BUILDING PHASE MISTAKES: WHY YOU’RE GAINING FAT & NOT MUSCLE | LEAN GAINS SERIES PART 5 | EP. 215

About this episode

In this episode, Brandon DaCruz discusses common mistakes made during a building phase that can lead to fat gain instead of muscle growth.

Most people go into a Building Phase with the right intention. But they execute it the wrong way. And that’s why they either spin their wheels…or they gain far more fat than muscle. In Part 5 of my LEAN GAINS SERIES, I break down the most common building phase mistakes that accelerate fat gain and limit muscle growth. IN THIS EPISODE, I COVER THE FOLLOWING MISTAKES: NOT STAYING IN A BUILDING PHASE LONG ENOUGH & APPROACHING IT LIKE A FAT LOSS PHASE EATING IN TOO LARGE OF A SURPLUS TAKING TOO FAST OF A RATE OF GAIN CREATING A WEEKLY SURPLUS BY UNDEREATING DURING THE WEEK & OVEREATING ON THE WEEKEND BEING TOO FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR FOOD CHOICES & EATING OUT TOO FREQUENTLY EXCESSIVE CHEAT MEALS NOT BEING CONSISTENT ENOUGH & SWINGING FROM EXTREME TO EXTREME TRYING TO INTUITIVELY EAT DURING A BUILDING PHASE If you want to build muscle without getting fat, this episode will give you the framework to run your next building phase with structure, strategy, and control. WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME: Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/ Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.com For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services…

People in this episode

Host: Brandon DaCruz

Topics covered

• building phase mistakes
• muscle growth
• fat gain
• nutrition strategy
• fitness advice

Keywords

• building phase
• muscle building
• fat loss
• nutrition
• fitness mistakes

Mentioned in this episode

Products: THE MUSCLE & STRENGTH PYRAMIDS

Books & works: LEAN GAINS SERIES

More episodes of Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast

• HOW TO TRAIN DURING A FAT LOSS PHASE TO LOSE FAT WITHOUT LOSING MUSCLE | FAT LOSS SERIES PART 2 | EP. 221 · June 10, 2026 · 42 min
• LYLE MCDONALD: FITNESS MYTHS FOR WOMEN (PART 2) — DOES FASTED CARDIO WRECK YOUR HORMONES? THE TRUTH ABOUT CORTISOL, ZONE 2 TRAINING, FAT LOSS & BIRTH CONTROL | EP. · June 3, 2026 · 1h 28m
• FAT LOSS PHASE MASTERCLASS: THE NUTRITION STRATEGY TO LOSE FAT & MAINTAIN MUSCLE | FAT LOSS SERIES PART 1 | EP. 219 · May 27, 2026 · 53 min
• LYLE MCDONALD: TRAINING MYTHS FOR WOMEN — DO FEMALES NEED TO LIFT IN THE 3-5 REP RANGE TO BUILD MUSCLE? THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFTING HEAVY, REST TIMES, EXERCISE VARIETY & MUSCLE GROWTH | EP. 219 · May 20, 2026 · 1h 34m
• WHY MOST DIETS FAIL, THE DRAWBACKS OF SWITCHING YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM TOO OFTEN & DOES CARDIO KILL MUSCLE GAIN | COACHING Q&A WITH JEFF HOEHN · May 18, 2026 · 1h 45m
• FAT LOSS FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW: CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE WITH EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES · May 13, 2026 · 24 min