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By Mary Hartley, RD
Director of Nutrition

Will my muscle turn to fat if I exercise less?
Asked by anonymous on Feb 12, 2008 in Fitness



I've lost 25 pounds and I'm ready to maintain, but I'm confused about exercise. Will I GET RIPPED if I continue to exercise 55 minutes a day 4-6 times a week or will my new muscle turn to fat if I exercise less?


Answer

Muscle does not turn to fat; unused muscle is broken down and the protein is recycled.  But two to threee days of training every week should be enough to maintain your muscle mass and new weight.  You might have the type of body that builds muscle easily, but you won't bulk up because women don't have the hormones needed to build big muscles.  For weight maintenance, it is very important to do cardio-type exercise in your target heart rate zone for at least 30 minutes on most day of the week.

 

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