Question:
it appears to me that i'm lossing more muscle than fat. how can i build muscle?

   — rocky506 (posted on November 23, 2003)

November 23, 2003
Tell us a little. Which surgery, when, how much lost so far? What has been your general food plan, exercise program and vitamin and protein supplement regimen?
   — vitalady

November 23, 2003
Once you are cleared for it (since I saw from your profile you are a recent post-op), weight training...JR
   — John Rushton

November 23, 2003
I went back to weight training at 9 weeks post-op however no ab work till around 6 months. This was with my surgeon's approval. However, I worked back up to the weights I was doing pre-op very slowly and carefully to make sure I didn't mess something up and end up with a hernia. It took about 6 months to get back to where I was before. I now have progressed way beyond where I was pre-op and building some nice muscle. Most noticeable in my upper back/traps/shoulders where there is little to no fat. Building muscle other places also but sort of covered by excess skin and fat right now. But not for too much longer. Come Feb, the first group of skin is history. <p>I have lost quite a bit fairly quickly and I am confident it has a lot to do with the weight training. I have done whatever walking I could tolerate and 30 minutes of weight training 2 times a week from 9 weeks PO to 7 months. Then I added in a 3rd day. I now typically walk 30-45 minutes before my weight training. The combination has helped me lose a lot of weight but also build muscle and tone. It just makes your body an efficient fat burner, so as soon as you have the clearance from your surgeon start some weight work, but go slow and cautious and listen to your body. I recently had a major pull in an area of my incision so I backed off of doing anything that used that area for a few workouts to let it settle down. I imagine it was just some scar tissue that let loose, but did not want to push it.
   — zoedogcbr

November 23, 2003
Robert, don't forget your protein. That is ALL IMPORTANT right now! Especially after the workout. It helps out body to rebuild and repair the muscle after workouts.
   — Pambylah

November 24, 2003
I work out with a personal trainer 2x a week, I also lift weights one more time on my own per week + 5 days of cardio. You have to eat a lot of protein to not lose muscle, but the plus side is that all that extra muscle burns a lot of calories during the day.
   — mrsmyranow