So, for the competitive lifter, the goal is to increase muscle, lose fat, and train specifically for limit strength and starting strength. The problem is that losing fat and gaining muscle are somewhat contradictory events, in terms of the chemistry in the human body. Some psychologists say that stress is the body s natural response to change. As powerlifters, we are always trying to change our bodies, to make them leaner, more explosive, and ultimately stronger. This is stressful on the body, and the built-in survival mechanisms in our body try to kick in.
Some people curse the mechanisms that encourage fat storage, and prevent lean muscle development.
But I am not so sure that these are a curse, given that there are many more humans on this earth striving to get enough to eat than there are striving to increase their bench press. Perhaps a noble life goal would be to stay in the latter category, and do whatever possible to help those out of the first. But, I digress. There are some basic rules of biology and physics that have been applied to the iron game. It may be helpful to think of the human body for a moment like an automobile.