question on retaining mass

[ZGzaZ]

Here's something I don't understand, I'm sure someone on here can explain it to me to make sense. I hear so much about when dieting losing muscle mass....this is obvious, but if your protein intake is the same when bulking as when cutting would you lose muscle mass still? if so, why? I would think that as long as calories are cut below mainteance, but protein stays the same that you would retain all your muscle mass and drop body fat. Clue me in boys

 

[mrzap]

Well think about it...maintenance calories are what your body needs to keep its current body mass (including muscle). If you are below that then you will be losing a little bit of everything. High protein intake definetly helps though.

 

[muscleup]

another thing to remember is that not everyone is the same...especially in terms of diet...Like myself, I can not use low carb diets,I can have my protein @350-400 per day and still lose a shit load of mass on these types of diets...

 

[serbyte]

Eat very healthy with a small calorie surplus, and workout and you should gain only muscle before you put on fat.

 

[ZGzaZ]

thanks..but that wasnt my question...

 

[variation]

like mrzap said; let's say your metabolic rate is like 3000 calories/day on average...

you can eat 200 grams of protein (800 calories) now let's say you eat 100 grams of fat, that's 900 calories, so we're at 1700 now, and then you eat 200 grams of carbs another 800, we are now at a total of 2500 calories, but our metabolism burns 3000 for the day, so -500 calories, where do you think the calories will come from? it has to come from somewhere... soo....

either your fat stores or protein stores (muscle), or you could have pre-existing glycogen stores, but they will eventually deplete..

I think they key lies in supplying your body with the right amount of protein and protein catalysts at times where anabolism can occur, and maitaning good ratios at other times.. even with catabolic side of protein turnover; if you've gained small amounts you could still keep the same amount of muscle.

there's also the whole supplement side of the story... it gets quite elaborate.. but experimentation is key;