Gain muscle lose fat?

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

I have a couple of things that I am confused about. Im a former endurance runner and ran the novice LP and got stronger but also got fat. When I started LP i was 6 foot 0 inch, 180 pounds, with a 31-32 inch waist. I finished LP at 205 pounds 37 inch waist, #sadface, #gainz. Ive never dealt with weight problems before. As a runner i never dealt with hunger problems or weight control, but barbell training makes me extremely hungry like ive never felt before. So hungry that i either cant fall asleep or i wake up in the middle of the night extremely hungry. During quarantine when the gym was closed, i immediately lost 10 pounds in a month just by putting the barbells down and training with kettlebells at home.

Question 1. Should I just stop training with barbells and start running again to cut weight?

Question 2. If it is impossible to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, why do you recommend hypertrophy and other templates for losing fat post novice?

Question 3. I work third shift as a critical care nurse, do you think my job is contributing to excess weight gain?

2

  1. I would incorporate some form of resistance training regardless of weight management. I think your previous programming and that community played a strong role in your appetite and dietary patterns. In any case, weight loss outcomes are better when combined modality exercise (resistance training and aerobic conditioning) are combined with dietary changes.

  2. It’s not impossible.

  3. Likely, though not independent of an energy surplus.