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221122 tn?1323011265

Please help....lost weight but...

I have been on the Belly Fat Cure since January.  I must start by saying I was 148 pounds at 5"5 and now go between 124 and 127 depending.  I am 53 years old and have always had much thinner legs than the rest of my body.  If anyone knows this diet, it is mostly protein.  I do eat carbs, veggies, Omega 3s and have never felt better in my digestive tract.  I think I have Celiac disease, so I will not be going back to eating any other way.

My problem?  I have lost SO much weight in my legs that they look like pins.  I mean they are odd looking.  I have tried to maintain body building with them, as much as I can for my schedule, but I am losing muscle mass.  There was no fat on them to start.  I am at wit's end because I feel like a freak.  Moreover, even with this new weight, my stomach still holds a few too many inches of fat.

Is there any reason why I am losing muscle mass at such an extreme rate and is there anything I can do???  
7 Responses
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1433750 tn?1286011089
Females have a problem building & retaining lean muscle mass; its due to the innate natural hormonal system rule. Seems you lost a lot of lmm while your fatloss effortsb mainly from your legs. Increase protein intake, decrease carbs intake - indulge in stairwork exercises to increase lean musle back to your legs while keeping off extra fat pounds... keep wired.

All the best

Parth adhyaru
Helpful - 0
1339332 tn?1329854366
Unfortunately, fat deposition is sometimes hereditary...it goes where your genes tell it to go. Look at J-Lo or Beyonce: tiny all over except for their butts! All of the advice you've been given above is good: eat right, get enough protein, do weight training (squats, lunges, stair climbing, leg extensions and curls, walking uphill will all help develop leg muscles to give a more balanced appearance to your legs). As Barb said, however, if you are certain you are losing muscle despite adequate protein intake, you should see your doctor to 1) confirm that you have celiac sprue and 2) assure you have no other disease process going on. Are you on any steroid medications? They can cause muscle wasting and the deposit of fat around the abdomen and back. Also, though it is unlikely since you state your proportionately thin legs are a long-standing issue, not something new, Cushing's Disease or Cushing's Syndrome can cause thin extremities and a fatter middle. Even some meds that are not steroids can have steroid-like/cortisol-like effects on the body, so it's probably advisable to check in with your health care professional. Good luck to you!
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
You don't have to go to a gym to get good exercise or be healthy.  It does sound like you need some exercise, other than leg lifts, though.  Some crunches or stretching ; Have you ever tried yoga?  It's very relaxing and since it centers on balance and stretching, it can help tone all of your muscles.  You can do a web search and come up with all types of exercises you can do for free.  

Protein is what helps build muscles, so make sure you get enough.  You also need low/no fat dairy and the "good" fats that come from avocados, olive oil, nuts, etc.  

If you are certain that you are losing muscle, you should see your doctor to rule out a medical condition.  There are also tests that can be run to find out if you really do have celiac.  Unless you do, you can actually do damage by eliminating whole grains, which are generally considered to be part of a healthy diet.

In addition, celiac is an autoimmune disease and having one autoimmune disease increases the chance that you have/will get another.  
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
Thanks.  I do think I eat enough calories, no worries.  I just don't understand how much you can possibly lose in just legs!  I've never seen anything like it.  Everything else looks okay.  I can't really afford to go to a gym so I do a lot of leg lifts.  I don't get it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Helps to switch it up a bit. When you walk everyday for several weeks your body gets so used to it that you no longer burn as many calories. Same with eating. If you eat 1,400 calories a day your body will get used to it and won't loose weight. If you deity it up like one day it's 1,500 another day 1,300 then 1,200 then 1,400 ect you'll keep loosing weight as long as you don't eat more calories than you need per day more than once a week. If you do go over once a week or once every other week it's fine and won't effect it much. It might actually help and your body will feel that it can let go of the weight.
Helpful - 0
621085 tn?1614300231
I'm not sure about your diet but I can tell you when you lose it it's not always were you want. I'm thick through my middle and my butt is as flat as a pancake. I do strength training and am very fit.  I never had this trouble before till I had three kids, lost weight and aged 15 years.

As for you losing muscle, I know when when you lift a lot and stop or slow down you lose muscle. If it continues I would go to the doc and see what's up.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How many calories are you eating? If you are in too much of a calorie deficit you could start burning muscle instead of fat. And you are weight lifting (heavy weights) correct?
Helpful - 0
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