posted by: mugs
I don't have any scientific facts either, but before my wedding I lost 20 pounds and doubled my max bench press at the same time.

I was consuming 1400 calories a day at the time.

Initial strength gains on a workout program aren't a reliable way of gauging how much muscle mass you may have added. Early gains are mostly due to improved neural recruitment of motor units.

This, plus shedding some fat and actually seeing musculature underneath it for the first time in a long time, is what leads a lot of people to conclude that you can effectively lose fat mass and gain significant lean mass simultaneously.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
I've given up all hope on ATOT for not posting when they have no fvcking idea what they are talking about.

Is it possible to burn fat and build muscle at the same time?

Yes, but only in certain circumstances,

-If one is a begginer (this always happens when the body adapts to weight training)
-Or on some type of anabolics
-Or have amazing genetics, which I would bet that none of the people in here have or they would have been at the mr. O contest or know the reason why.


So if it isn't possible for a normal person to burn fat and gain muscle, then why does everyone seem to think it is?
-Many begginers or guys who do it off and on (same situation) think it is possible when in fact if they stuck with it they would suddenly see a dip in their results, which is not a plateu, it is a lack of diet for either one. For building muscle once your body adapts (the specifics are not known scientifically, but most think it is due to the way the body first repsonds to stress and trama) you cannot continue to gain muslce with a calorie deficet diet. For fat burning your body slows its matabolism to adapt to the calorie low diet. While this can be subsided by eating more frequently but less, eventually it becomes hard to burn fat at the rate you used to, especailly without exercise.
Also when you first start off you can make strength gains because your CNS (Central nervous system) is being trained and consistantly becomes more efficient when you start lifting, so your msucles might not be getting stronger but the weight still goes up.
-Teenagers who have no idea what they are talking about and experience this: Teenage bodies have enough hormones in them that if they used AAS it would almost be pointless as they have high enough test levels to build muscle and lose fat and build strength if not muscle. Around 20-22 their test levels drop off to normal and then they are like the rest of us.
-People confusing muscle tone for muscle gain. Measurements, strength gains people. Not I think I look jacked. Sure you might have some veins now and you can see your msucle, but you probably had bigger muscles before and were stronger. If you find that you are getting more toned and the weight is going up, see my CNS note above, that's why. Everytime I go on a cutting cycle I always get comments from people by how bigger and stronger I am getting, when in fact I am weaker and my size is down, but people always confuse msucle definition for strength because most of the time they do go hand in hand with atheletes and those who lift compared to the normal average joe who does not.


KarenMarie, that is awesome!!! Congrats on getting there, but your clothes fitting better but not losing weight is due to a better diet, and your body processing your energy differently and retaining more water in your muscles and digestive tract. Not to mention your once "flabby" (no offense just trying to be descriptive, probably not accurate) muscle tightening and becoming more dense and thus drawing more into your body.

Also I laugh at whoever blatenly lied at being a bber for 6 years and claims that he knows it is possible. LOL, be quiet kiddo.

And for those of you suggesting to go to bb.com to see that they are right, I in fact hope you heed your own fake advice and go there or t-nation or wannabebig.com and post, because you will get laughed at.

There is a lot more to it but those are the basics. If you want to gain muscle make sure you have an acceptable bf% (not too high or you might want to cut first) and eat a calorie surplus diet and you will see great results by eating clean, but eating a lot. Want to lose fat, cut calories and cardio for sure, but don't expect to keep strength gains. I mean FFS people look at some of the people you muight have heard of, lets say Ronnie Coleman or Jay Cutler, they both probably have some of the best genetics in the world for bbing and they still lose size and strength when they cut before compeitions, and that's with anabolics, and I think they know more about their bodies then some fake "6 year vet bber" posting from his basement.


Sorry for being so harsh, but seeing completely wrong information on something that continues to perpertuate a myth or common misbelief hits a spot. ;) :p :)

:D
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: SludgeFactory
Originally posted by: mugs
I don't have any scientific facts either, but before my wedding I lost 20 pounds and doubled my max bench press at the same time.

I was consuming 1400 calories a day at the time.

Initial strength gains on a workout program aren't a reliable way of gauging how much muscle mass you may have added. Early gains are mostly due to improved neural recruitment of motor units.

This, plus shedding some fat and actually seeing musculature underneath it for the first time in a long time, is what leads a lot of people to conclude that you can effectively lose fat mass and gain significant lean mass simultaneously.

