Why Fat Loss is Good and Muscle Loss is Bad

To my knowledge, there has not been a study showing that having good muscle tone is bad for you. We know that excess fat is bad for you. Therefore, the goal of any fitness/weight reduction program should be geared toward fat reduction and muscle retention.

Our bodies burn calories just to stay alive and muscle burns more calories per day than fat. If you were to go on a reduced calorie diet without taking the time to protect your muscle, some of your weight loss will be from a reduction in muscle. Once you start eating at a maintenance level, the loss in muscle means that your body does not need as many calories as it once did. Therefore this “normal” level is in fact an excess calorie diet and your weight balloons back up.

So how do you protect your muscle mass from the ravages of a reduced calorie diet? More on this later.

Thanksgiving is no time to start a reduced calorie diet. Even though I pursued activities that promoted good health, I also maintained a “healthy” appetite. But I’m back on track.

Monday (11/27) Calories were in the 2300 range although peanuts (in mass quantities) are the devil. I’m being lazy on the morning cardio, but the weight training is still in place. Tomorrow will be an indication of how well or badly I’ve been doing.

This blog is keeping me accountable, but I am wondering if I need another accountability partner.