If the amount of weight I use for my lifts stays relatively the same while I’m cutting does this mean I’m maintaining most of my muscle? It seems like logically it would but I don’t want to work with this theory if it is totally wrong.

If the amount of weight I use for my lifts stays relatively the same while I’m cutting does this mean I’m maintaining most of my muscle? It seems like logically it would but I don’t want to work with this theory if it is totally wrong.

I cut on that theory. It makes perfect sense to me although some will dispute its legitimacy.

If the amount of weight I use for my lifts stays relatively the same while I’m cutting does this mean I’m maintaining most of my muscle? It seems like logically it would but I don’t want to work with this theory if it is totally wrong.

It´s not totally wrong. If the weights you can lift stay the same it´s good and your probably not losing alot of muscle. I´m sure it´s a bit complicated to explain in a scientific way...And I guess you can lose a little bit of muscle even if your strenght remains the same. If you/your body adapts and learn to use your muscles in a more efficent way.

It's probably a good bet.

However, you may find your lifts go down - and you may not be loosing a lot of muscle! Just being in a calorie deficit can effect lifting days and compromise recovery, result in more CNS strain etc..

Personally I think many people under estimate the power of the CNS. You might even be able to continue to increase your lifts - it doesn't mean you are definitely gaining muscle. I've managed to substantially increase strength in the past while loosing weight (and probably a bit of muscle) through CNS adaptations.

Personally I think many people under estimate the power of the CNS. You might even be able to continue to increase your lifts - it doesn't mean you are definitely gaining muscle. I've managed to substantially increase strength in the past while loosing weight (and probably a bit of muscle) through CNS adaptations.

I agree with NEdge. It's *some* indication--but faced with the fact that your lifts can go up while you're losing muscle, and can go down though you're not losing a significant amount--I wouldn't put all my stock in it. Use that as a functional gauge, but reserve your eagle eye for the calipers and mirror.

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I've managed to substantially increase strength in the past while loosing weight (and probably a bit of muscle) through CNS adaptations.


Theoretically that sounds reasonable but HOW can you tell without a multitude of high-tech tests.
I'm not arguing the importance of CNS adaptation I just don't think the average person can differentiate between muscle and CNS developement.

Agreed.

How much a person lifts varies day to day depending on sooo many things.

However, if you are consistently losing weight on your lifts, then there is a good chance mass decreased

I'm obliged to mention DIET here. Lifts are important- but if nutrition isn't optimal, good luck.

It's most likely one or more of the following:

1. Losing fat, gaining equal amount of muscle/lean body mass.
2. Losing fat, gaining some amount of muscle/lean body mass, retaining some water.
3. Losing fat, losing water.

It could be:

1. A plateau

It's least likely to be:

1. Gaining fat, losing muscle.

It's most likely one or more of the following:

1. Losing fat, gaining equal amount of muscle/lean body mass.
2. Losing fat, gaining some amount of muscle/lean body mass, retaining some water.
3. Losing fat, losing water.

It could be:

1. A plateau

It's least likely to be:

1. Gaining fat, losing muscle.

what in the world are you talking about?

he just wanted to know if his lifting has not decreased (no decrease in strength) mean's that he's maintained his muscle while on a cut... how in the world could you take that and tell him he's gaining fat and losing muscle???? really, I'd like to know :confused:

My bad - misread post. Thought he was asking if his body weight stayed the same, but his lifts weren't suffering. Based on the way I read it, I said it was least likely that he was gaining fat and losing muscle.

Thanks for letting me know I read that wrong!