Building/aiding muscles while losing weight?

[Chikahiro]

Long story short: I'm currently watching my diet and am keeping ~500 calories deficit (some days more). I am also doing light exercising so far as I've been a couch potato/desk jockey the past few years. My pushups have been improving (wall pushups, incline, and actual) so I guess I'm getting stronger. Starting to do kettlebells again as well.

I'm a little worried about whether doing both at once counter-productive or not, though.

Right now my macros seem to end up ~40% carbs, ~40% fat, and ~20% protein. I'm trying to figure out ways to increase the protein while reducing the fat. Will this be the ideal? Keep the overall calories lower, but hopefully provide the body with whatever protein it wants in case it decides to build muscle?

Trying to figure out whole foods ways to do it as well as supplements (ie, protein powder). I don't want to blow a ton of money on fancy stuff, but I don't want to be eating all day either.

[emili]

you have the right idea. usually when we lose weight there is a percentage of muscle lost along with the fat. it is just the nature of the beast. by keeping up the protein and doing activities targeted at muscles, you are at least not losing if not gaining. In order to build muscle you have to "feed" it to grow it. That's why you will hear the bulk and cut discussion for those who are building up muscle. during bulk they eat much more with the intent to gain mass in the form of muscle and fat and then they cut the fat while maintaining the muscle they bulked. I would try to lift heavier or do more reps- keep the muscles engaged to prevent losses.