Diet: how to lose fat while preserving your mass

Find out how to lose fat while preserving your muscles in this article on the diet.
Image news Diet: how to lose fat while preserving your mass
Nov 4, 2024
9 min

Dieting, is a phase commonly used by fitness enthusiasts to reduce body fat while retaining as much of their hard-earned muscle mass as possible. In this article, we'll explore exactly what a dry run is, how to carry it out effectively and strategies for achieving optimal results.

What is dieting?

Dieting is a period when the main objective is to reduce your body fat percentage while retaining your hard-earned muscle. Unlike simple weight loss, where the objective may be overall weight loss (including muscle mass), dieting is specifically aimed at eliminating excess fat while preserving as much muscle as possible.

How to achieve an effective diet?

  • Controlled caloric deficit: To lose fat, you need to create a caloric deficit, which means consuming fewer calories than you burn. However, it's essential to do this in a controlled way to avoid excessive muscle loss. Aim for a moderate deficit of around 300 to 500 calories a day.
  • Maintain a high protein intake: Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass during exercise. Make sure you consume enough high-quality protein at every meal to promote muscle recovery and protein synthesis.
  • Prioritize carbohydrates and fats: Although protein remains important, adjust your carbohydrate and fat intake according to your energy needs and personal preferences. Prioritize complex carbohydrates and healthy fats to maintain energy and support training performance.
  • Resistance training: strength training is important during exercise to signal your body to maintain muscle mass. Focus on compound exercises and maintain as much intensity as possible despite your calorie deficit.
  • Add cardio: Although resistance training remains a priority, adding cardio sessions can help accelerate fat loss during your workout. Choose high-intensity cardio sessions or split workouts to maximize benefits while minimizing muscle loss.

Tips for maximizing results 

  • Adequate hydration: drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support your body's functions, including fat burning.
  • Quality sleep: pay particular attention to your sleep during dry spells. Getting enough sleep promotes muscle recovery and helps regulate appetite-related hormones.
  • Tracking progress: record your workouts, diet and physical progress to adjust your program as needed and stay motivated.
  • Consult an expert: If you have specific concerns or questions about your dry skin, don't hesitate to consult a personal trainer or nutrition expert for personalized advice.

In conclusion, effective dieting requires a balanced approach combining a controlled calorie deficit, strategic resistance training and proper nutrition. By following this advice and staying consistent with your plan, you'll be able to achieve your fat loss goals while preserving your precious muscle mass.

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Credits

fitmetrics.ch
fitmetrics.ch
@fitmetrics.ch - FitMetrics team

Sources

  • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN) (jissn.biomedcentral.com)
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) (nsca.com)
  • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) (acsm.org)
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