I feel stronger than ever. I can crank out 12 pullups in one set with near-perfect form, starting from a dead hang, with my chin ending up several inches above the bar. I can also pause at the top and slowly lower myself down on each rep. I usually end up doing at least 30 quality pullups throughout my workout, and I'm doing them 5-6 times a week. That's the most quality pullups I've ever done, and I feel there's no better test for upper body strength than pullups.
My personal trainer measured me 3 times over an 8 week period using calipers and claims that I actually added a few pounds of muscle. I'm personally not convinced--but, also, I don't really care if I lost any muscle, because I already knew in my mind that I just wanted to shed the fat, look ripped, and have a 6 pack, and if that meant I'd lose some muscle, that was fine by me.
I was a pretty beefy guy already because I had been lifting for nearly 10 years, albeit in a caloric surplus.
Here's a "before" photo, taken about 12 months ago. I weighed 220 lbs. My opinion of myself is, I look muscular and beefy in the t-shirt, but I can see a bit of a gut, and my face looks round and full, too:
http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/espi1971/media/Mobile Uploads/image_zps9e916669.jpg.html?o=8
Here's what I look like now, at about 200 lbs. and 11% BF; I see my face looking more defined, as do my back and abs, yet I've retained plenty enough muscle mass for my liking:
http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/espi1971/media/Mobile Uploads/image_zps1e290a2d.jpg.html?o=12
http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/espi1971/media/Mobile Uploads/image_zps2aa4fe76.jpg.html?o=12
http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/espi1971/media/tn_zpsd49e6ac0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4
My trainer had me doing very little work with heavy weights, and I like the results. Couldn't care less about the amount of muscle I may have lost or gained. I just wanted to transform from a soft, bulky physique to a ripped and shredded one.
When I'm wearing a suit, I look less muscular, but when I walk the beach shirtless, I hold my own. THAT is what I wanted--to look ripped and somewhat muscular. In that order. Couldn't care less about my PR for bench and squats, etc. I currently wear a 34 inch waist and size L shirts and love it. I don't complain about my pants fitting loose and having to spend money on tailoring my suits.
In my opinion your DIET will determine if you feel weak or strong. Eat every 2-3 hours and eliminate alcohol and junk food. If you keep it up and eat clean and train hard, you can see some great results starting in 6 weeks or so.
I never believed in organic food, but I do now. Grass-fed beef; pole-caught tuna, organic brown rice, organic veggies, etc. I buy foods that have the organic label on them. But I also know that a lot of people don't believe in organic and/or don't want to spend the extra $$$$. Just make sure that you're eating the right foods with minimal ingredients. Pure, whole foods.