Burning muscle?

[ducky]

Im trying to do everything right. I've been working out between 4 and 6 days a week with varied rotations that look something like:

PUB
PLB
cardio ands abs
Leaner legs (Did S&H for 3 weeks) or rest day
PS upper (or S&H)
cardio and abs
rest day

I've been doing this for 3 months with 3 or 4 days of workout in the beginning, up to 5 or 6 now. I think I'm becoming *squishier* lately though. My abs are firming ok but my legs have pinches of fat that I thought were going away nicely earlier. I'm eating more calories now (about 1800 a day) and the scale has stayed the same, I haven't gained any pounds. I eat pretty clean... except for my coffee and a few splurges here and there. I have a yogurt and cottage cheese before workout and a protien shake after workout. I drink tons of water.

I don't understand how I could be getting softer with more blatent pinches of body fat when I'm trying so hard to firm up.... unless I'm burning muscle. Any comments or advise? I really appreaciate it thanks for reading.

Pam

 

[hippahips]

Pam, I just had to reply to your post. You say you're eating more calories now. Are you trying to gain muscle?

When I was trying to gain mass and strength, I did more or less the same routine as yours and ate more calories than usual. I got great results. I became stronger than I ever thought possible. The downside for me was that I was gaining flab around the middle because of the higher number of calories and the fewer cardio sessions. After two months of this, I started mixing it up by putting in a lot of circuit-type workouts into my routines. I also ate less calories, but made sure I was getting enough protein during the day. I leaned out in about a month.

Having said that, I think it would be a good idea for you to start mixing it up. You've been doing this routine for a while now, and your body may have gotten so used to the moves that your workouts are no longer that efficient. Replace PLB with some kickboxing. KPC is a great workout, and there are premixes in the KPC/L&G DVD that you can use (do you have this, btw?) so you don't get bored with just these two workouts. Do some crosstraining and circuit training. I myself am not fond of this type of workout, but I do them when necessary. It somehow shocks my system and gets it to work harder.

Just some thoughts based on my experience. I bet you'll get other suggestions and comments as well. I hope you find what works best for you.

Pinky