I've read a lot of interesting threads about this subject on this board, and the weight of this board seems to feel that you need to bulk (eat more calories than your body needs) to gain muscle, then cut to shed the fat - in that order.
Why can't someone actually lose body fat while still building muscle? Assuming optimum nutrition, what would stop that from happening?
I ask this because I'd like to hear some informed opinions on this matter. I personally don't like to put on all that body fat. I've done only one cycle in the past and I ballooned up to 240 lbs, and was extremely uncomfortable. I prefer to be lean - and not just for aesthetic reasons.
I'd like my second cycle to be one where I eat very strict and try and build only lean body mass, but I see most people split everything into two categories - cutting cycle and bulking cycle. I'd like to pose the question of why can't someone do a "bulking" cycle while still trying to lose or maintain current levels of body fat? Why must one choose between the two?
I hope this sparks a lively, thoughtful exchange of ideas and information.
Why can't someone actually lose body fat while still building muscle? Assuming optimum nutrition, what would stop that from happening?
I ask this because I'd like to hear some informed opinions on this matter. I personally don't like to put on all that body fat. I've done only one cycle in the past and I ballooned up to 240 lbs, and was extremely uncomfortable. I prefer to be lean - and not just for aesthetic reasons.
I'd like my second cycle to be one where I eat very strict and try and build only lean body mass, but I see most people split everything into two categories - cutting cycle and bulking cycle. I'd like to pose the question of why can't someone do a "bulking" cycle while still trying to lose or maintain current levels of body fat? Why must one choose between the two?
I hope this sparks a lively, thoughtful exchange of ideas and information.