maintaining muscle without weightlifting

[benney]

hi kerry ,

is it possible to maintain my muscle without lifting weights? im currently a a low cal diet and im doing some cardio too.

if i get enough protein in is it possible i could maintain my muscle even though im not lifting

thanks

[kerrykayes]

kk - Muscle is stored protein and body fat is stored energy normally from carbs and fats but in other circumstances it can also be from protein. Simplistically you would think that if I eat enough protein then my body has no need to cannibalise it's stored protein which is muscle, then cut back on my energy foods and my body has to cannibalise its stored energy (body fat) and I'll get leaner and keep all my muscle.

Lifting weights also keeps your muscles efficient (progressive stress) and therefore your muscles are firmer and taught. If you don't lift weights, you will definitely lose that muscle tone and your words "you are on a low Kcal diet" if your body is lacking in energy and you carry on doing cardio you could end up with low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and as your body cannot make sugar from body fat, it goes into emergency mode called gluconeogenesis which means that it will use glycoletic amino acids in the liver to synthesise sugar. Those amino acids can come from muscle.

I don't know what your goal is but I am guessing you are not lifting weights so you can put some more energy into cardio to lose body fat. Trust me, do 50:50. and eat a sensible diet, and the results will come.