Cutting V Muscle Size

[TJLEE]

Hi guys,

Was wondering what I should be expecting from my 3 month cutting period. Would I expect to increase muscle size, stay the same or lose muscle size?

Also, I have read somewhere that it is not recommended to lose anymore than 2lb per week, when cutting because anymore than this your body takes from muscle mass. Is this true?

I am sure nobody wants to lose muscle size so was just looking for advice.

Thanks.

[-AC-]

you definately wont put on muscle size if you are cutting properly. you should aim to retain 100% of it but that is difficult (depending on how much you are wanting to cut by). last year for example when i cut i reckon i lost 14lbs fat and 2-4lbs muscle. not the end of the world but this year i am going to try and not lose any muscle if possible. yes 2lbs per week is a good steady rate of fat loss. any more and you will be in too much of a calorie defecit and not getting the energy needed to sustain muscle mass.

[Edd_123]

ac would u say then the slower u cut the better? i.e small loss each week but from fat?

[-AC-]

thats correct. the less of a calorie defecit the less muscle mass you will lose. however if you are losing 1lb a month its barely worth doing. 2lb per week is a good goal.

[TJLEE]

Thanks Adam,
So it is just a case of monitoring weight loss each week and if you are in too much of a calorie deficit, up the calories.

If you were experiencing too much weight loss, would you recommend raising carb levels?

[JoshLarge]

The slower the better, but obviously the longer it will take.

Yes monitor weight loss..when i diet ill expect to lose 5-8lbs in the first week due to losing alot of water.

So ill go by what happens after the 2 week period of introducing the diet.

[TJLEE]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fat_loss_muscle_gain_trick.htm

I have just been reading this.....what do you guys think?

[-AC-]

to me that article although interesting is not scientifically sound. yes in theory your body could use the enrgy from the stored fat to use in building new muscle tissue but whether your body decides that the fat stores are less important than extra muscle are another thing. your body will only use the fat energy if it is required for survival. fat stores play a vital role in the body and increased muscle mass does not so your body naturally will not take away the vital fat for unneccessary growth.

again that isnt scientifically backed but that would be my counterargument. i have considered the view in that article before.

also i do believe that you can build muscle whilst losing fat but the possibility only applies in about 0.1% of the population. you need knowledge, regimented routine and amazing genetics.

[2010Muscle]

you wont put on much muscle, but after 3 months when you're cut your muscles will look bigger.

google the truth about bulking and scroll to the bottom of the article and you'll see :cool:

[Edd_123]

seriously good article.

[TJLEE]

Good article 2010 muscle...thanks.

There are so many different opinions on things that sometimes it can all get a bit confusing. I suppose it is an individual trial and error thing and its whatever works best for you. I am sure if I stay consistent with my diet and training then I will find out at the end of the three months how my body has reacted.

[-AC-]

good view of it ^^ no one person is the same so whos to say hat works for one person will work for another and vice versa.