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low body fat

effalunt Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/10/17	2003/07/02, 12:05 PM What is the point of leanness at which it becomes difficult for a woman to gain muscle? I can't find anything about it in any of my notes or books. I measured in at 12.3% last month, and I think I'm a little leaner since then. Essential fat for women is around 12%, so if I'm lower, is that going to hurt my progress? I have been making visible gains in the last few weeks, and getting tons of compliments, but as my muscle goes up, my body fat keeps going down. I'm eating a ton! A typical day looks like this -meal one:low fat granola with almonds and skim milk fat free, sugar free yogurt (egg whites if I'm training early) -meal two:tuna fish on whole grain bread fruit -meal three:pasta with chicken and tomato sauce fruit or veggies -meal four:8 oz of fish, chicken or turkey baked potato and fat free sour cream (or brown whole grain rice) veggies fat free pudding or 1 oz. dark chocolate -meal five:(post-gym)6 egg whites fat free grilled cheese sandwich (no butter) fruit It seems to be enough for me to eat, I'm only 5'3", 115 pounds with shoes on. I just can't seem to keep my body fat on. I'm into being lean for the summer, but I also need to gain about 10 pounds of muscle somehow. Hopefully someone will know how to help me. -------------- Think you can or think you can't; either way you're right--Goethe
azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/07/02, 06:41 PM From what I've heard it seems that as you increase your muscle mass, you also have to increase your caloric/protein intake to sustain it. More muscle=more food. -------------- ~Victoria~ ...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
Philia2 Posts: 4,078 Joined: 2001/10/19	2003/07/03, 02:21 AM Drink some more milk, throw in a couple of protein shakes and snack on some almonds or nuts during the day. You'll definitely need to put on at least 2-3% of body fat to put on muscles. Now what else can help you to keep your body anabolizing is to take some pure amino acids and creatine. -------------- - Nina :o) Les Victoires éternelles sont celles du coeur.