Possible to see results while on a deficit on 5x5?

[akaDrago]

I'm starting to StrongLifts 5x5 on Monday, but I have about 80lbs to lose. I'm on a 300 calorie deficit, while doing cardio 6 days a week for 60 mins. So, is it possible to see strength and muscle gains on the 5x5 while dieting?

[Serpentarius]

if you are a beginner you can make strength gains. Also bump your deficit up to about 1000, if you truly have 80 pounds to lose, it will take you 40 weeks losing 2 pounds a week to lose that 80, or 134 weeks in a 300 calorie deficit. All that cardio is especially a waste (6 hours a week) if you are only in a 300 calorie deficit since cardio doesnt get rid of fat.

[akaDrago]

Okay, so my current BMR is around 2700, give or take. So if I consume about 1700 a day, and do 30 minutes of cardio a day, it will be better?

[lee__d]

if you are a beginner you can make strength gains. Also bump your deficit up to about 1000, if you truly have 80 pounds to lose, it will take you 40 weeks losing 2 pounds a week to lose that 80, or 134 weeks in a 300 calorie deficit. All that cardio is especially a waste (6 hours a week) if you are only in a 300 calorie deficit since cardio doesnt get rid of fat.

Strength gains can come regardless if one is a beginner or not (yes they would have it easier). And obviously leaner folks would have to be careful not to create a huge deficit. Upping frequency, and then playing with volume and intensity seems to be key imo.

[caldave28]

My opinion is that if you are doing 60 minutes of cardio a day you should not have a 1000 calorie deficit. When I have done that in the past I can't control my hunger and end up binging at night.

I think stronglifts 5x5 is a great way to loose weight and gain muscle. Some people on the forums will say you can't gain muscle and loose weight at the same time. I think that is bogus, especially for heavy people and beginners. I did 5x5 and watched what I ate. I gained a lot of strength, lost some weight, and my waist size shrunk.

Just stay consistent and if you have a bad day - get back on the horse.

[Android1125]

I think 300 cal deficit is a perfect start. Remember, for fat loss you want a relative caloric deficit (300-500 cals). I'd also say keep the cardio at 30 mins like 4 times a week to start with and increase from there when progress stalls. Strength should come regardless of the program since you still have 80lbs to loose but muscle gains are slightly doubtful. At some point your going to have to up the training volume as well.

[Serpentarius]

Okay, so my current BMR is around 2700, give or take. So if I consume about 1700 a day, and do 30 minutes of cardio a day, it will be better?

Your BMR is not 2700, nobody's is that high unless they are andre the giant. Eat 2200 calories a day, see what happens every week for 3 weeks. If you havent lost at least 5 pounds, eat less or increase activity. Its not my body so i dont care how slow you lose it, but the 300 cals is so ridiculously slow for someone who has a lot to lose that you will be chasing a normal weight for a year and a half.

[j1zip]

You can definately gain muscle on a calorie deficit of 300 but all that cardio will make it very hard. I would cut back at least to 500 and do a less cardio, but I hate cardio. Way too much cardio for real muscle gain. How many hours a week are you spending in the gym?

[akaDrago]

You can definately gain muscle on a calorie deficit of 300 but all that cardio will make it very hard. I would cut back at least to 500 and do a less cardio, but I hate cardio. Way too much cardio for real muscle gain. How many hours a week are you spending in the gym?

For the past year I've been doing a 5 day split, hitting each muscle once a week except calves (3x), but I plan on giving the StrongLifts 5x5 a go in order to get my bench up from 210 to 300, as well as gains in my squats and Deadlifts.