Does running a lot "eat" your muscle?

Question

I want to run the mile in track but do nto want to be a stick.

Answer 1

only if you don't support your exercise with proper nutrition and protein. take a multi-vitamin and be sure you eat plenty of protein and you'll be fine.

Answer 2

It's entirely possible to enter a catabolic state during any such exercise routine.Long distance running does very little to build muscle because it's primarily aerobic as opposed to sprinting or weight lifting that are clearly anaerobic.Once your glycogen supplies are depleted then your body only has two choices for fuel,fat and protein(in the way of lean muscle tissue).By making sure that you consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates the day before you'll optimize your glycogen storage.Getting enough protein before a run can also stave off catabolism.Protein will be your bodies primary target for energy in many cases once you've used up all of your muscle and liver glycogen.This process is known as gluconeogenisis.Good complex carbs are great for muscle glycogen and fructose(fruit sugar) is 4 times more effective in replacing liver glycogen than other carbs.Eat several times a day and follow these guidelines and you shouldn't wither away.Stay well hydrated and eat a balanced diet.Pay particular attention to nutrients like B complex,iron,calcium and potassium for best performance.The iron helps you build hemoglobin to transport oxygen to the mitochondria of the cells.

Answer 3

Running uses different muscle fibers than something like lifting weights. Your muscles will still grow, just not as dramatically. You'll wind up with tight compact muscles designed for endurance more than strength.

Running also consumes a lot of energy, so if you were trying to bulk up and increase your running distances at the same time, your body would use more energy for cardio and recovery, vs. building muscle.

Finally, muscle weighs a lot. The more you have, the harder your body will have to work. That's why most runners are skinny.

Answer 4

If you are extending a lot of energy, your body needs to get it from somewhere, if you give yourself the nutrtition that it needs so that it can run off of what you are putting in, you won't be tapping into muscle stores. A good way to ensure this is to make sure to eat a lot of protein to keep building muscle mass.

I like to tell everyone that they should be taking a really good liquid multi-vitamin supplement. An all in one supplement can help you fill in the gaps in your nutrtition and can help keep you body up to par and functioning at it's best. I've been taking this one supplement for about a year now and I've seen more stamina with my running and with my weight training. I work with a natural body builder who is using it and swears by it. He's always had a hard time keeping muscle and this is the only product that has helped him to keep his size.

Answer 5

Running eats sugar and fat. If you run a lot and don't eat right the body will also start burning muscle tissue.

The reason long distance runners are lean is because it imroves speed. But look at some of the multi discipline athletes and you'll see that it is not required.

Have fun, and don't "just run" and eat right.

Answer 6

I ran for 30 some years and never had that problem, actually lost weight since I stopped running? Figure??

Answer 7

No, I wouldn't say It does because you gain muscle as you continue running as part of your excesise, and also eating the right foods that will help you burn fat and gain muscle.

Answer 8

As long as you eat more calories than you burn, you will NOT lose weight.