Question: Fat loss vs. Muscle Gainn

S

sldiver

0
I know this is a common question, but I am confused....


From what I have been reading, I know you cant gain muscle (only retain it) while you are trying to lose fat. So here is my question.
When in my weight loss do I start trying to gain muscle? I have about 18-20 pounds to lose. I currently weigh 144 and want to get to about 125 or so. I am 5'3". I started out at 192 about 1 year ago. I went back up to 148, and have been able to lose 4 pounds, to me at 144. I am ready to get serious and want to lose those last pounds, just in time for swimsuit season. We go camping alot and I want to be comfortable in a swimsuit this year.

Soooo,

Do I diet and excercise until most is lost, then start eating like I want to tone and build a little muscle, or do I diet and excercise (just trying to maintain what little muscle I have) until I get down to where I want to be. Then start eating to build muscle....

I am a little confused on the subject and would appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance!!
 
There is no set standard as to when you do one or the other. Take me for instance. I will go through periods of bulking and cutting. I usually have an idea of what weight I want to hit before I turn the cycle around but the view I see in the mirror plays more of a role in the direction I head.

I am currently bulking. I had an idea that I would bulk until I reached 210 lbs. However, I think I will gain too much fat if I bulk to that point, now that I am up around 200. Enough definition has been lost. I certainly gained a lot of muscle, but along with it, has come fat. So, a few more lbs, and I will probably start systematically reducing my caloric intake until I am in a deficit eventually.

At that point, the cycle is reversed. I will try and lose as much of the newly formed fat and retain as much of the newly formed muscle as possible. I will diet down until I reach a comfortable body fat level for summer. Once summer months wind down, I will work my caloric intake back up to a bulk and start the cycle over. The idea is to consistently pack on more muscle each bulk than the previous bulk, and squeeze in cuts in between to control fat gain.

That is my personal plan of attack.

For you, and anyone for that matter..... I almost always recommend losing the fat first. Once you are comfortable enough with your body to be will to accept some fat gain, then, and only then can you work your way back into a caloric surplus and start trying to pack on some muscle.

Follow me?
 
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