Can I maintain weight and still build muscle?

[spiketronic]

I've dieted, exercised and lifted myself to a weight where I look good (185 down to 168) and bought a whole new wardrobe of clothes. I still want to gain a little more muscle mass and improve my definition, but I'm afraid to eat more because at my age (65) the weight might tend to go to my waist. Don't know what my body fat is, but if I work hard and stay at this weight (I've been super motivated for a year now) will I be able to gain muscle? Or do I need to eat more to make gains?

[Keltron]

How do you expect to gain muscle (which is an increase in the amount of space you take up) without weighing more?

[Brackneyc]

How do you expect to gain muscle (which is an increase in the amount of space you take up) without weighing more?

I am going to say, magic. Final answer.

[discdoggie]

I get you don't want to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Well, no I don't. I love shopping for clothes when I like how I look. It's when I'm a fatass that it's a less pleasurable activity.

Who cares what you weigh? If you recomposition your body by shedding even more fat and gaining some lean mass, you may weigh a few pounds more...but so what? Your clothes will still fit; they'll look better actually.

[HairyScandinavian]

I've been waiting for a good opportunity to ask a question and this seems like a good thread.

Can one not burn 400 calories (fat hopefully?) with an hour of cardio in a day and then eat at a 400 calorie surplus over the rest of the 23 hours and make some progress?

[Brackneyc]

I've been waiting for a good opportunity to ask a question and this seems like a good thread.

Can one not burn 400 calories (fat hopefully?) with an hour of cardio in a day and then eat at a 400 calorie surplus over the rest of the 23 hours and make some progress?

I think it depends on the type of cardio. JMO. Plus, the diet would have to be almost perfect.

A nice steady metabolism and some decent genetics don't hurt either.

[spiketronic]

How do you expect to gain muscle (which is an increase in the amount of space you take up) without weighing more?

Maybe what I meant was, how can I gain weight and make sure it doesn't increase my waist size?

[ljimd]

Lift often, as heavy as you can, eat wisely and let the chips fall where they may. Scale weight means nothing.

[DorteeClan]

I've dieted, exercised and lifted myself to a weight where I look good (185 down to 168) and bought a whole new wardrobe of clothes. I still want to gain a little more muscle mass and improve my definition, but I'm afraid to eat more because at my age (65) the weight might tend to go to my waist. Don't know what my body fat is, but if I work hard and stay at this weight (I've been super motivated for a year now) will I be able to gain muscle? Or do I need to eat more to make gains?

Congrats on your weight loss! What you have to do now is start lifting heavier, eating slightly over your maintenance and walking the fine line between calorie surplus and deficit. You also need to decide how strict you want to get. Are you happy at the weight you are? Will you freak out if you start to gain weight back just to look a little more "defined"? If you're happy where you are, do you want to take the chance that your new clothes will stop fitting if you start eating more hoping to make muscle gains? Will you lose your motivation?

Just my 2¢.

[paolo59]

Lift often, as heavy as you can, eat wisely and let the chips fall where they may. Scale weight means nothing.

You know, I think I've finally come to realize the truth of your last statement!

[mslman71]

You know, I think I've finally come to realize the truth of your last statement!

Absolutely, control what you can control and don't worry about the rest.

[kickblake]

Maybe what I meant was, how can I gain weight and make sure it doesn't increase my waist size?

Lift often, as heavy as you can, eat wisely and let the chips fall where they may. Scale weight means nothing.

Pretty much this. You will always gain some amount of fat while bulking, there's just no way around it.


The only question I have for the original poster is this: do you want to be physically larger or just simply stronger? Cuz you can gain some strength without gaining weight.

[spiketronic]

Pretty much this. You will always gain some amount of fat while bulking, there's just no way around it.


The only question I have for the original poster is this: do you want to be physically larger or just simply stronger? Cuz you can gain some strength without gaining weight.

I really don't care about the weight gain, just want to keep my waist size where it is now. I see lots of pix of guys who have trim waists and well developed upper bodies, so getting bigger and stronger would be fine.