Weight training and VLCD's

[laurenmay]

I've always been interested in weight training, but never had the guts to go ahead and do it myself. But recently I've been researching a lot into getting lean, building muscle mass and lowering my body fat percentage to between 18-20%.

I don't want the female bodybuilder look, as much as its extremely impressive and I have a lot of respect for the women who lift that amount of weight and look how they do, it's just not the outcome I want myself.. But I do want to be as lean and toned as possible, but with a small amount of muscle so that I maintain my curves and feminine assets but look strong and fit the same time.

Anyway, I've been reading into weight training while on a VLCD, and everyone seems to be advising against it saying that consuming such low calories, 400-700 a day will cause muscle loss more so than fat loss, and although you'll be losing weight you won't be losing body fat but muscle instead... and I really don't want that!

I am classed as morbidly obese though, I carry weight well but I am 198lbs at only 5ft 3 so I do have a good 60lbs to lose. So that's why I chose slim and save to begin with.. But am I okay to follow slim and save whilst doing heavy weight training and occasional cardio?

I just don't wanna lose muscle mass, or become unwell. Opinions please?

 

[RebekahR]

I was obese when I started slim and save too

I weight train 5-6 days a week no problem. I dont seem to have lost muscle, my biceps have grown and the fat is stripping off to reveal muscle

I am doing a variety of techniques on s&s. Once I refeed I will be changing up my routine. I do a combination of low rep days and higher rep days

I lift fairly similar to off plan, I go a little lighter, maybe 10kg less on lifts but haven't found my strength any less bar legs - I leg press 120kg on plan which is still ok for me. Happy to stick there and increase when refeeding

Hope that helps some Xx

 

[laurenmay]

Thanks that does help..

Seen as you seem to be into weight training like me, check out a site called cutandjacked.com and click on the 'for women' tab at the top its really informative & has some in depth interviews with female bodybuilders and fitness models, and motivational workout videos etc x

 

[weasey]

I'm no help on the weight training front I'm afraid. But I just wanted to say that when my body fat percentage was measured a few weeks ago (having reached my goal weight) it was 22.5% - which is in the fitness range for women. Given that I did very little exercise during the programme and have only just started doing some I think the result flies in the face of what people say. Of course I will have lost some muscle (I don't need as much just to walk around now) but I've lost far more fat than mucle - unless my 19 stone was all muscle of course...