How Jacked is a Fat Dude?

***TaeBo_Master*** · Posted On: 8/03/2011 7:47pm

In case it needed to be said... you don't have to be fat to have massive legs.

Spoiler:

***TaeBo_Master*** · Posted On: 8/03/2011 7:55pm

One of my earlier posts outlined the basics of dietary and training techniques to try to help guide your decisions. Get the basics down, then we can talk further about more precise, advanced techniques.

I get that you wanted to estimate that, and if you're using only dietary tactics, your estimations are probably relatively accurate. But adjusting dietary and strength training tactics can make a big difference in how much fat vs muscle is lost or gained in an individual. So it's not very useful to use only equations to make these estimations. Fat loss and muscle gain operate independently of one another. Since they both respond to diet and exercise, it's impossible to realistically separate them completely from one another. But since they're independent functions, you can have more control over their reactions than one might think.

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 8/03/2011 9:37pm

What I found anecdotally was that, while the theoretical case was 2:1 muscle loss to fat loss, I was personally experiencing 2:1 fat loss to muscle loss. So... I agree.

I'm wondering aloud if it might be more efficient to periodize the building-up and cutting-down diet/exercise routines?

***TaeBo_Master*** · Posted On: 8/04/2011 12:56am

Yes, it is. And that's nothing new. Periodization of building and cutting has long been a part of bodybuilders' and even fitness enthusiasts' routines. Building requires a calorie surplus, which will inevitably lead to at least a little bit of fat increase. Cutting requires a calorie deficit, which will inevitably lead to at least a little bit of muscle loss.

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 8/04/2011 6:30am

I know it's not new bro; I'm asking if you think the combination of the two phases would result in a better ratio of muscle to fat than a single phase of lifting with modern athletic diet.