Losing strength

[Ana]

Not sure where to put this...

I've never gotten really lean, but as far as how lean I did get I never lost any strength. Since re focusing on my training in the last couple of months I've gotten pretty strong (for me anyway).
Should I expect to lose strength as I lean out and I get smaller and get less food? Or can I expect to hang on to my strength but probably not see much strength increase going forward? I wouldn't expect that I could keep adding weights to my lifts but I will not stop trying.

[Noel Clark]

I think it really depends on the person. My hope is that you wouldn't lose too much strength. From my experience, I haven't lost strength...I have sometimes been unable to increase weights but I was able to maintain. I think it is important to not "think" that you should lose strength just because you are dieting.

[Ana]

I think it really depends on the person. My hope is that you wouldn't lose too much strength. From my experience, I haven't lost strength...I have sometimes been unable to increase weights but I was able to maintain. I think it is important to not "think" that you should lose strength just because you are dieting.

That's what I thought. I never have before, but I've never pushed around big girl plates either :lol3:
I see ppl sometimes post about losing strength while dieting and I ws curious. I sure hope I don't, I need to keep ALL what little muscle I have.

[Inatic]

That's what I thought. I never have before, but I've never pushed around big girl plates either :lol3:
I see ppl sometimes post about losing strength while dieting and I ws curious. I sure hope I don't, I need to keep ALL what little muscle I have.

when i dieted down i kept all my strength for the most part an off day here or there but i still managed PR's and increased wt. Hope you will too!

I like the idea of not believeing because you are dieting you will lose strength. Always just give it your all.

[smuggie]

That's what I thought. I never have before, but I've never pushed around big girl plates either :lol3:
I see ppl sometimes post about losing strength while dieting and I ws curious. I sure hope I don't, I need to keep ALL what little muscle I have.

Maybe they had been dieting too long by that point, or didn't have proper nutritional support.

[Ana]

Maybe they had been dieting too long by that point, or didn't have proper nutritional support.

Could be. I'm hoping to keep going. I'm most motivated and hard working the leaner I get.

[smuggie]

Could be. I'm hoping to keep going. I'm most motivated and hard working the leaner I get.

Considering who your coach is, I don't think you have anything to worry about. :wink:

[synergyb3]

I can usually maintain or increase weights when working to lose fat. The only time I lost strength I was when I was eating too few calories a few years back. Lesson learned; I won't try that again.

[MichelleS]

I lose strenght when I got leaner but then my cals were kinda low too.

[Amy]

when i dieted down i kept all my strength for the most part an off day here or there but i still managed PR's and increased wt. Hope you will too!

I like the idea of not believeing because you are dieting you will lose strength. Always just give it your all.

This is SO true!! I think if we allow ourselves to believe it is inevitable that we will lose strength, the chances are greater.

I am by no means saying that people don't lose strength, but I do think people (including myself) have given into the "I'm dieting, therefore I am gonna lose lots of strength" :shrug:

[MichelleS]

I am by no means saying that people don't lose strength, but I do think people (including myself) have given into the "I'm dieting, therefore I am gonna lose lots of strength" :shrug:

I think it also has to do with more reps my plans had more reps when I was dieting vs. bulking. so you are going to not be able to move the same weight. I know that if I have a DL PR for 3 reps I'm not going to be able to move that same # for 10 reps

[Cindy Day]

Other considerations on whether one does or does not lose strength (as this is very individual) are:

Level of leaness - When I have plenty of fat to lose and I am losing it, it seems I'm on my high strength end. It's as if my workouts are not only fueled by my current caloric load, but also the fat I'm using up. When there is little to lose and calories are low then it may effect strength, but again I would not look for or expect it too.

CNS fried - when one is in need of taking a break they may see some falling numbers in performance.

Missed workouts - time off will temporarily take your strength down.

Mentally telling yourself you're not going to be strong today because of:
1. tired (lack of sleep)
2. mentally tired or emotionally stressed (when in fact this condition can promote some of my best workouts)
3. focusing on the fact that calories are low - self full filling prophecy

Sickness/Illiness can cause strength to be down.

In most cases other than CNS being fried or fever type illness, I say prove your mind wrong. :weightlift2:

[Alicrmt]

Other considerations on whether one does or does not lose strength (as this is very individual) are:

Level of leaness - When I have plenty of fat to lose and I am losing it, it seems I'm on my high strength end. It's as if my workouts are not only fueled by my current caloric load, but also the fat I'm using up. When there is little to lose and calories are low then it may effect strength, but again I would not look for or expect it too.

CNS fried - when one is in need of taking a break they may see some falling numbers in performance.

Missed workouts - time off will temporarily take your strength down.

Mentally telling yourself you're not going to be strong today because of:
1. tired (lack of sleep)
2. mentally tired or emotionally stressed (when in fact this condition can promote some of my best workouts)
3. focusing on the fact that calories are low - self full filling prophecy

Sickness/Illiness can cause strength to be down.

