Fat Loss vs. Muscle Gain

[Marashino]

I wanted some opinions on what route to go towards first. My long term goal is to both lose weight and gain muscle, though I'm not sure which to work on first. Would it make more sense to build muscle or work on fat loss initially? I know more muscle means more calories burned, so part of me thinks I should continue weight training and not stress so much on cardio. The other part of me wants to up cardio in order to slim down faster. I'm just not sure which route is better. I suppose it may depend on my bf %, but I'm really not sure on what that number is.

Help?
Much appreciated.

[goalorientgirl]

Building more muscle will help you burn fat later, but it all depends on how you feel about yourself now, what you really want to look like, and your current stats. If you're a little overweight and unhappy about it, it's okay to cut (diet/weights/possible cardio) before you bulk (lots of food and heavy weights). If you're underweight but a little jiggly, you should bulk and then consider cutting later. If you don't mind holding onto excess body fat for awhile (assuming you aren't obese), bulking is a good choice.

[kimm4]

I wanted some opinions on what route to go towards first. My long term goal is to both lose weight and gain muscle, though I'm not sure which to work on first. Would it make more sense to build muscle or work on fat loss initially? I know more muscle means more calories burned, so part of me thinks I should continue weight training and not stress so much on cardio. The other part of me wants to up cardio in order to slim down faster. I'm just not sure which route is better. I suppose it may depend on my bf %, but I'm really not sure on what that number is.

Help?
Much appreciated.

Cardio doesn't slim you down, it always goes back to your diet. You have to be eating the right amount of calories to support your goal.

Start here:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703921

Along with getting yourself started in a solid program and being consistent:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703921

[andrerox80]

Cardio doesn't slim you down, it always goes back to your diet. You have to be eating the right amount of calories to support your goal.

Start here:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703921

Along with getting yourself started in a solid program and being consistent:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703921

this. and your stats are impt in knowing if you should even be contemplating a cut right now.

[Marashino]

Already working on the diet portion and have been eating within or slightly below maintenance.

As far as stats go I'm 5'5
fluctuate between 136-140 pounds...think I'm at 140 though right now pretty consistently. I've been on a 3 day split w/ a fairly active lifestyle. (I waitress so I spend a good 4-8 hours a day speed walking around.) Also try to walk to and from work as much as possible.

again not sure on measurements or bf%
(err...didn't realize I couldn't post pictures yet...blah)

[goalorientgirl]

again not sure on measurements or bf%
(err...didn't realize I couldn't post pictures yet...blah)

You can upload them as attachments. Don't worry about not knowing your actualy body fat percentage, most people have absolutely no clue and it doesn't change their ability to plan a workout. At your stats, if you're unhappy with the amount of fat you have, you can cut (and if you're already eating below maintenance, it sounds like you've already started).

[Marashino]

You can upload them as attachments. Don't worry about not knowing your actualy body fat percentage, most people have absolutely no clue and it doesn't change their ability to plan a workout. At your stats, if you're unhappy with the amount of fat you have, you can cut (and if you're already eating below maintenance, it sounds like you've already started).

Thanks for the advice. :)

this is kinda where I'm starting at though(sorry for bad pictures)
and sorry for the noob advice requests...pretty new to this.

[oregonchick76]

Thanks for the advice. :)

this is kinda where I'm starting at though(sorry for bad pictures)
and sorry for the noob advice requests...pretty new to this.

Personally, looking at your pics, I'd say go for gaining muscle first. I started with a bulk and I was at a much higher bf than you are. Bulking is more fun too :-)

Losing fat is so much easier when you've been eating above maintenance and lifting heavy. I don't know why, it just seems to be that way.

[mommyof5boys]

not that i know much about bulking and cutting but i wouldn't go with cutting as you already look good the size you are...

[thedogdidit]

Personally, I always advocate for recomp where possible. And it seems it would be a good option for you.

It might be a bit slower than doing a cut/bulk (or bulk/cut) cycle, but it just seems to make sense especially for a newbie to weight training.

[birdiefu]

Thanks for the advice. :)

this is kinda where I'm starting at though(sorry for bad pictures)
and sorry for the noob advice requests...pretty new to this.

Bulk. Start out at 250 over maintenance, get on a good heavy lifting program like Starting Strength, and ignore the scale for a few months. You will be pleased with the results, moreso after you go on a cut after your bulk.

I'm at a higher weight but lower BF% and much more defined after my 8 month bulk and subsequent cut than before I started bulking and much happier with my body. Trust in the bulk.

ETA: If you are concerned about bulking while you want a summer bod, just do a recomp (maintenance cals) until the summer starts to end, then bulk. I know how vanity can come into play, I myself really should resume my bulk right now, but will just be recomping till mid-late August so I can still look lean for the pool (I get bloaty bulking).

[Marashino]

Feel terribly stupid asking this...but what is recomp?

[goalorientgirl]

Feel terribly stupid asking this...but what is recomp?

A "recomp" (recomposition) is where you lose body fat and gain muscle at the same time. You do this by eating around maintenance and lifting heavy.

[thepowerwithin]

Feel terribly stupid asking this...but what is recomp?

Body recomposition is changing the composition of your body; lowering body fat while building lean body mass, done while eating maintenance calories and, of course, lifting.

[Marashino]

Ah, kind of what I'm looking to do then
awesome, I guess I should do some research :) thank you

[thedogdidit]

Ah, kind of what I'm looking to do then
awesome, I guess I should do some research :) thank you

Check out Rowyn's journal ....


eta: link http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=129532623

[OneDayASaint]

I waited tables for years! And you do get a bit of a workout - I gained a few pounds when I got a desk job. And don't forget you DO get some lifting in at work as well! (Sometimes heavy!)

I do want to say I admire your effort. I know when I waited tables I was a total bum when I wasn't working. Sometimes I'd play hacky sack, but that's about it.

[greesemuunkie]

Building more muscle will help you burn fat later, but it all depends on how you feel about yourself now, what you really want to look like, and your current stats. If you're a little overweight and unhappy about it, it's okay to cut (diet/weights/possible cardio) before you bulk (lots of food and heavy weights). If you're underweight but a little jiggly, you should bulk and then consider cutting later. If you don't mind holding onto excess body fat for awhile (assuming you aren't obese), bulking is a good choice.

I like this answer. :)

[SuperRichCoco]

what if I want to cut based on the top but maintain/increase muscle tone on the bottom? sorry OP I figured it was somewhat relevant...