Can my muscle feed on fat instead of eating lots of calories????

[houseofpayne23]

I read everywhere that you cant lose weight and build muscle at the same time because to gain muslce you need to take in more caloreis then you burn, and to lose weight you need to burn more calories. Why cant my muscle feed on calories from my fat instead of me eating extra calories. Because fat is stored calores ready to burn correct? I heard that your muscle will burn calories from fat until you get to 12% body fat?????? Can someone please explain this to me.

 

[Mr.X]

I read everywhere that you cant lose weight and build muscle at the same time because to gain muslce you need to take in more caloreis then you burn, and to lose weight you need to burn more calories. Why cant my muscle feed on calories from my fat instead of me eating extra calories. Because fat is stored calores ready to burn correct? I heard that your muscle will burn calories from fat until you get to 12% body fat?????? Can someone please explain this to me.

First, I’d like to point out that this is a very valid question and has been brought up before. The theory of muscle gain vs. fat-loss is a long and tedious one; however, as with anything, there is always a means to an end.

Let’s start by looking a muscle gain vs. fat-loss; to gain muscle you need to be above your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR – minimum wx12) and to lose bodyfat you need to be below your BMR. If you’re gaining muscle mass with a high-calorie diet, you will burn SOME extra calories but only about 50 extra cal. Per ½-1 lb. of muscle gained vs. the 3-5cals per lb. of fat. The problem is that to gain 1lb. of muscle, it can take up to 4 weeks naturally and, in that time frame, a person is usually apt to again anywhere from 2-10lbs. of bodyfat – especially if a “junk-bulker” is involved.

What you heard about the 12% number is incorrect, for you can burn calories from fat any time.

Another problem with your statement is that it assumes that the body can freely burn fat for energy – which it cannot. The only time one is able to fully exploit the potential of FFA>ketone conversion and usage as energy is in a state of ketosis, which is not achieved on most regular diets.

Mr.X

 

[JoBu]

Low/no carb diets like Atkins and South Beach that put you into ketosis will allow your body to utilize BF as a major source of calories. I'm not saying you will build muscle while burning fat on a calorie deficit, but you will very efficiently burn fat.

I read everywhere that you cant lose weight and build muscle at the same time because to gain muslce you need to take in more caloreis then you burn, and to lose weight you need to burn more calories. Why cant my muscle feed on calories from my fat instead of me eating extra calories. Because fat is stored calores ready to burn correct? I heard that your muscle will burn calories from fat until you get to 12% body fat?????? Can someone please explain this to me.

 

[bran987]

The problem is that to gain 1lb. of muscle, it can take up to 4 weeks naturally and, in that time frame, a person is usually apt to again anywhere from 2-10lbs. of bodyfat – especially if a “junk-bulker” is involved.

Mr.X

1 lb. muscle for 2-10 lbs. fat? are you talking about people who don't know how to eat right? just the general public you mean?

 

[zinkcus]

the replies on this guys question so far have been crap. I don't think you understand what he was asking.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Zinkcus, if you're not going to add in anything constructive, don't post. I don't see what you said to be anything other than crap.

Anyway, Mr. X, I assume you mean you can add 1 lb. of muscle in less than four weeks, but it can sometimes take that long for some people. There's no way it'd be four weeks (even naturally) to add one pound of muscle mass. Nuh-uh. I've seen plenty of results proving otherwise. Results are what count to me.