:thumbsup:
 

Polish3d

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2005
5,500
0
0
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: ahurtt
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Majesty
Originally posted by: Special K
Building muscle requires eating more calories than you burn. Losing fat requires burning more calories than you consume. These two requirements are kind of at odds with each other, unfortunately.
Actually, you need protein to build muscles. Hence the very existence of the whey protein.

True, but at the end of the day you have to be eating above your maintenance level of calories to gain any weight.

No. Sorry. Your body normally uses protien to build. It normally uses carbs and then fat (in that order) for energy. However, in a pinch, assuming your body has no fat or carbs left to metabolize for energy, it CAN convert to using protien for energy. Excess calories, of any kind, get converted to fat. If your body has excess fat, it will resort to tapping into that fat as an energy source before it taps into its supply of protien. This leaves your body free to use the protien as new building blocks for new muscle cells.

Completely wrong.
Your body uses carbs then protein then fat for energy. At certain times you cna burn a higher ratio of fat then to muscle (carbs strill dominate), but that whole fat burning zone thing is a big myth.


It depends ***A LOT*** on what type of activity you're engaged in, your hormone levels: (Insulin, cortisol, testosterone), etcetera. There is no absolute on this one
 

Polish3d

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2005
5,500
0
0
Running (not sprinting but running) is a pretty (if not extremely) poor way to build muscle actually.

To better build the muscles in the legs and calf, do squats and such, no more than 15 - 20 repetitions at a weight that challenges you to make that.

Long distance runners eat a lot, and are not very muscular at all compared to other types of trainees. Running releases cortisol like crazy after awhile which tends to break down protein (ie, muscle) quite ravenously.

Different types of activity can release anabolic "muscle building" hormones (growth hormone, testosterone, insulin-like growth-factor 1, insulin) whereas other types of activity can release CATABOLIC "muscle eating/breakdown" hormones (such as cortisol, the big one) are released by other types of activity.

Low (4-15) rep weight training, sprinting are generally ANABOLIC
Running is eventually pretty CATABOLIC


The goal of the bodybuilder is to use the gym to create the right type of ANABOLIC stimulus in the body, and then he spends the remainder of the day and night attempting to maximize the ANABOLIC environment in his body, and minimize the CATABOLIC forces simultaneously.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Frackal
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: ahurtt
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Majesty
Originally posted by: Special K
Building muscle requires eating more calories than you burn. Losing fat requires burning more calories than you consume. These two requirements are kind of at odds with each other, unfortunately.
Actually, you need protein to build muscles. Hence the very existence of the whey protein.

True, but at the end of the day you have to be eating above your maintenance level of calories to gain any weight.

No. Sorry. Your body normally uses protien to build. It normally uses carbs and then fat (in that order) for energy. However, in a pinch, assuming your body has no fat or carbs left to metabolize for energy, it CAN convert to using protien for energy. Excess calories, of any kind, get converted to fat. If your body has excess fat, it will resort to tapping into that fat as an energy source before it taps into its supply of protien. This leaves your body free to use the protien as new building blocks for new muscle cells.

Completely wrong.
Your body uses carbs then protein then fat for energy. At certain times you cna burn a higher ratio of fat then to muscle (carbs strill dominate), but that whole fat burning zone thing is a big myth.


It depends ***A LOT*** on what type of activity you're engaged in, your hormone levels: (Insulin, cortisol, testosterone), etcetera. There is no absolute on this one

No, the body always burns carbs then muscle then fat. You find me someone otherwise and we can make a millions of dollars by having his genome decoded and find what gene causes it and maybe we can even win the noble prize. oh wait, that would mean we would have to find someone who evolved past todays humans. Good Luck, I'll pay you well.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek


Well yeah, but the sandwhich is also my lunch. In addition to that I am a poor college kid...

-Kevin

Have you considered tuna packs? They are around a buck at walmart. You merely tear open the package and dig in with a spoon. The small ones have about 20g of protein and they keep forever.
 

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: Frackal
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: ahurtt
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: Majesty
Originally posted by: Special K
Building muscle requires eating more calories than you burn. Losing fat requires burning more calories than you consume. These two requirements are kind of at odds with each other, unfortunately.
Actually, you need protein to build muscles. Hence the very existence of the whey protein.

True, but at the end of the day you have to be eating above your maintenance level of calories to gain any weight.

No. Sorry. Your body normally uses protien to build. It normally uses carbs and then fat (in that order) for energy. However, in a pinch, assuming your body has no fat or carbs left to metabolize for energy, it CAN convert to using protien for energy. Excess calories, of any kind, get converted to fat. If your body has excess fat, it will resort to tapping into that fat as an energy source before it taps into its supply of protien. This leaves your body free to use the protien as new building blocks for new muscle cells.

