Originally posted here by M/S Vin


The most workout I've done lately is just walking and running once in a while. I try to sneak in exercise in between my daily routine, such as doing jumping jacks, push ups, sit ups when I'm waiting for something to download or when Im just watching TV and waiting for the commercials to be over. With exercise consistency is the key and I try not to make it too long . Since spending too much aerobic exercise would lessen the results, my body would end up burning muscle instead of fat. Which isn't good since muscles are a fat burning furnace. So when I find the time to run or jog I limit it to 30-35 minutes. Or I would go to the mall and window shop, just walk around for about an hour. The gym is also great, not to mention a good place to meet new friends.
I've heard that about your body burning muscle if you don't have enough ready-made energy to burn (ie sugars, carbohydrates, etc), but my doctor told me that anything less than 20 minutes of sustained aerobic exercise with an elevated heart rate won't help your heart really at all. You may be helping your muscles a bit, but your heart is a muscle, too, and heart disease is one of the top killers among men in the US. Don't forget to take care of your heart!
It would seem to me that you could combat the burning of muscle by finding a happy medium of calories eaten and calories burned. You may even need to start consuming more healthy calories to prepare for the extra calories being burned. You could probably also help your muscles by increase your daily intake of protein. The Body For Life program recommends this. They also recommend consuming 6 smaller meals per day rather than the usual 3 large ones.