If you're gaining muscle while losing fat, the number on the scale may not change at all at first. In fact, it may go up. “Muscle gain often masks fat loss on the scale, as muscle is denser than fat but takes up less space in your body,” she says.
The composition of the weight you gain (fat, muscle, or likely both) will depend on the kind of activity or exercise you perform during that time. If you're gaining muscle but not losing fat, you must be consuming more calories than you burn while also engaging in some sort of resistance training. Good for you!
There are many reasons someone might not lose fat when lifting weights. It could be that they are not doing enough volume, not lifting heavy enough weights, not eating a calorie deficit, or not doing enough cardio. It could also be a combination of these factors.
Having a higher proportion of muscle can actually facilitate weight loss since muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. However, the overall difficulty of losing weight depends on various factors such as metabolism, diet, and exercise routine. Strive for a balanced approach to nutrition and fitness.
This happens because you lose body fat while gaining muscle. Your weight may stay the same, even as you lose inches, a sign that you're moving in the right direction. Typically a scale shows your weight, but it doesn't break down how much of that weight is muscle, fat, water, bones, or organs.
We already know that it's best to prioritize strength workouts to be able to gain muscle and lose fat. The most effective way to do both is to anchor those workouts with big, multi-joint movements, such as squats, deadlifts, and presses. "Compound lift movements incorporate ton of muscles.
Eating 0.36 grams of protein daily per pound of body weight is fine for the average adult. But for those looking to lose weight, eating between 0.81–1.23 grams of protein daily per pound of body weight is better — especially if you're also exercising, which you're likely doing if you're trying to lose weight.
Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats. Choose healthier fats in things like fish, nuts, and avocados. Even a moderate cutback on carbs (grains, pasta, sugars) can help, too.
Muscle helps keep up the rate at which you burn calories (metabolism). So as you lose weight, your metabolism declines, causing you to burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight. Your slower metabolism will slow your weight loss, even if you eat the same number of calories that helped you lose weight.
On average, you can build noticeable muscle in as little as 6-8 weeks with consistent training. Noticeable fat loss can take as long as 6-12 weeks on the slow range, or 4 weeks on a faster protocol. This is assuming that you are optimizing everything you can for fast results.
If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.
You're gaining more muscle mass.
“Lifting weights helps build muscle, which is denser and weighs more than fat,” says Avery Zenker, RD, a dietitian at Everflex Fitness. “This means that you can lose fat, but your overall weight on the scale might not decrease significantly because muscle adds weight,” she says.
It may take 4-6 weeks to see initial changes, but the speed of visible results depends on your starting weight, body composition, and how consistently you follow your weight loss plan. While early weight loss may involve shedding water and muscle, actual fat loss occurs more significantly in the maintenance stage.
On a 2,000-calorie diet, 100g of protein is 20% of your total calories. Experts advise that you eat 10% to 35% of your total calories from protein, so you can eat less than 100g and meet your intake goal. 4 In contrast, you might need 100g or more if you want to gain muscle or lose weight.
You eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of “steady-state cardiovascular exercise.” Eating a protein-filled breakfast in the morning can stave off cravings later, and exercising first thing ensures you get some movement before your day gets going.
Gaining muscle and not losing fat often comes down to diet. It's possible that you're eating too much and may need to decrease your calories slightly. You'll also need to analyze your workouts and overall daily activity levels and consider adding in more calorie-burning activities to boost your fat loss efforts.
If you are training for a 5K or a marathon, you will want to do cardiovascular training first for maximum performance. If you want to increase your muscle strength, do strength training first when your muscles are not fatigued from cardio.
Water weight is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be uncomfortable and recurring. Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning.
1. Your Metabolism Will Slow Down to Store Fat. The more you work out or manage your calorie intake to lose weight, the more your metabolism wants to compensate by slowing down to maintain your current weight, this is called metabolic compensation. It kicks in to preserve and store fat for future energy.