Completely wrong.
Your body uses carbs then protein then fat for energy. At certain times you cna burn a higher ratio of fat then to muscle (carbs strill dominate), but that whole fat burning zone thing is a big myth.


It depends ***A LOT*** on what type of activity you're engaged in, your hormone levels: (Insulin, cortisol, testosterone), etcetera. There is no absolute on this one

No, the body always burns carbs then muscle then fat. You find me someone otherwise and we can make a millions of dollars by having his genome decoded and find what gene causes it and maybe we can even win the noble prize. oh wait, that would mean we would have to find someone who evolved past todays humans. Good Luck, I'll pay you well.

nitpick - carbs, then protein, then fat. All protein is not muscle. /nitpick

There are also exceptions or caveats depending on the situation, including many instances when more than one are being used.

Then there's differences between organs... Skeletal muscle at rest tend to use fat, but exercising skeletal muscles prefer carbs. The heart uses a lot of fatty acids. The brain tends to use glucose almost exclusively.

Generally speaking, there's a preference in cells to use amino acids for protein synthesis rather than energy, but this can vary significantly with the energy state (ATP vs AMP/ADP levels) of the cell.
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
No, the body always burns carbs then muscle then fat. You find me someone otherwise and we can make a millions of dollars by having his genome decoded and find what gene causes it and maybe we can even win the noble prize. oh wait, that would mean we would have to find someone who evolved past todays humans. Good Luck, I'll pay you well.

You said your burn carbs, then muscle, then fat, but at what point are we talking about? Because I know it is possible to lose fat without being completely out of muscle :) Just a little confused on that order, and at what times do you burn your fat off instead of muscle?
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
It's sort of a yes or no.

Yes you can get stronger and lose fat. Especially if new to training.

However, your max lifts will go down quite a bit on a cutting diet. Say I can do 100lb dumbbells for 6-8 reps while bulking...about a week after I cut my food intake down, I may only be able to get 2-4 reps out of that or even have to drop weight to 90-95lbs.

When most in the scene are talking muscle though, they are talking mass. So YMMV on what you are looking for.

In general, most people are better off cutting first, then adding muscle. Most will not do what it takes to put on serious mass anyway. If your bodyfat is already in the low teens as a male and you are not defined enough for your personal wants then no about of cutting will help.

You best bet will come from a 3 day a week program consisting of nothing more than the basics: bench press, squats, deadlifts....throwing power cleans in there is a good idea, but really optional at the starting point. If you want to throw a set of curls or something in feel free but know you are going to gain mass everywhere on your body sticking to the basics in the beginning. After 6-12 months of that and serious eating and sleeping, you should now be able to tell where you need work and where you are may be over-developing.

This is assuming you want to just get big and strong looking....various activities may preclude this from being your goal...but early power lifting can help even light weight gymnasts later on.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: engineereeyore
Just like KarenMarie, I don't have scientific evidence, but I worked out 3 days a week for a year and never lost more than 5 pounds from the beginning of the year to the end of it. Some peoples bodies may naturally replace fat with muscle. My legs and arms were never so developed, but my weight was the same almost. Just that stinking gut that won't go away. :|

Gut is the last to leave for men...fat comes on love handles, front abs then kidney area...then the rest of the body for most men....it leaves in reverse order.

I started at 220.8 and 34% body fat in April...I dropped as low as 24% and 197lbs, in Sept my best weight was still 26% body fat and 206 pounds. I am 5'10" and was wearing size 34" jeans loosely. My mid section contributed that fat percent.

However, most said my Tanita scale is probably too conservative and to them 'looked' more 18-20% BF. I get massive though and look my best at about 15%. At that weight I will have defined abs, extremely ripped legs, arms and shoulders. My back and chest will be defined and swollen looking which IMHO looks better than ripped there. I would rather my legs and arms carried a little more fat on them at the same time but it doesn't happen. I fit into size 32 jeans at that weight loosely...dipping below 10% I go into size 29 jeans and start looking too veiny for anyone but a bodybuilder to like.

Thing that sucks is I blew out my right elbow when I dropped a 2.5 gallon water and tried to catch it. I have taken a month off and my body is suffering for it. Back up to about 209 and 27-30% body fat....size 34 is tight. One more week of rest then it's either cortizone injections or painkillers and ice and probably have to live with it. I will be seeing a sports doctor at that point.
 