In most cases other than CNS being fried or fever type illness, I say prove your mind wrong. :weightlift2:

Great stuff, Cindy :thumb:

[Amy]

In most cases other than CNS being fried or fever type illness, I say prove your mind wrong. :weightlift2:

:yeahthat:
Great post Cindy!

[Ana]

Other considerations on whether one does or does not lose strength (as this is very individual) are:

Level of leaness - When I have plenty of fat to lose and I am losing it, it seems I'm on my high strength end. It's as if my workouts are not only fueled by my current caloric load, but also the fat I'm using up. When there is little to lose and calories are low then it may effect strength, but again I would not look for or expect it too.

CNS fried - when one is in need of taking a break they may see some falling numbers in performance.

Missed workouts - time off will temporarily take your strength down.

Mentally telling yourself you're not going to be strong today because of:
1. tired (lack of sleep)
2. mentally tired or emotionally stressed (when in fact this condition can promote some of my best workouts)
3. focusing on the fact that calories are low - self full filling prophecy

Sickness/Illiness can cause strength to be down.

In most cases other than CNS being fried or fever type illness, I say prove your mind wrong. :weightlift2:

Nice post.

I've never lost strength while dieting, but this is sure to stay in the back of my mind on days when i feel weak

[Meechel]

Other considerations on whether one does or does not lose strength (as this is very individual) are:

Level of leaness - When I have plenty of fat to lose and I am losing it, it seems I'm on my high strength end. It's as if my workouts are not only fueled by my current caloric load, but also the fat I'm using up. When there is little to lose and calories are low then it may effect strength, but again I would not look for or expect it too.

CNS fried - when one is in need of taking a break they may see some falling numbers in performance.

Missed workouts - time off will temporarily take your strength down.

Mentally telling yourself you're not going to be strong today because of:
1. tired (lack of sleep)
2. mentally tired or emotionally stressed (when in fact this condition can promote some of my best workouts)
3. focusing on the fact that calories are low - self full filling prophecy

Sickness/Illiness can cause strength to be down.

In most cases other than CNS being fried or fever type illness, I say prove your mind wrong. :weightlift2:

So wise Cindy! Tried to rep but guess gotta get to spreading!

[Anca]

I maintained my strength with minuscule gains even during the last part of my 20 wk 1-2 hr cardio/day contest prep. Since you're working with Erik and are doing a sane, balanced prep, I would expect that you will even be able to make small strength increases. :wink:

[smuggie]

I've never lost strength while dieting.

[SusanF]

I've never lost strength while dieting.

Ya, but you're wonder woman!


:jk:

I don't think I have either, but I know I felt weaker. I think that was the lack of cals and too much cardio, though,.

[MichelleS]

So I guess I'm the only one. :unsure: maybe its all in my mind.

[jaleena]

So I guess I'm the only one. :unsure: maybe its all in my mind.

No, you're not the only one. Happens to me too. I can PR on pull-ups, that's it. Everything else, I'm doing well to maintain...and I haven't quite been able to maintain on squats.

[MichelleS]

No, you're not the only one. Happens to me too. I can PR on pull-ups, that's it. Everything else, I'm doing well to maintain...and I haven't quite been able to maintain on squats.

Okay Thanks. Everyone kept saying that they don't

[Erik]

Generally speaking for the majority of one's diet they should not have to deal with strength losses; in fact for some movements and in many cases, there will still be mild improvements in strength performance.

The issue gets more complicated the leaner and leaner you get. There will be a point, and it will be different for each person, where maintaining strength and size becomes more and more difficult. Once they pass below a certain 'bodyfat threshhold' strength and muscle maintenance becomes an issue that requires more attention and more careful planning.

But for the most part, unless you're doing something wrong (IMO), losing strength and size should not be an issue until you're quite lean.

[Ana]

Generally speaking for the majority of one's diet they should not have to deal with strength losses; in fact for some movements and in many cases, there will still be mild improvements in strength performance.

The issue gets more complicated the leaner and leaner you get. There will be a point, and it will be different for each person, where maintaining strength and size becomes more and more difficult. Once they pass below a certain 'bodyfat threshhold' strength and muscle maintenance becomes an issue that requires more attention and more careful planning.

But for the most part, unless you're doing something wrong (IMO), losing strength and size should not be an issue until you're quite lean.

Yay good to hear. Like I said I've never lost any strength even when I got to my leanest and ws barely eating. I maintained.
I asked because I saw some ppl post that they had indeed lost some strength and I ws concerned it may happen to me. I wanted some opinions because I love that i'm the strongest I've ever been.
This will keep me fueled to continue to try and increase my strength while dieting even if it's minimal.

[Audrey]

I am usually able to maintain strength (sometimes make a few small increases in strength, especially at the beginning) until the last 2-3 weeks before a show. Then it becomes hard to even maintain that strength.