[Avalon1957]

I measured my fat loss with a Tanita Body Fat Scale

According to the scale, for the past 9 pounds of body weight loss,
I have lost:

- 6 pounds of Fat
- 2 pounds of water
- 1 pound of Lean Body Weight (I am guessing muscle)

I think these numbers are about right considering how fast I am losing inches off my waistline (about 1" a week)

Here is my question:

Is losing SOME muscle to be expected on the IP Diet?

I would think that a 6:1 (Fat:Muscle) Loss Ratio is pretty darn good!

But that being said, is some muscle loss just to be "expected" with any diet, including IP?

Do other people lose at least a little bit of muscle as you lose weight?
Or is the ultimate goal of the IP diet to lose absolutely 0 (NO) muscle mass and all fat (and water) mass?

My daily protein intake is around 107 grams per day
My current weight is 301.75 pounds and I am 6'4" tall.
I wonder if I should increase my protein intake?
Would that have prevented the 1 pound of muscle loss?
Or maybe 1 pound of muscle lost vs. 6 pounds of fat lost is no big deal.

Any input from others would be appreciated!

[JohnP]

With respect - those scales are not accurate.

I don't know how long you have been dieting but if it is one week than it is extremely unlikely that you lost any muscle.

As for how to maintain muscle, you should increase protein intake and you should lift weights. Weight lifting with low volume and high intensity (weight) seems to be the most effective.

None of this has anything to do with the IP diet. I'm just answering your question of how to maintain your muscle. The IP diet makes no differentiation between a 4'9" sedentary female and a 6'4" power lifting male whom clearly have different protein needs.

[FrostyBobber]

John - I am almost done with my first month of IP.. do you think I can start lifting weights again? If so should I do heavy or light and just do more reps? Do I increase my protein so I don't stall?

My coach is clueless..no one at the clinic has expierence with weights.. so...

[lisa32989]

Lean mass would be everything that is not fat.
This includes blood vessels, bone, organs, skin, water, EVERYTHING.

John is right that the scales aren't accurate and they should be viewed with a grain of salt. Additionally, a reduction in lean mass doesn't necessarily mean we are losing muscle.

Also remember, it takes less skin, blood vessels, AND muscle to support less weight.

[JohnP]

Originally Posted by FrostyBobber

John - I am almost done with my first month of IP.. do you think I can start lifting weights again? If so should I do heavy or light and just do more reps? Do I increase my protein so I don't stall?

My coach is clueless..no one at the clinic has expierence with weights.. so...

If you want to retain as much muscle as possible yes, you should lift. However, you should keep the volume low. Heavy weight, low volume. (Low Rep) If you normally do 3 sets of 10 you should be doing a heavier weight and 2 sets of 6.

You're going to "stall" because you're retaining more muscle. Your weight loss will be slower because you're retaining more muscle. Fat loss should be unaffected.

Adding a packet after you workout is a good idea.

[Avalon1957]

Thanks for all the input everyone!!

That is all very helpful info