Possible to build muscle while cutting fat?

[Gautama2]

I'm about 145 pounds, 5'9", 16 years old. I'd say I'm probably 16-18% body fat ( I was tested at 18% via electrical current last year), and I'm looking to get this down to 10%.

So far, I've cut fried foods completely and I've been drinking only milk, water, and V8 since the start of the year.

I plan to consume about 2000 calories a day, I think with my high metabolism at this age combined with my regular workouts this should put me at a calorie deficit.

Can I still build muscle while at a caloric deficit? Would it be best to focus on building muscle and then cut?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Your best bet is to focus on one goal at a time. At your current bf I'd say cut first and then go on a bulking cycle.

 

[Deeko]

Its possible to build strength - but you can't really bulk while you're cutting. During my last cut, I dropped 15 pounds, but gained strength in all the major lifts. So you can still gain strength - but you will look smaller because you're losing fat.

However, as far as focusing on one - you should be doing the same lifts while you're cutting as when you're bulking - big lifts with heavy weights/low reps. So monitor your calories, keep the protein intake high, and lift heavy - you'll lose fat, and you may gain strength too - but that's not a guarantee.

Cutting foods entirely? Seems like a pretty bad idea to me. You won't be getting nearly enough protein to properly lose fat OR gain strength/maintain muscle.

 

[Gautama2]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Cutting foods entirely? Seems like a pretty bad idea to me. You won't be getting nearly enough protein to properly lose fat OR gain strength/maintain muscle.

I think you misunderstood; I'm still eating foods, just not fried foods, and the only drinks I have are low-calorie low-sugar drinks.

 

[Deeko]

hahaha it was very late when I posted that. Ok. Not eating fried foods is a good thing.

 

[presidentender]

It's much easier to accomplish one or the other than it is to accomplish both. You seem more concerned with cutting, so that's what you should focus on first, using resistance training to minimize your strength loss.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: presidentender
It's much easier to accomplish one or the other than it is to accomplish both. You seem more concerned with cutting, so that's what you should focus on first, using resistance training to minimize your strength loss.

Strength AND muscle loss. Just wanted to make it clear that if you aren't on a resistance training program while cutting, you will 100% guaranteed lose muscle.