Hi,
So as a newbie, I have read about the famous newbie gains. As far as my understanding, for a period of time, muscle size and strength will increase even under a caloric deficit or poor dieting. Also that if you are on a slight surplus you will loose fat anyway.
After this brief, maybe wrong, understanding I have a few questions:

Is it true? of course it seams logical that at any thing in life the first period is when the most % of knowledge increase happens.

If so how much should it last? knowing is not equal on everybody. short time? until some decent growth? or what?

Should I keep under a high protein deficit diet? or increase intake a bit as I could benefit from the muscle increase and fat loss at the same time.

Finally once again my goal is to look athletic-lean look rather than muscular. I’m 5’10 161 pounds about 16% bf. Fat basically located on my belly and legs. I’m losing about 2 pounds per week so my main current goal to drop from about 17% to 12% bf is working. In any case I don’t mind, he he gaining a few pounds of muscle in the meantime.

Thanks,
Johnny

It is just hard to give a cut and dry answer. If you lifting weight and having enough protein, you must be gaining some muscle even when you are losing weight as a beginner

Is your strength gong up or going down? I am guessing it is going up since you are a beginner.