2 questions about being on a deficit

[comp85t]

If someone can help answer, I'd appreciate it!

1. I'm 5'5, around 145 lbs. Not a lot of muscle. My goal weight is around 130 before I bulk for the first time. I do lots of cardio, Monda-Friday I eat 1500 calories and on the weekends I eat 2500. My lifts are all very weak, I'm assuming because all the energy goes to cardio?

What would happen if I cut down on the cardio and dedicated more energy towards lifting?


2. I read that noobs like myself can gain muscle while on a deficit. Does this apply to the neck too? I work my neck M-F and rest on the weekends and it's almost 14.5inches (not that big but bigger than it was) and I want to keep increasing the weight and just wondering how noob gains on a deficit will apply to this?

[vinilzord]

So, you have few muscles packed on but still wanna cut 15 lbs? That's not very smart. Get precise with macro and calorie counting, and check out your TDEE. Also doing tons of cardio is counterproductive, keep it low or moderate intensity twice a week. NO ONE needs cardio to lose fat.
And, what would happen is that hypertrophy would be promoted and you'd see better results than living on the treadmill, given you're a beginner and it doesn't matter much if you're at maintenance or below.
Idk about the neck thing.

Post pictures. What's your BF and goals?
You seem to be kinda lost

[comp85t]

I don't think I'm lost...

I was 165ish of mostly fat in May, dropped down to 137 by September, took a break and went up to 145 where I'm currently at. I do cardio because I enjoy it and want to burn the last bit of fat off quickly.

My goal is not to be a bodybuilder, maybe I should have stated that.. I just want to lose weight and stay lean and add some muscle so as to not be skinny fat. The muscle that I do have isn't a lot, I do see tone and definition but I wouldn't call it a lot.

I'm probably around 22% bf atm.


I'm simply wondering what would happen if I cut down on the cardio while losing the last bit of fat and dedicated that energy to lifting.

[harrrrris]

Have a lot of carbs like rice and pasta and take stimulants before training don't cut cardio

[BecomingSmaller]

Have a lot of carbs like rice and pasta and take stimulants before training don't cut cardio

Want to explain your reasoning, sounds nuts to me.

[JasmineJas]

Have a lot of carbs like rice and pasta and take stimulants before training don't cut cardio

absolutely agreed with you

[DanPaul7]

Your lifts are weak because you barely eat. If you want to be stronger, you might as well start eating and lifting properly now. If you still want to do the cardio alongside lifting, you will need to eat even more.

[Jammer02xd]

You need to gain some muscle before cutting, IMO.