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
3,248
1
81
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: engineereeyore
Just like KarenMarie, I don't have scientific evidence, but I worked out 3 days a week for a year and never lost more than 5 pounds from the beginning of the year to the end of it. Some peoples bodies may naturally replace fat with muscle. My legs and arms were never so developed, but my weight was the same almost. Just that stinking gut that won't go away. :|

Gut is the last to leave for men...fat comes on love handles, front abs then kidney area...then the rest of the body for most men....it leaves in reverse order.

I started at 220.8 and 34% body fat in April...I dropped as low as 24% and 197lbs, in Sept my best weight was still 26% body fat and 206 pounds. I am 5'10" and was wearing size 34" jeans loosely. My mid section contributed that fat percent.

However, most said my Tanita scale is probably too conservative and to them 'looked' more 18-20% BF. I get massive though and look my best at about 15%. At that weight I will have defined abs, extremely ripped legs, arms and shoulders. My back and chest will be defined and swollen looking which IMHO looks better than ripped there. I would rather my legs and arms carried a little more fat on them at the same time but it doesn't happen. I fit into size 32 jeans at that weight loosely...dipping below 10% I go into size 29 jeans and start looking too veiny for anyone but a bodybuilder to like.

Thing that sucks is I blew out my right elbow when I dropped a 2.5 gallon water and tried to catch it. I have taken a month off and my body is suffering for it. Back up to about 209 and 27-30% body fat....size 34 is tight. One more week of rest then it's either cortizone injections or painkillers and ice and probably have to live with it. I will be seeing a sports doctor at that point.

How do you measure your body fat %?
 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Originally posted by: alkemyst
It's sort of a yes or no.

Yes you can get stronger and lose fat. Especially if new to training.

However, your max lifts will go down quite a bit on a cutting diet. Say I can do 100lb dumbbells for 6-8 reps while bulking...about a week after I cut my food intake down, I may only be able to get 2-4 reps out of that or even have to drop weight to 90-95lbs.

When most in the scene are talking muscle though, they are talking mass. So YMMV on what you are looking for.

In general, most people are better off cutting first, then adding muscle. Most will not do what it takes to put on serious mass anyway. If your bodyfat is already in the low teens as a male and you are not defined enough for your personal wants then no about of cutting will help.
You best bet will come from a 3 day a week program consisting of nothing more than the basics: bench press, squats, deadlifts....throwing power cleans in there is a good idea, but really optional at the starting point. If you want to throw a set of curls or something in feel free but know you are going to gain mass everywhere on your body sticking to the basics in the beginning. After 6-12 months of that and serious eating and sleeping, you should now be able to tell where you need work and where you are may be over-developing.

This is assuming you want to just get big and strong looking....various activities may preclude this from being your goal...but early power lifting can help even light weight gymnasts later on.

Why would you say the part I have bolded? I have been cutting for a few months now trying to get <10% bf. I am probably at about 12-13% right now. Why would you say I can't get any lower?

 

xtknight

Elite Member
Oct 15, 2004
12,974
0
71
Yes. Eat more protein, less sugar, and run like hell. That's basically what I'm trying to do right now and AFAICT it's working, slowly...

I'm pretty sure I'm not losing muscle by treadmilling, and I am losing fat. Since I'm stressing legs (as well as cardiovascular system), I am also building muscle in them. You build muscle in your heart when you run, and you lose fat if you don't eat to make up for it.

Scientific facts? I don't know, I'm not a scientist...

If you have a healthy diet (more protein, less sugar) and you get enough sleep you can probably do it without killing yourself. Now if only I could meet those two requirements better...

You do need to eat the right stuff. If you eat just the right carbs to give you energy but not make you gain a whole lot of fat, then you're all set. I find that eating 350 calories of apricots doesn't make me gain anything and it gives me a ton of energy. If you eat 350 calories of chips, you won't have as much energy and you'll just get fatter.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: dxkj
No, the body always burns carbs then muscle then fat. You find me someone otherwise and we can make a millions of dollars by having his genome decoded and find what gene causes it and maybe we can even win the noble prize. oh wait, that would mean we would have to find someone who evolved past todays humans. Good Luck, I'll pay you well.

You said your burn carbs, then muscle, then fat, but at what point are we talking about? Because I know it is possible to lose fat without being completely out of muscle :) Just a little confused on that order, and at what times do you burn your fat off instead of muscle?

It's all about ratios and yes it gets pretty complicated with different muscle types and diets. but the basic order is above, hence why you cannot lose a signifigant amount of fat and build a lot of muscle, but why you can lose fat and lose little muscle if cutting is done over a long period of time.