12/05/2026
If your goal is fat loss without losing muscle, focus on:
Protein
Aim for 1.6 to 2.2 g per kg of body weight per day.
If you are 70 kg, your daily protein target would be between 112 g and 154 g of protein. Or, if you eat 4 times a day, aim to get between 30 to 40 g of protein per meal.
This is one of the simplest ways to support lean mass while you’re in a deficit.
Prioritise weight training
Strength training is the signal your body needs to keep muscle while you diet.
And yes, people can build muscle in a calorie deficit, especially if they’re newer to lifting or returning after time off.
Prioritise sleep
Poor sleep can increase hunger and cravings, reduce training intensity, and mess up recovery. Aim for 7 to 9 hours.
Building muscles in a calorie deficit
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817506/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30103509/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19997019/
Protein targets
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150425/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26960445/