burning muscles

[asperge]

Hi everyone,

(I'm from Belgium, please take no attention to the language mistakes I make...)

I'm new to Atkins, and I am at the end of my first week of induction. At home I have a scale that measures fat %, muscles weight, water % and some other data (mostly irrelevant )

What I noticed is that I burn the same amount of muscles as of fat and this concerns me a lot..

my height is 6.07 feet and I had an:
initial weight of 218 lb and now 205.5 lb
76.72 lb muscles and now 71.65 lb (I lost or burned 5 lb here!!)
57.73 lb fat and now 52.18 lb (I lost 5.5 lb fat, this makes me happy)

I excercised a lot this week, but also before Atkins diet started. My training scheme this week was the following:
day 1: 25 miles of mountainbiking
day 2: rest
day 3: cardio and weight lifting
day 4: rest
day 5: cardio and weight lifting
day 6: rest
day 7: almost 1 mile of swimming

Does anyone know why I burn muscles because I'm in ketose and expect to burn my fat and not my muscles??

Kind regards,
asperge (or aspergus in English )

[liv]

Re: burning muscles

Those scales are , as my daughter would put it, stupid.
Pay no attention to those numbers. There are a few somewhat reliable ways to measure bodyfat (and therefore also muscles) a scale is not one of them
Good job on Atkins.
Welcome to ADBB

[Georgiana]

Re: burning muscles

I don't know how your scale measures muscle mass, but I'm sure it's not accurate. Low carbohydrate diets are better at conserving (or even increasing) lean body mass than high carbohydrate diets. If you go on my blog (the link is in my siggy), you can read the UConn study about changes in body composition during a LC diet.

[asperge]

Re: burning muscles

Thank you, it always felt strange that those scales could measure everything, anyway, thanks to your responses, my mind worries no more (for now so thank you

[neutronnorman]

Re: burning muscles

Are you using a body fat scale that uses a technique called Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis or BIA for short?

If so, have you standardized the test?

Are your calories high enough to sustain your workouts without going into a severe caloric deficit?

Are you consuming 1-1.5 grams protein for every lb. of Lean Body Mass you carry?

Are you getting your proteins from eggs, red meat and oily fish?

Are you eating small meals with the proper macro nutrient split every 3-4 hours?

Are you eating your measured three cups of acceptable (legal) salad greens daily?

Are you getting enough fiber?

Are you drinking plain, clean water, at least 64 oz. per day?

Are you using artificial sweeteners, or drinking diet sodas / pops, teas, etc.?

Are you using electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Powerade, Gatorade or what ever is popular in your country? If so, do not use them.

Are you supplementing with EFA's, Omega 3 and some Omega 6's and 9's?

If you are consuming a protein shake, are you consuming a whey protein isolate and making it fatty enough by adding a tablespoon of Flax oil or drinking a tablespoon of olive oil right after the protein drink? Whey protein shakes may have 3 or more grams of carbohydrate per 30 grams scoop of the bulk product. I tend to use the shake, with 3 grams CHO in it, only on occasion, usually after working out to failure, using heavy weights, in the 5 repetition range. For instance, once every three weeks when I go super heavy to determine my one repetition maximum lift on a certain compound movement.

Are you taking a multiple vitamin? (Make sure it contains no Iron and check the magnesium, calcium and phosphorus content.)

Are you using a food log like Fit Day to give you a good insight as to the macro nutrient split and the calories consumed/


You do quite a bit of cardio, which will prevent muscle mass gains. The Atkins diet, supposing your fat intake is high enough, should spare your muscle mass by decreasing protein turnover.

Are you over-trained? Do you know how to test over-training? Do you keep an accurate record of your blood pressure readings?

Other factors that influence muscle mass gains are the type of gym work outs you perform. Volume, frequency, intensity and repetition number is crucial.

You might well have to adjust your training schedule in order to benefit more from your workouts. Atkins will spike up your testosterone and growth hormone. When I started Atkins, I had come from a bodybuilding lay-off of close to 5 years+. Back in May 24th. or so, I could still get my blood pressure measured at the local pharmacy using their automated machines where you stick your arm into this plastic ring that houses the cuff. I can't stick my arm into the same machine now. My arm's circumference is larger than the machine's cuff.

[asperge]

Re: burning muscles

Hi Norman

these are the specs of my scale:

Terraillon TFA Cileo
---------------------
Body Fat Analyser graduation 0,1%
Body Water graduation 0,1 %
Bone mass measurement in kg
Muscle mass measurement in kg
Displays daily calorie requirement
Athlete mode
Data of up to 10 users stored
Alliance of materials
Reversed LCD with backlight
Weight only function
Body Fat Analyser cursor

---------------------------->

Are you using a body fat scale that uses a technique called Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis or BIA for short?

I have no idea if this is BIA

If so, have you standardized the test?

no..

Are your calories high enough to sustain your workouts without going into a severe caloric deficit?

my scale says I need 2650 cal and my average per day is 2500 cal

Are you consuming 1-1.5 grams protein for every lb. of Lean Body Mass you carry?

Almost 1 gram for every lb of LBM, my average is 145 grams

Are you getting your proteins from eggs, red meat and oily fish?

Yes

Are you eating small meals with the proper macro nutrient split every 3-4 hours?

In the weekends, yes, at work no...

Are you eating your measured three cups of acceptable (legal) salad greens daily?

Yes

Are you getting enough fiber?

I don't take extra fibers, only the fibers in the Atkins allowed vegetables like brocolli

Are you drinking plain, clean water, at least 64 oz. per day?

Yes

Are you using artificial sweeteners, or drinking diet sodas / pops, teas, etc.?

I use artificial sweetener (sacharine, cyclamaat)

Are you using electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Powerade, Gatorade or what ever is popular in your country? If so, do not use them.

Not at all

Are you supplementing with EFA's, Omega 3 and some Omega 6's and 9's?

Not the omega supplements but I take Vitamines and iron.

If you are consuming a protein shake, are you consuming a whey protein isolate and making it fatty enough by adding a tablespoon of Flax oil or drinking a tablespoon of olive oil right after the protein drink? Whey protein shakes may have 3 or more grams of carbohydrate per 30 grams scoop of the bulk product. I tend to use the shake, with 3 grams CHO in it, only on occasion, usually after working out to failure, using heavy weights, in the 5 repetition range. For instance, once every three weeks when I go super heavy to determine my one repetition maximum lift on a certain compound movement.

I have no experience with protein shakes or powders.

Are you taking a multiple vitamin? (Make sure it contains no Iron and check the magnesium, calcium and phosphorus content.)

Yes

Are you using a food log like Fit Day to give you a good insight as to the macro nutrient split and the calories consumed/

Yes


You do quite a bit of cardio, which will prevent muscle mass gains. The Atkins diet, supposing your fat intake is high enough, should spare your muscle mass by decreasing protein turnover.

Are you over-trained? Do you know how to test over-training? Do you keep an accurate record of your blood pressure readings?

I have no idea how I can test that I'm over-trained, but I suppose I am not because I sit at a desk all day (for work).

Kind regards,
asperge