****Official 2013 Weight Loss Challenge****

[candyman]

Never noticed this thread, probably to late to join in but I just started today. 180 lbs, mostly gut. I'd like to get down to 170 but replace the gut with muscle.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by candyman

Never noticed this thread, probably to late to join in but I just started today. 180 lbs, mostly gut. I'd like to get down to 170 but replace the gut with muscle.

What do you mean by 'replace the gut with muscle'? Losing fat and building new muscle at the same time is almost impossible unless you are either a beginner to lifting, or have assistance from drugs. It's a pretty simple formula, calories in vs calories out. Calories in < calories out, you lose weight, and vice versa. The one constant in your diet needs to be protein. The other macros you adjust depending on how active you are. Sedentary desk job, not much lifting, then lower the carbs and up the dietary fat. If you work out and lift a lot, lower the fat and increase carbs as your body cannot build new muscle in the absence of insulin. Its the body's most anabolic hormone next to testosterone and to avoid it while lifting is reeruned.

[candyman]

Originally Posted by Aspengc8

What do you mean by 'replace the gut with muscle'? Losing fat and building new muscle at the same time is almost impossible unless you are either a beginner to lifting, or have assistance from drugs. It's a pretty simple formula, calories in vs calories out. Calories in < calories out, you lose weight, and vice versa. The one constant in your diet needs to be protein. The other macros you adjust depending on how active you are. Sedentary desk job, not much lifting, then lower the carbs and up the dietary fat. If you work out and lift a lot, lower the fat and increase carbs as your body cannot build new muscle in the absence of insulin. Its the body's most anabolic hormone next to testosterone and to avoid it while lifting is reeruned.

So you're saying cardio one day, weights the next won't make my gut smaller while building my arms and chest? I've already done this routine in the past and that's exactly what happened. I think you're over thinking this.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by candyman

So you're saying cardio one day, weights the next won't make my gut smaller while building my arms and chest? I've already done this routine in the past and that's exactly what happened. I think you're over thinking this.

It is called science and he is exactly right. What you see as "building" your chest/arms, it actually the different look of your muscle with less fat on them. Muscle naturally look bigger with less fat on them. Muscle is built in a calorie surplus. If you are losing weight and in a calorie deficit, you are not really building any real amount of muscle at that time. Only way that you can lose fat and build muscle at the same time is steroids.

[candyman]

Originally Posted by lewdog

It is called science and he is exactly right. What you see as "building" your chest/arms, it actually the different look of your muscle with less fat on them. Muscle naturally look bigger with less fat on them. Muscle is built in a calorie surplus. If you are losing weight and in a calorie deficit, you are not really building any real amount of muscle at that time. Only way that you can lose fat and build muscle at the same time is steroids.

Then how do you explain my ability to do more reps and my increased bench max?

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by candyman

Then how do you explain my ability to do more reps and my increased bench max?

Strength has very little to do with muscle and is more about neuronal firing patterns for the movement you practice every time you hit the gym. I have been gaining strength on squats, deads and bench for the past 6 months and haven't gained a pound because I am not eating to gain muscle, which takes a calorie surplus.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by candyman

Then how do you explain my ability to do more reps and my increased bench max?

And I can't tell if you are here to get help from those who know or if you already know it all? It shouldn't surprise you that there are a few here who have degrees in this sort of field, practice what we preach and even compete in weighlifting competitions. I am not here to toot my own horn but to really clear up so many myths that the fitness "industry" has told to make a quick buck. It really is simpler than anyone really thinks.

I would gladly be of assistance to anyone on this board who is here to get serious about getting in shape, stronger, leaner or anything in between.

[candyman]

Originally Posted by lewdog

And I can't tell if you are here to get help from those who know or if you already know it all?

Not tryying to come off that way, just assumed when I workout and my arms get bigger around/bench increases that I must be gaining muscle. So it's not possible to lose your gut and build your arms/chest at the same time? Because my diet, cardio every other day, and weights on the other days have equated to that for the last few years. I let myself go all winter every year, arms get smaller, chest gets flatter, gut gets bigger...and weight goes up.