lifting211's picture
lifting211
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why are calories important?

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why are calories important for building muscle?

Can you put on muscle with a deficit of calories? Or is it crucial for muscle gain?

I notice when I eat real clean and healthy low fat high protein diet. I feel lethargic all the time.

When I eat real shitty I feel way better and have energy to workout.

Makwa's picture

It is very difficult to gain muscle when you have a deficit of calories. The reason why is most of the calories you are consuming are being used up just to maintain your daily bodily functions (keeping you alive). There is really nothing left over that can go into tissue growth.

When you have a surplus of calories you are not using up your protein as fuel and it can do its main purpose instead, building muscle. Here is a post I did that maybe puts that in a better perspective.
https://www.eroids.com/forum/general/general-talk/are-you-wasting-your-p...

If you are feeling lethargic try increasing your daily calories by about 250 with most it coming from carbohydrates. Carbs are your main energy source so keep increasing the amount of carbs until your energy feels like where it should be.

gymrat4277's picture

Your body needs energy to grow, if you're in a deficit then how does your body acquire it's energy?

Through Fat AND Muscle, this is why a Caloric surplus is important for growing

romangod's picture

X 2 i am also on calorie restricted diet.

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