Can You Really Gain Weight While in a Deficit? a Redditor's Weight Loss Journey

A Reddit user, ddsukituoft, posted a thread titled M/26/5'8 [128lbs > 163lbs = +35lbs] (6 months) (Nov 2021 > Apr 2022) Started weightlifting everyday, eating exactly 1750 calories weighing all food, with TDEE between 2000 and 2200) Happy with muscular gains but why did I gain so much belly fat even in a deficit? :( Should I cut?

Several comments on the thread pointed out that gaining 35 pounds in six months while in a calorie deficit is not possible. According to the first law of thermodynamics, mass cannot be created out of nothing. Therefore, the user had to be eating more calories than they claimed they were.

One theory is that the user's rapid weight loss before their bulk caused their metabolism to slow down. As such, when they increased their calorie intake, their body wasn't burning it off as efficiently as it could be. The solution may be to eat at a slight deficit rather than trying to bulk or cut.

Several users recommended incorporating more cardio into their workout routine, either by adding in runs or doing 30 minutes of cardio three times a week. Adding core exercises and increasing weightlifting efforts may also help burn off some of the fat.

While the Reddit user struggled with gaining belly fat while in a calorie deficit, it's worth noting that calorie counting techniques can be inaccurate. To avoid any discrepancies, it's advisable to be precise while weighing food and to consult a nutritionist or a professional trainer for recommendations.