How can I make sure my body is burning fat not muscle mass

zealey77
zealey77 Posts: 104
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, did anyone see the BBC doc 'Fat vs Sugar' last night on TV? It was fascinating, but it left me with a few unanswered questions. Namely, if I'm eating at a calorie deficit to lose weight, how can I ensure my body is using the lack of calories to burn my fat reserves and not my lean muscle mass?
Are there special foods or food groups that help with this?
I exercise 5 times a week - a mix of jogging, cycling and push-ups.
Thanks for any advice.

Replies

  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    Eating enough protein and lifting heavy will help preserve your muscle mass while cutting.
  • suppakana
    suppakana Posts: 307 Member
    You can't.

    By lifting you can "build" muscle while burning it; but there's no way to tell your body "use THIS for fuel - NOT that!"
  • cajuntank
    cajuntank Posts: 924 Member
    Hi, did anyone see the BBC doc 'Fat vs Sugar' last night on TV? It was fascinating, but it left me with a few unanswered questions. Namely, if I'm eating at a calorie deficit to lose weight, how can I ensure my body is using the lack of calories to burn my fat reserves and not my lean muscle mass?
    Are there special foods or food groups that help with this?
    I exercise 5 times a week - a mix of jogging, cycling and push-ups.
    Thanks for any advice.

    The only proven way that you will find is eating enough protein and giving your muscles enough stimulus. Here a good link explaining in more detail.

    http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/how-to-lose-fat-without-losing-muscle/
  • QuentinHardage
    QuentinHardage Posts: 21
    if strength weakens, then increase healthy foods slightly.
  • djeffreys10
    djeffreys10 Posts: 2,312 Member
    Eating enough protein and lifting heavy will help preserve your muscle mass while cutting.

    This
    You can't.

    By lifting you can "build" muscle while burning it; but there's no way to tell your body "use THIS for fuel - NOT that!"

    But sooooooo much NOT this.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    ...how can I ensure my body is using the lack of calories to burn my fat reserves and not my lean muscle mass?
    Are there special foods or food groups that help with this?

    - Don't eat at an excessive caloric deficit.
    - Stay active
    - Ensure sufficient protein intake

    Beyond that, the body will do what it does.
  • _hillary_
    _hillary_ Posts: 5 Member
    It's always been my understanding that fat is a more readily available energy source than muscle - it is easier to break down. So, the body will generally choose what it can use more efficiently, which is fat. And yes, you should encourage the continued maintenance of existing muscle through protein consumption and using the muscle.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Eating enough protein and lifting heavy will help preserve your muscle mass while cutting.

    Yes.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/weight-training-for-fat-loss-part-1.html

    And 0.8 - 1 gram pf protein per pound of lean body mass.
  • bitshred
    bitshred Posts: 24 Member
    I have the same worry. Good topic here. And I think others already summed it up. Basically you will lose muscle, I am already losing muscle.
    And like they said, you need to eat protein and lift weights. I am starting to add more weights in myself. But I accept that I will lose some muscle with the deficit I am at. I'm more worried about the fat. So once I have that all gone, I can always work on the muscle mass.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Lift weights and eat a lot of protein... If you do that it sort of signals to your body that you're actually using your muscles and you want it to take energy from your fat instead.
  • RivenV
    RivenV Posts: 1,667 Member
    You can't.

    By lifting you can "build" muscle while burning it; but there's no way to tell your body "use THIS for fuel - NOT that!"
    I+am+intrigued+by+your+logic.+Please+continue+_ed4eed1443f7c696a0540f3fcb3671bf.jpg
    Staaaaahp!

    Eat enough protein; consider .8-1 gram per pound of lean body mass. Also, consider taking up lifting.
  • shimmygirl411
    shimmygirl411 Posts: 100 Member
    Pretty sure I haven't been getting enough protein (though I have been lifting). Must increase the protein! Thanks for the reminder everyone!

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