Adarq.org

Blog Section => ADARQ & LanceSTS - Q&A => Topic started by: Zetz on July 21, 2011, 08:40:22 pm

Title: Weight and Caloric Deficit
Post by: Zetz on July 21, 2011, 08:40:22 pm
Okay, so I've been trying to gain weight for a long time. (I've had quite a few setbacks, but I've made decent improvements in strength and at good times I have been up slightly)

So here's the deal: I've started tracking calories from all my food with FitDay, which is a pretty sweet program for logging stuff actually, except you can't make weight GAIN goals, it's geared towards loss.

I still have at least one meal left today, so this isn't really relevant until later tonight. So far I'm at a 400 calorie deficit, from what the program is giving me. (which seems to be pretty accurate by all accounts) This is on a heavy lifting day of course. I plan on using it to help me balance my diet more and eat better for my goals, BUT here's the question that's been on my mind for a while:


Is it possible to gain weight with a caloric deficit? If I remain fairly active even on off-lifting days, but eat plenty of protein, could I, at least in theory, still gain weight over time despite a deficit?

EDIT: this is, of course, speaking strictly in terms of muscle mass. I know you would lose some fat, but that can only go so far... I'm probably wrong, but wouldn't you get leaner for a while and then start gaining some weight? Not sure if that's the best way to phrase the question.
Title: Re: Weight and Caloric Deficit
Post by: LBSS on July 22, 2011, 11:01:44 am

Is it possible to gain weight with a caloric deficit?

NO
Title: Re: Weight and Caloric Deficit
Post by: Raptor on July 22, 2011, 12:35:09 pm

Is it possible to gain weight with a caloric deficit?

NO

Get pregnant.
Title: Re: Weight and Caloric Deficit
Post by: LBSS on July 22, 2011, 01:20:53 pm

Is it possible to gain weight with a caloric deficit?

NO

Get pregnant.

NO
Title: Re: Weight and Caloric Deficit
Post by: Zetz on July 22, 2011, 03:21:30 pm

Is it possible to gain weight with a caloric deficit?

NO

Get pregnant.

NO

That. ^ (thanks for the simple answer)

Actually I've been reading more about all of that and realized it's possible... if your caloric expenditure is inaccurate. Haha. No, what I did read more closely is that the caloric surplus doesn't actually have to be that big to gain weight (some guys say only a few hundred calories surplus daily to stay lean). After growth spurts/puberty and such you can only gain so much lean mass weekly/monthly, which means you only need enough surplus to support that growth. Any excess that isn't contributing to growth is either disposed (like excess calories from too much protein... crapped right out) or stored as fat.

Sweet, I answered my own question. Now I feel stupid for asking.