gaining weight at the start

[fawkes]

so just a quick question, before i started strong lifts i was doing squats 65kg for 5x6-8 but for strong lifts i backed all my weight off to about half, so i could concentrate on form etc. so my queston is if im not lifting close to my heaviest is it still worth consuming extra calories in an attempt to gain muscle mass or is it more than likely going to be stored as fat as im not really creating a new stimulus for my muscles as such? i think thats it thanks.

[DeadStrength]

I'd use the cunningham equation to calculate calories for training and non-training days (http://stronglifts.com/forum/the-cunningham-equation-an-accurate-way-to-predict-calories-t13712.html) and for the training days ERAT, instead of using 6 for the multiple, maybe use a slightly lower multiplier like 4 or 5 (this will make sense when you are going through the post and calculating the equation). This way you're accommodating for the training but also taking into account that the weight is slightly lower. How much weight did you drop on squats?

[fawkes]

I was at 65kg, i dropped down to 40kg so i guess it wasnt quite halved but its still quite light. i dont really count calories like have a set meal plan i just eat more or eat less depending on what im doing and have a rough idea of the calories im getting in from the food im eating. but i will have a look at the link you posted thanks.