is your body more apt to replace the area where the fat was that you burned with muscle? i know the body fills that area with water for a while, because it wants to replace the water with fat eventually, but will your body replace it with muscle instead? i've gained a few pounds over the past couple months that i've started doing more resistance training than cardio, but i'm harder and my 34's are a BIT more loose... i certainly haven't gained fat on a low cal diet i don't think. just wondering i guess. thanks.

You can't choose where you want to lose your fat. Everyone's body is unique in how it decides to store (as well as lose) fat. Generally the hardest area to trim is the part we care the most about; our gut. This of course, is just a generalization, for some it might be the first area to go.

Regardless, the main point of resistance training during cutting is to slow down or eliminate muscle loss. The body's natural reaction to refueling your body is to garner its nutrients from the most abundant renewable source it has, muscle.

As far as your concerns about slow progress, there are a few things I can say. Firstly, you might want to give your regiment up for review by a few of the gurus here. I'm sure they'll be able to suggest a number of things you could improve. Secondly, diet is absolutely key to fat loss. I'm sure if you gave your diet a little tune up, it would help tremendously. Like I said before, just post some more details and doubtless one of the friendly experts we have on this board will be more than willing to help you out. :d_smile:

addendum:

after rereading your post I feel I should say that you dont 'replace' anything in your body. Fat and muscle can either shrink or grow. The only way to grow muscle is by training with weights which cause the muscles to tear (microscopically) and increase in size. Your muscles are, of course, always there. They dont move and shift around in your body. When you decrease the overlaying fat tissue's size, the definition of the muscle structure underneath becomes that much clearer.

Hopefully I helped answer your question

As far as I can tell, building muscle doesn't actually burn fat. It raises your metabolism, so if you eat the same amount, you'll lose fat. Also, the process of lifting burns fat. But to say that muscle will physically replace fat would be incorrect, I think.

is your body more apt to replace the area where the fat was that you burned with muscle? i know the body fills that area with water for a while, because it wants to replace the water with fat eventually, but will your body replace it with muscle instead? i've gained a few pounds over the past couple months that i've started doing more resistance training than cardio, but i'm harder and my 34's are a BIT more loose... i certainly haven't gained fat on a low cal diet i don't think. just wondering i guess. thanks.

The answer is no. There is nothing replaced at all - wherever your fat is burned, that area is not obliterated or changed. Your number of fat cells is fixed - you cannot reduce your number of fat cells, short of surgery i.e. liposuction. However, if you experience rapid weight gain, you CAN add more fat cells! Nice catch-22, huh?

What happens is that fat cells are like sacks that are full of oil. When you burn fat, the sacks are emptied of their oil. So the sacks remain, but they deflate and that is how you "lean down".

On the other hand, it is possible to gain muscle while losing fat. That would result in you gaining weight on the scale, but losing measurements. Muscle is more dense than fat - about 4 to 5 times more dense - so losing a pound of fat and gaining a pound of muscle can essentially drop your measurements despite no change in scale weight.

Enjoy the changes ... losing fat and gaining muscle simultaneously is very difficult and rare. People who first begin training can do it fine but experienced lifters are happy to gain 1 - 2 pounds of quality muscle in a year, despite having to cut 5 - 20 pounds to get into competition shape.

Jeremy

but they deflate and that is how you "lean down".

On the other hand, it is possible to gain muscle while losing fat. ... losing fat and gaining muscle simultaneously is very difficult and rare. People who first begin training can do it fine but experienced lifters are happy to gain 1 - 2 pounds of quality muscle in a year, despite having to cut 5 - 20 pounds to get into competition shape.

Jeremy

But Jeremy, there are only a few on this list that are experienced lifters or ready for competition. They have opportunity to lose fat and gain muscle, if they use a resistance training program with diet. I think that is your message.

Dr. Ellington Darden reports a muscle gain of 1/2 pound for week on an average in his cutting program. Doesn't sound like much - 3 pounds in six weeks, but tied with a 26 pound fat loss, it adds up.

But Jeremy, there are only a few on this list that are experienced lifters or ready for competition. They have opportunity to lose fat and gain muscle, if they use a resistance training program with diet. I think that is your message.

Dr. Ellington Darden reports a muscle gain of 1/2 pound for week on an average in his cutting program. Doesn't sound like much - 3 pounds in six weeks, but tied with a 26 pound fat loss, it adds up.

I'll have to second that... I've put on about 5lbs of muscle and lost 26lbs of fat in my venture so far, it does happen, but it's hard to do. Luckily between you, jeremy, swole, and the rest I've been able to keep the fires stoked.