Current Events > do i have to lose all my excess fat before i start weight training for muscle?

(+) Yeah! (+)

im pretty big, but its mostly fat. i wanna stay the same size, but replace it with muscle.

ive lost weight before, but it was all cardio and diet so i was pretty skinny. i dont want to be that skinny again.

can i just start a weight training regime now?

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Yes. In fact, that's the most optimal way to go.

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Yeah go ahead just dont go too hard too fast

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replacing fat with the same weight of muscle at the same time is impossible if thats what you mean...

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Yes unless you want to look like Jeff Cobb.

There's a word for skinnyfat, there should be a word for musclefat. I know among gay men they're called bears, but that also means they're hairy.

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BuckVanHammer posted...

replacing fat with the same weight of muscle at the same time is impossible if thats what you mean...

i mean, not really replacement. i just want to stay the same size.

at my smallest, i was a size medium/small tshirt, pants size 30-32ish. i dont want that

right now im size large, 34 pants size. i like this size. but i want muscle now.

so im wondering if i need to go back to that small size, then bulk up, or just start working out now and stay the same size?

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It will mainly come down to diet but you should be lifting. It will make you more efficient at burning fat and will expedite body recomposition. Eat well, move as much as possible, and lift.

Cut and then bulk

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Feline_Heart posted...

Cut and then bulk

I think his issue is conflating "diet and cardio" with cut and "weight training" with bulk, when in reality he should be weight training in either phase. It makes both processes way more efficient.

_RETS_ posted...

I think his issue is conflating "diet and cardio" with cut and "weight training" with bulk, when in reality he should be weight training in either phase. It makes both processes way more efficient.

Ah, good point. I always had the idea that weight training won't do anything if you're not eating enough. So that's not true?

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TheBlueMonk_ posted...

Ah, good point. I always had the idea that weight training won't do anything if you're not eating enough. So that's not true?

No, that's not true at all. While it will be hard to gain any serious muscle with a calorie deficit, there are a ton of beneficial adaptations brought on by lifting. Strength (of muscle, ligaments, connective tissue, bones, etc) neurological efficiency, coordination, better efficiency with natural patterns of movement (squatting, pushing, pulling, hip hinging, rotating, etc) and many others.

It also makes body recomposition a lot easier. Even if you don't build much muscle on a but, you want to give your boy a reason to at least maintain the muscle it has. You do that through frequent use and lifting is the most direct way to do that.

Flockaveli posted...

Yes unless you want to look like Jeff Cobb.

There's a word for skinnyfat, there should be a word for musclefat. I know among gay men they're called bears, but that also means they're hairy.

Fuscular. That's what I am

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Depends. If you are new you can recomp pretty easy. If you are an experienced lifter with a fair amount of muscle already youll need to cut and clean bulk to optimize lean growth.

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The best way to lose weight is to build muscle, so I'd say just start working out but also eat less than you do atm. You'll still gain some muscle because your body will use your excess fat for calories

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