Submit
By dotFIT experts
on October 04, 2008
Should you eat in the morning? And what if your goal is weight loss? How does breakfast affect your ability to burn fat at the gym? More...
By Registered Dietitian
on September 17, 2008
Although many people succeed at losing weight, few manage to keep the weight off for the long haul. Those who have are referred to as “successful losers” and research studies on these individuals reveal the keys to permanent weight loss. More...
By dotFIT experts
on October 07, 2008
Dieting to lose weight is difficult at best, and generally ends in frustration for the average person. The majority of people gain most of the weight back within the first year. However, there are three strategies that have consistently proven to be effective in losing weight and maintaining the loss. More...

I’m trying to lose weight. How can I make sure that I'm not burning muscle when I'm working out?

I’m trying to lose weight.  How can I make sure that I'm not burning muscle when I'm working out?


Answer: Two main factors will contribute to you burning muscle. First, if your calorie intake is too low, then your body has no choice but to break down muscle for energy. A typical weight loss plan with no exercise will allow about 26% of the weight lost to come from muscle. Adding exercise and not cutting calories too low can help prevent this loss of muscle. Second, you will use more muscle the longer your exercise session lasts. In continuous activity lasting over an hour, muscle can supply up to 10% of the energy used.

So to limit muscle loss, follow a sensible, reduced-calorie diet and maximize your cardio workouts by increasing the intensity, not just the time. Also, supplementing with a multi-vitamin and mineral and/or branched chain amino acids (BCAA), as well as proper pre and post workout eating can reduce muscle breakdown--and even increase muscle building--while trying to lose fat.

Get Your Fitness/Nutrition Advice!

chat

Need Our Help?

question_answer