Calories for putting on muscle

[LeanneM]

Hi everyone,

I just finished reading the book, and learned so much! I also really enjoyed Lou's writing style, which had me laughing out loud in places!

I have a question about putting on muscle mass, though, that I was hoping I could get some help with. I only want to lose another pound or two, and my main goal is to put on some muscle and gain definition. I've read before that you need to eat more calories to put on muscle. Is that true? Or can I stay within my calorie limit given in Chapter 7 and still put on muscle? The book seems to suggest this since the nutrition plan is part of the workout plan, but I'd like to be sure.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Leanne

[LisaS]

if you read Lou's "for instance" case on pg 13-14, you will see that his 120 lb woman loses fat (from 30% to 17.5%), increases lean muscle by 10% and ends up at the same weight.

as I read it, the main thrust of the "work out hard & eat at maintenance" nutrition chapters is geared to doing exactly that - body recomposition with the same target weight (or close) - see pg 66-69 for how the math might work out.

so give it a shot - take your measurements, calculate your calories, hit the weights and see what happens over the next 6-8 weeks.

[LeanneM]

Thanks, Lisa, for the response! I think I will try what you said -- and just eat at my maintenance level for awhile. I've been tracking my weight, calories, and body fat for about four months, which is why I was thinking of changing things up a bit. But eating at maintenance sounds like a good plan!

Thanks!