Losing fat, NOT muscle!

nicole716
nicole716 Posts: 43 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone! :)

i'm fairly light, but i'm looking to lose about 5 pounds to reach my goal weight. However, i want to do this the right way. I want to lose fat, not muscle. but i've heard that when you're not overweight, you may lose muscle instead of fat when you lower your calorie intake, and i definitely don't want that. does anyone have any suggestions/tips on how i can lose 5 pounds of fat, and NOT muscle ? thanks :)

Replies

  • khrys1
    khrys1 Posts: 444 Member
    Be sure you're doing cardio along with strength training/weights. Don't go below 1200 calories. Good luck!
  • someday_soon
    someday_soon Posts: 37
    try to exercise while keeping your calorie intake the same (don't cut calories much, if at all). especially lifting weights mixed with cardio. this will keep your muscles and even tone them, therefore burning fat! :)
  • wildeone4
    wildeone4 Posts: 204 Member
    I would suggest doing strength training with your cardio! Are you going to a gym or doing a program at home? Message me if you need to :)
  • The_Saint
    The_Saint Posts: 358 Member
    Employ the muscle you already have. A muscle that is used, the body will less likely see fit to use it as fuel.
    Feed the muscle, Muscle needs protein. Make sure you get adequate amounts to support it.
    Perhaps instead of looking to reduce calories, increase your workouts to burn more calories.

    A few options for you :happy:
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    make sure you eat enough. Also, there really is no such thing as quick when it comes to the last few pounds if you don't want to cut fat. You should lift heavy weights. Look into doing High Intensity Interval Training. You get a cardio effect but won't lose the muscle.. I would suggest 3 days of heavy weights and 3 HIIT days ( or 2 HIIT days and a yoga/stretching day).
  • KrystleZia
    KrystleZia Posts: 17
    I just read this article which has a lot of good tips: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drsquat6.htm

    I'm the same way and one thing I'm going to try to do more of is breaking up my meals into 5 times a day (not going for more than 3 hours without eating) so that my body doesn't go into starvation mode and cling to fat. I think it will also help me not binge :)
  • pkpzp228
    pkpzp228 Posts: 146 Member
    I just read this article which has a lot of good tips: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drsquat6.htm

    I'm the same way and one thing I'm going to try to do more of is breaking up my meals into 5 times a day (not going for more than 3 hours without eating) so that my body doesn't go into starvation mode and cling to fat. I think it will also help me not binge :)

    ha funny, I just read that article yesterday. It does have some good info in it.
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