Is it possible...

[rustdoll]

To increase muscle mass(or at least get them stronger?) while on a calorie deficit? Right now I'm trying to eat more healthy, but I'm still below minimum levels. :/
I want to be toned, and stronger...

[leylusha]

It's possible on a small deficit (how small depends on your body) but not on a starvation diet. In that case you can only maintain your current strength/endurance, not increase it. :/

[weightlessrunner]

Short answer is no.

[silver_elf]

You do need to consume enough protein to be able to build muscle... but you don't necessarily need tons of calories esp if you have enough body mass

[rustdoll]

Aw Well at least it's good to know I can maintain it...

[silver_elf]

The muscles you work will get stronger, but it will take longer if you are missing the "building blocks" (protein!! and carbs!! and also vitamins, minerals, essential fats, etc) and you will be more tired and depending on how big the deficit it might be at the expense of other tissues you kind of need. If your body is happy with what you're giving it (you'll notice with recovery times and energy levels) you should be fine and you will gain muscle. Right now it sounds like you might want to try upping your intake a little, just play around with it and do some research and see how you feel.
If you're going to be weight training it will up your metabolism quite a bit so you might not need to restrict as much to burn the same amount of fat and that way you can keep training hard, building muscle, revving your metabolism more, losing more, and so on in a glorious cycle.
My goal, also, is to be more toned and stronger. It's so far helping my body-image a lot, despite being a similar weight I think I look a lot better and feel a lot better (and my clothes definitely feel looser).

thought I'd clarify my previous post.

[rustdoll]

The muscles you work will get stronger, but it will take longer if you are missing the "building blocks" (protein!! and carbs!! and also vitamins, minerals, essential fats, etc) and you will be more tired and depending on how big the deficit it might be at the expense of other tissues you kind of need. If your body is happy with what you're giving it (you'll notice with recovery times and energy levels) you should be fine and you will gain muscle. Right now it sounds like you might want to try upping your intake a little, just play around with it and do some research and see how you feel.
If you're going to be weight training it will up your metabolism quite a bit so you might not need to restrict as much to burn the same amount of fat and that way you can keep training hard, building muscle, revving your metabolism more, losing more, and so on in a glorious cycle.
My goal, also, is to be more toned and stronger. It's so far helping my body-image a lot, despite being a similar weight I think I look a lot better and feel a lot better (and my clothes definitely feel looser).

thought I'd clarify my previous post.

Thanks that was helpful. Right now even when I restrict I mostly eat small amounts of total junk food lol =/ I guess that's not good for working out, though I probably get a lot of fat & carbs. I guess I have to work on that haha.
Do you think vitamins, like protein pills, would be of any help?
And yes I do feel better since I started working out! It's been only two weeks but I feel like I have more energy, and I'm less depressed.

[silver_elf]

Good ways to get protein: chicken, tuna, lean beef (or bison! super lean) eggs, soy, whey protein, skim cheeses, yogurt (esp greek), nuts (only a bit though), legumes, quinoa, etc.
You can also try powders (not so icky in a fruit smoothie) or pre-mixed drinks.
and a multivitamin is always a good idea but not a substitute for fruits and veggies and grains. take it as "insurance"

Good ways to get carbs (esp the complex ones that keep you full longer than "junk food" and have other nutrients like vitamins and minerals so you get more nutrition and stamina per calorie): legumes, grains like quinoa, whole grain(cereals/breads), rice (wild/brown rice is better), fruits, some veggies, potatoes/sweet potatoes (high starch, if you eat it in moderation and not fried or buttered it's super good for you)

Hope that helps. Pick a few from each list and have some each on your plate at each meal or for a small snack. eg, chicken & veggie stirfry on brown rice (you can make lots and portion it out for a couple meals), an apple and a string cheese for a snack (~150 cal total) stuff like that. Make sure you plan one meal or snack for right after your exercise, it's supposed to help you recover and build muscle (apparently you have a 30min window for optimal growth)

Exercise definitely helps me feel loads better- glad you're enjoying it!

[lhyne]

To gain muscle mass naturally, you must eat more meat. The right amount of protein in your diet supplemented with a rigorous workout will boost your muscle mass effectively.

[LittleFoot]

To gain muscle mass naturally, you must eat more meat. The right amount of protein in your diet supplemented with a rigorous workout will boost your muscle mass effectively.

Yes, but if calories burned > calories taken in then it won't matter.