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General Running

Richard N.
Richard N. Sendmail

Muscle loss

asked 9 months ago | Report

Hi DM family,

I recently completed a 10 k (May) and shortly afterwards people began commenting on my weight loss. I didn't think anything of it until more and more people starting to say that look like I had lost muscle. I ended up losing about 8 pounds from the time I started training for the 10 k. Is there a way to counter balance muscle loss or is it inevitable? I really enjoyed training for the 10, but I'm worried about losing too much weight if I were to do another race.

Thanks

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5 answers

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  • Marsi K.
    Marsi K. Sendmail

    Check your protein intake would be my first guess. There's a number of shakes and supplements that can help with retaining muscle too. (Talk to your doc.)

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Andrew W.
    Andrew W. Sendmail

    Running will cause weight loss and, yes, it can cause muscle loss, if you don't eat properly. I am not sure what other training you are currently doing (assuming you are doing weights do to the muscle loss comment) but consider taking a look at calories in versus calories burnt in exercise. You most likely need to add more calories to your diet. As Marsi said, protein is a good place to start, especially post workout. Also, talk with your doctor. They should be able to help you get weight loss and muscle loss in check.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Dustin Q.
    Dustin Q. Sendmail

    In order to maintain muscle, you need to eat enough protein, enough CALORIES, and it's also not a bad idea to do some strength training, nothing hard, just enough to maintain what you already have.

    Search for Scooby1961 on youtube to see a 51 year old bodybuilder who does a LOT of endurance training ( just completed a 200 mile bike race and a half ironman ) yet still maintains his bodybuilding physique.

    Also, google "scooby's workshop" for his website, all free, honest information rather than hype, and paying anything.

    Good luck!

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Justyn R.
    Justyn R. Sendmail

    everyone hit it on the head. more protein is the most important thing. after a hard run, don't be afraid to add carbs with your protein too. the muscle will readily take them and they help build muscle too.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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  • Lamond V.
    Lamond V. Sendmail

    If all of your runs are at about the same pace, you are more likely to lose muscle. Running a variety of workouts, making sure some include some interval training or sprints, will help prevent muscle loss.

    answered 9 months ago |Report

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