Building muscle first or loosing weight first?

Kevin M.

I'm about 1.83m, 78kg and a medium body build. I'm not fat, but I do have a bit of a belly and some fat around the legs. I want to get more toned and get some leaner with more muscle but I don't know whether to lose the flab first then start building my muscles or the other way round. I don't want to like get buff buff (like schwarzenegger or something) just a bit defined like say beckham with a decent set of abs.

Any advice regarding this or some diets welcomed

illicit

mind putting 1.83m and 78kg in our units. i know 78 kg ~160lbs but what's the height.

this is really what it depends on if you're deciding to build muscle, or to start toning immediately

1) you already have body mass to lose (eg. you're not a skinny fuck )
2) what weight would you like to get to ( eg. you're "healthy" weight)
3) what metabolism you have
4) willing to take supplements?


edit:

6ft - 170.

Ok well at this point i'd say that it couldn't hurt for you to gain a little bit of weight, say 190, and lose weight down to 180 (which should be a healthy weight value for you, im not too sure you should look into it yourself)

Basically for me, im 5'8, and i WAS 130lbs ( obviously underweight) so i'm biulding up to 155 ( 149 at the moment ) then cutting down to 145 ( which is a healthy weight for this height )

This bulk then cut method is what most people do, and you see results faster so you tend to keep on going. the alternative is to SLOWLY build muscle up to your weight, but again, when you don't see results, you tend to give up.

da_prodigy

I think Illicit's method is the best way to go if you are looking to get bigger and build muscle. But if you are just looking for a 6 pack and some definition, just do some cardio and eat right with a little bit of weight excercises. Rather than doing 3 sets of 8, do 5 sets of 2 with lighter weight. This will help with the definition as well as the running and eating healthy. Just to warn you though, getting a flat stomach is one fo the hardest things to do, I've been doing situps everyday for a month and I still am no where close to having a beach body that I was gunnin for.

Mengs

I think that 78kg for 183cm is not very heavy... it's gonna be hard for you to build up your muscles and so on cos you don't have the mass there to turn into muscle... it's harder for a someone skinny to build muscle when compared to someone with the mass already there.

I suggest you to eat and train... eat and train... until you get to you ideal size, then stop increasing weight... you usually increase weight to get muscle, but if you stick to smaller weights, it will be all cool...
a good eg. is girls going to gym; see how they don't really build a lot of muscle by training with smaller weights...

it might sound weird, but doing those home videos is really good for getting defined and good abs... like those px90 programs and pilates etc etc...

El_Cambumbo

Dude, you are not heavy at all. I'm 6'1, 180lbs and I'm still pretty skinny. Just hit the gym and run in the morning, you'll be in good shape in a couple of months.

illicit

like i said, check what a healthy weight is for a 6'0 guy. i dont know. 190?

what i've had a dilemma is between being a bit smaller with a sixpack, or being bigger but without a really defined sixpack (but still toned and visible)

i chose the bigger w/ sixpack because..
...woop de do you have a sixpack when you're in a fight, doesnt help you for jack shit

El_Cambumbo

Abs are totally overrated, as long as my gut doesn't stick out further than my chest, I'm happy. And in a fight, it is actually best to have a strong neck and wide jaws, that way you don't get knocked out easily.

Kevin M.

Thanks, but I'm not planning on getting into any fights hahaha

I'm really gonna change my diet I think thats my biggest weakness. I'm so lazy I usually end up eating leftovers, pizza or wendys so I should eat more healthier. Thanks for the suggestions

h604

do alot of compound joint lifts, none of that isolation stuff, your bulk up and drop some fat at the same time, keep in mind, the more muscle you put on, the higher your metabolism will get, so since your not that heavy to begin with, the muscle you do put on should solve the majority of any "belly" you may have.

Insatiable

I once heard a rule of thumb that goes something like this:

Take your height in centimetres.

Subtract 100.

The result is your ideal weight in kilos.

It's something gymnasts used to determine their weight for competitions. It does not work for all heights/weights but for most people this rule works.

Kevin M, you're underweight, despite having a bit of a belly and some fat around the legs. The thing is, if you decide to lose the weight and gain muscle, you might end up being heavier than you are now: muscle does weigh more than fat you know.

Good luck with your exercise plan!

P.S. I'm 6'3" (about 191cm) and fairly underweight, but am hoping that a high-protein and high-carb (good carbs only!!!) diet and CONSISTENT exercise will help me reach the 91kg mark to which I strive.