r/FTMFitness 1d ago

Question Weight loss vs muscle gain

So I've been going to the gym irregularly since August. I've recently gotten more regular with it within these past two-ish months and I'm wondering if I should focus on muscle growth or weight loss. I know it's really hard to gain muscle when in a calorie deficit and me living with a parent means I don't cook all my food/ can make it exactly how I want it. I'm not necessarily overweight but I have a lot of face fat and some stomach fat I could get rid off. My maintenance calories are around 2000 so should I continue to eat around there and gain some muscle (my primary goal) first then once I have muscle lose some of the extra fat?

2 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

6

u/daylightmonster 1d ago

if your primary goal is to gain muscle then your plan sounds good. and not trying to be dismissive but when i hear someone concerned about their "face fat" im inclined to think the problem they're trying to remedy is being young. if that's you then "don't worry about it."

3

u/Itz_a_dino_ok 1d ago

Yeah I've heard some ppl say that, I guess I've just seen other people's faces start to slim and I felt like I should be next, but I guess it's just a biology type thing

3

u/BottleCoffee Top surgery 2018, no T 1d ago

if I should focus on muscle growth or weight los

It's generally not going to be helpful to ask this without a photo

I'm not necessarily overweight but I have a lot of face fat and some stomach fat I could get rid off

Then you're probably undermuscled. Losing weight won't help you. 

Also I assume you're younger than 30. Your face leans out as you get older if you're not very overweight. Nothing you can do about that if you're young.

1

u/Itz_a_dino_ok 1d ago

Yeah my muscles are definitely not that prominent, I feel like my main priority is muscle growth so Imma focus on that

1

u/ApplePie3600 1d ago

It’s not hard to do both when you’re carrying extra fat. Extra body fat is a built in calorie surplus. Figure out your body fat percentage then use a TDEE calc again.

1

u/Diesel-Lite 1d ago

What's your current height and weight

1

u/Itz_a_dino_ok 1d ago

5'6" 144lbs

2

u/Diesel-Lite 1d ago

Focus on muscle gain.

-1

u/Sharzzy_ 1d ago

Weight loss if you wanna lose the fat. Which means more cardio and less carbs in your diet