Dieting and muscle gain

**Honic** · 08-12-2004, 03:59 PM

Ok, I know that trying to lose fat and gain a nice amount of muscle are opposite goals. One requires a negative calorie result, the other a positive. I've also read that you can lose weight on almost any kind of diet, but you will also lose lean muscle if your diet is of the wrong type.

If you are dieting to lose weight (on a somewhat healthy plan), and workout 4 days a week, and you notice muscle increase and muscle growth, is it still possible that you are losing lean muscle mass? I hope I'm not making this too confusing.

Basically, I'm trying to watch what I eat but I'm not going to the lengths of eating only oatmeal, eggs and bucket loads of veggies. I'm concerned about the idea of losing lean muscle mass, but so far I'm only seeing strength increases and more muscle growth. Am I missing something? I've lost about 47 LBS so far and going strong, but I need to know what to look for if my diet is costing me elsewhere.

Thanks,

H

**SPIKE1257** · 08-12-2004, 04:27 PM

If you are losing body fat and you see an increase in muscle and strength, don't question it. Just ride it out, keep going. It sounds like you are doing everything right, in fact you are one of those genetically gifted freaks. Enjoy the ride.

**atherjen** · 08-12-2004, 05:15 PM

if your noticing muscle gain and strength increase while leaning down, then I wouldnt be concerned with the loss of LBM.

Keep in mind that you may not actually be gaining muscle, but rather the lower bodyfat makes muscles look more defined and bigger.

btw, congrads on the 47lb weight loss.

**SPIKE1257** · 08-12-2004, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by atherjen

Keep in mind that you may not actually be gaining muscle, but rather the lower bodyfat makes muscles look more defined and bigger.

btw, congrads on the 47lb weight loss.

The lower body fat could be the reason for looking bigger, but that wouldn't have anything to do with the increase in strength..

**atherjen** · 08-12-2004, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by SPIKE1257

The lower body fat could be the reason for looking bigger, but that wouldn't have anything to do with the increase in strength..

no, but strength increase does not mean muscle gain.

**madden player** · 08-13-2004, 12:49 PM

47 lbs is a lot of weight...what percentage of your total bodyweight did you lose??...I can only assume you are doing everything right if you are getting stronger and losing all that weight at the same time...

Atherjen said that strenght increases do not always mean increases in LBM and this is true. Powerlifters/Olympic lifters can stay in the same weight class their whole competitive career and get stronger with no change in body weight or body composition.

Like Spike said enjoy it...it is almost impossible to achieve those kind of results. You asked for something to look for if you diet is costing you elsewhere the only thing I could tell you is to watch for decreases in strenght. Eventually your gains in strength should slow done but a decrease in strength could mean that your diet could use some adjusting.

**Honic** · 08-13-2004, 01:45 PM

Everyone,

Thanks for your replies on this. I also wanted to clarify a point from my previous post. My diet is pretty healthy (MUCH healthier than what it used to be), just not an extreme weight-loss / power-building diet. I have a high intake of protein, creatine, l-glutamine, salads, and lean meats. I have "healthy" granola bars and popcorn cakes. I've just noticed that there are people on here that have diets so extreme that I couldn't follow it for long without getting burn out.

I keeping a close eye on my strength, and I keep a spreadsheet with my measurements, weight and pants size

This is helping me to stay focused and also helps me look for any patterns or trends. If I see any noticeable changes, believe me you'll see posts with me screaming like a little girl

Thanks again!

H

Stats:

Hight: 6' 1ish
Weight: 278
BMI: ???
Percent BF: ???
current Bench: 205 x 2

**Vieope** · 08-13-2004, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Honic

and you notice muscle increase and muscle growth, is it still possible that you are losing lean muscle mass?

You cannot decrease something that you are increasing.

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