Overweight; Do I need calories to build muscle?

[WhoreCustomer Member Find all posts View Profile Close WhoreCustomer]

Been doing weightlifitng for about 2 months now, and have noticed good progress in muscle mass etc. However, I have a lot of bodyfat which I am also planning to get rid of through weightlifting. But the thing is, you need like 3200 calories daily or something like that (depending on the person) to build muscle, right? At the moment I've been eating quite alot, probably 4000+ calories daily, which has resulted in that I gained more bodyfat. However, lets say if I started eating about 2500 calories daily, would I still be able to build muscle? Would I burn more fat because the body would use the fat as an energy source because the food intake wasn't fulfilling? Anyone who knows more than me about this stuff?

[alan020 Member of the Month Jan 13 Find all posts View Profile Close alan020]

If I were you I would lose the fat first and then focus on building muscle, either way you do not need over 4000 calories to build muscle. With proper diet and nutrition calorie intake is only a fraction of what is important. If I were you I would cut it to 2500 calories max, focus on loosing the fat and building the muscle a small bit but dont have this as your only priority. Women tend to prefer, average build well toned men, not a guy with a ridicoulous amount of muscle and a fat as well. Just my two cents

[WhoreCustomer Member Find all posts View Profile Close WhoreCustomer]

If I were you I would lose the fat first and then focus on building muscle, either way you do not need over 4000 calories to build muscle. With proper diet and nutrition calorie intake is only a fraction of what is important. If I were you I would cut it to 2500 calories max, focus on loosing the fat and building the muscle a small bit but dont have this as your only priority. Women tend to prefer, average build well toned men, not a guy with a ridicoulous amount of muscle and a fat as well. Just my two cents

Yea, but weightlifting is also the best way to lose fat My goal is not to become a muscle freak (which I believe is impossible whitout steroids or crazy genetics), also I do weightlifting not bodybuilding. I want some mucles of course, but the muscles need calories as well as proteins to be maintained/grow. If they don't get this, they wont recover? And I won't be able to lift heavier for each workout? So my question is, do I need a certain amount of calories to build muscle when I have a lot of bodyfat disposable, or do I not?

[Learns Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Learns]

I weight lift to gain mass, so don't have much advice for you in the weight lifting area, but I will tell you that a god cardio workout is the best way to loose body fat. Religiously swim or run and you will cut your body fat in no time =)

[WhoreCustomer Member Find all posts View Profile Close WhoreCustomer]

I weight lift to gain mass, so don't have much advice for you in the weight lifting area, but I will tell you that a god cardio workout is the best way to loose body fat. Religiously swim or run and you will cut your body fat in no time =)

When you lift you gain mass...lol. Isn't that how it is? Of course I want mass, but losing the fat is also something I want. I know cardio could help, however I feel like it is hurting my strenght training, also I really hate cardio.

[Going411x7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Going411x7]

You don't need calories to build muscle, but you DO need protein. Carbs and fats
do not build muscle tissue.

[Adam333 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Adam333]

In order to build muscle you need energy, fat is stored energy, I think the best thing to do is something like p90x or insanity workout. It's all really depends on what you want to achieve if you want to tone up then you can weight lift and do cardio if anything it's recommended. Muscle helps burn fat post workout. Don't just do cardio and expect to tone up, use the fat to build the muscle and use the muscle to burn the fat easy peasy

[alan020 Member of the Month Jan 13 Find all posts View Profile Close alan020]

You don't need calories to build muscle, but you DO need protein. Carbs and fats
do not build muscle tissue.

Neither does protein, it does not build muscle, it repairs the microtears that are produced through weightlifting

[Rekcirbdlog Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rekcirbdlog]

Lyle McDonald - Bodyrecomposition

Start reading. You're not asking for info. in the right place.

[WhoreCustomer Member Find all posts View Profile Close WhoreCustomer]

I'm not looking for any training program... I already have one and I have no intention in changing it. I am wondering if I need a certain amount of calories to build muscle when I am already overweight. Muscles need energy to be maintained, can they get this energy from my bodyfat if they dont get enough calories? That is what I am wondering about.

I know its a random forum to ask about this but people here respond alot and are quite helpful.

[Adam333 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Adam333]

Yes you can use body fat to maintain muscle mass

[Persevere Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Persevere]

Yea, but weightlifting is also the best way to lose fat My goal is not to become a muscle freak (which I believe is impossible whitout steroids or crazy genetics), also I do weightlifting not bodybuilding. I want some mucles of course, but the muscles need calories as well as proteins to be maintained/grow. If they don't get this, they wont recover? And I won't be able to lift heavier for each workout? So my question is, do I need a certain amount of calories to build muscle when I have a lot of bodyfat disposable, or do I not?

not sure where you heard/read that weightlifting is the best way to lose fat. Highly arguable. Many would say that aerobics is the best way. At some point you'll want to add cardio either way as lifting/building alone is an unbalanced way to get healthy. Maybe try something like cross-fit to work both. your new found strength will come in very handy.

Many experts also recommend going in phases between trimming and gaining. The thought is that it's very difficult to gain/retain muscle when losing fat. Trimming fat (& loosing a bit of muscle), then building - cycling in 3 month interval is something I've heard to be successful.

Also, 4000 calories is for hardcore athletes who train a couple hours/day. Use an online calculator to get a base estimate of the calories you need for the day, taking into account your current activities, then figure out what the deficit you need is to lose fat. Diet composition is very important.

[second lensman Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close second lensman]

Exercise and diet = the formula to lose weight.
Building muscle mass requires a special diet and weight lifting, but I suspect you already know this.

[WhoreCustomer Member Find all posts View Profile Close WhoreCustomer]

Yes you can use body fat to maintain muscle mass

Thats what I needed to know!

[Rekcirbdlog Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rekcirbdlog]

Did you look at the website? He has a very detailed answer to that question.

The short answer is: You do need the calories to build muscle. If you eat too little you will lose fat and muscle unless you diet very carefully. If you eat too much, you will gain muscle and fat. There needs to be a balance.

Please do yourself a favor and search the website I posted for his articles on muscle-building.

What are your goals and what is your training program?