Of course you can. I done it so many times on clients during contest dieting I've lost count. Total myth that you can't lose muscle while losing fat.
No offense aaron, but jim, i wouldnt give advice to this guy. He obviously isnt taking this contest prep seriously, he admitted earlier in the thread to cheating all weekend on his diet while being about 8 weeks out from a contest and behind where he should be in condition.
Thats great though for aaron, it should be all about fun and having a good time. People take competing way too seriously, especially at the local and state levels, they lose relationships, jobs, and savings accounts over a plastic trophy and if your lucky a sword. More power to you singerman, just do what makes u happy.
And lastly, A to the sling, i saw earlier u talked about being 225 onstage bla bla bla........Dont worry bout how much u weigh dude, Bob Paris was 6' feet tall and was 220 onstage, and IMO he was the greatest to ever put on a thong and oil.