I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

[SkaPaladin]

If this is in the wrong place, feel free to move it to where it needs to be.

My question is pertaining to adjusting body shape.

When I was younger, I was a pretty slender guy, of course, I'm talking about before I got into high school. But, I broke my ankle the summer before, and I got my cast off right before school started, and with my doctors note, I was supposed to sit out of gym for 6 weeks, while it finished healing. One of my coaches wasn't the friendliest guy, so he forced me to walk around the track everyday, since I couldn't participate. This only made the fracture worse, and I had to get another cast, and the principal took me out of that class, and put me in choir.

Well, to make a short story longer, this pretty much changed my lifestyle from an active one, to one a little more sedentary.

Now, I'm kinda stocky, and I'm told that I carry my weight well, but I don't want to be nearly as stocky as I am. I want to go back to being slender, and I'm not sure if there is a way that I can go about doing it. Are there certain exercises I could do so my muscle doesn't build as much while I still burn fat? I mean, I know the more muscle you have, the more weight you lose, but even if it means sacrificing a little, I'd be willing to, if it meant I went back to my old body type.

And, I know it's possible, because I had a friend that did it, but he ate nothing but salads, and I think his lack of protein forced his body to feed on his muscles. I don't want to do that, but if that's the sacrifice I have to make, is there a safe way to do it? Should I lose the weight first, and then convert my muscle? Or should I just give it up, and settle for what my body decides to do?

[sombersusie]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

umm, well atkins isn't about just eating salads.... just eat atkins the way you should and you'll lose weight that way. As for excersising, i'd say stick to more cardio things if you don't want to build bulky muscles. Walking, running, swimming stuff like that.

[big_bad_john]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

Running and cycling are the main activities that cause you to become slim. Boxing too but I wouldnt even go there if I were you...

[big_bad_john]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

Oh and maybe you should look around this site to see what the Atkins diet is all about...

Did you know that if youre on Atkins you actually burn your own fat for fuel?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[SkaPaladin]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

Oh, I already know a lot of information on the Atkins WOL, got the book, read through, and all that fun stuff. And I have a pretty good idea of how it works, which is why I brought up the subject of exercise.

The only problem is, I want to be slender like I used to be, but because of the muscle I have gained, in addition to the weight, the only way to possibly reach my goal, would be to lose some of that muscle.

My friend ate nothing but salads, no meat, and I think he lost his muscle mass, because his body cannibalized on his own muscle for protein. I don't want to do that, which is why I asked if there was a way to reduce the muscle size without forcing your body to harm itself.

[Tired of Chub]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

Swimming is great. Ever look at the typical swimmers body? long and lean usually. Might also sound weird to suggest it to a guy butyoga and pilates will help with that long lean look as well. There are lots of decent DVDs out there on yoga and pilates and most YMCA's have classes with one or both.

[Isabeau]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

Unless you're doing some major weight training, I really don't think you're gonna bulk up your muscles. The important thing is to be active. You'll be toned, not ripped with muscle. You won't lose muscle mass if you're following your Atkins as 30% protein is more then fine for healthy muscles and tissue. Find activities that you enjoy and commit to doing them!

[donkey23]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

If this is in the wrong place, feel free to move it to where it needs to be.

My question is pertaining to adjusting body shape.

When I was younger, I was a pretty slender guy, of course, I'm talking about before I got into high school. But, I broke my ankle the summer before, and I got my cast off right before school started, and with my doctors note, I was supposed to sit out of gym for 6 weeks, while it finished healing. One of my coaches wasn't the friendliest guy, so he forced me to walk around the track everyday, since I couldn't participate. This only made the fracture worse, and I had to get another cast, and the principal took me out of that class, and put me in choir.

Well, to make a short story longer, this pretty much changed my lifestyle from an active one, to one a little more sedentary.

Now, I'm kinda stocky, and I'm told that I carry my weight well, but I don't want to be nearly as stocky as I am. I want to go back to being slender, and I'm not sure if there is a way that I can go about doing it. Are there certain exercises I could do so my muscle doesn't build as much while I still burn fat? I mean, I know the more muscle you have, the more weight you lose, but even if it means sacrificing a little, I'd be willing to, if it meant I went back to my old body type.

And, I know it's possible, because I had a friend that did it, but he ate nothing but salads, and I think his lack of protein forced his body to feed on his muscles. I don't want to do that, but if that's the sacrifice I have to make, is there a safe way to do it? Should I lose the weight first, and then convert my muscle? Or should I just give it up, and settle for what my body decides to do?

I hear that line all the time too. My question to those people are "Do you want to carry it for me?". As far as your friend losing muscle mass by eating only salads that's because he wasn't getting any protein.

[fawn]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

In looking at what you have to lose, I think you will be surprised at what this wol naturally does for you. I'm not sure at this point that "muscle mass" will be a concern for you. Muscle burns fat as well so it doesn't make sense to try to break down your muscle tissue if you haven't built it through lifting. actually, it's dangerous. Lose your fat and see what your body looks like. With proper diet and cardio your body will start to lean out.

[sadie@136]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

exercise plus diet.
do your exerccises and loose weight infat u will gain muscles better this way.without exhausting your body too much.

[2big4mysize]

Re: I'm not exactly sure where to post this...

you are going to be surprized how your "Muscles" lose weight on Atkins cause their is body fat in those areas too.

your frind 'eat organ proteins too and damaged his so do not even think about canabolizing your muscles at this point. Muscle mass has a lot to do with genetics and hormones. your levels of hormones will determine your build regarding muscle bulk.when your 100 pounds are gone you will be amazed at what you have gotten changed. you can even do weight training and not grow larger muscles but burn off the fat and firm up what you got if you don't push heavy weights.


Happy low carbing.