Why does this happen to me????

[bomichaels]

I'm in the process of dieting down and I have added 2-3 30 minute walks to my weight training to aid in fat loss. However, I'm losing definition and my muscles barely contract anymore. When I lift weights I can't get a pump at all anymore!! This has happened in the past when I have done a lot of cardio. I'm consuming about 250 to 300 grams of protein a day and drink plenty of water. My muscles feel like plato and I have lost all the hardness to them. This is so frustrating!!! I want to be lean but I can't seem to succeed the way I want to.

Has anyone ever experienced this trying to lose fat?

[skibbi9]

I'm in the process of dieting down and I have added 2-3 30 minute walks to my weight training to aid in fat loss. However, I'm losing definition and my muscles barely contract anymore. When I lift weights I can't get a pump at all anymore!! This has happened in the past when I have done a lot of cardio. I'm consuming about 250 to 300 grams of protein a day and drink plenty of water. My muscles feel like plato and I have lost all the hardness to them. This is so frustrating!!! I want to be lean but I can't seem to succeed the way I want to.

Has anyone ever experienced this trying to lose fat?

the fact that your muscles feel like playdough, no pump, contractions should have nothing to do with you doing a few 30 minute walks.

There must be certain other factors. Whats your diet in general? that's quite a bit of protein on a cut, how many cals overall?
Are you taking vits, aminos, anything else?

I don't know the situation but some of it might be mental, bad cut diet catching up with you, or lack of sleep

[nithos]

How much did you cut back carbs?

[bomichaels]

8:00am - Oatmeal mixed w/50 gram protein powder, almonds, & raisens.

10am - 3 MS vegetable sausages (30 grams of protein)

12pm - Turkey sandwich (30 grams of protein)\

2pm - Protein bar (30 grams of protein)

4pm - Protein drink (50 grams of protein)

7pm - 10 egg whites, bowl of spinach, & 1 apple (60 grams protein)

10 pm - Protein shake (50 grams of protein)

Sleep is about 7 to 8 hours per night.

[nithos]

What's the total calories and macros on that?

What did your diet look like when your muscles felt "normal"?

[skibbi9]

not too much in solid food and a lack of good fats in that diet.

no chicken/tuna/meat?

[bomichaels]

Total calories run about 2500. I do take flax seed oil 3 times a day plus I have almonds. I felt more muscle fullness before I started the walking program? I also take a multivitamin, B12, vitamin C, and amino's.

[|ceman]

How much did you cut back carbs?

This is the key! Carbs not only give your muscle fullness and hardness, but also are a big factor in providing the 'pump'.

Even when dieting down, you can retain the benefits of carbs in your workout by careful carb timing.

Basically, you can do this:

Breakfast - complex carbs
Preworkout - complex carbs
Postworkout - simple carbs
All other meals - only fibrous carbs or no carbs

The exact portion sizes depend a lot on your calorie intake and macros, but you get the idea. Even on a low carb cutting diet, you should still be able to get a good pump if you time your carbs correctly.

[liftjunkie06]

This is the key! Carbs not only give your muscle fullness and hardness, but also are a big factor in providing the 'pump'.

Even when dieting down, you can retain the benefits of carbs in your workout by careful carb timing.

Basically, you can do this:

Breakfast - complex carbs
Preworkout - complex carbs
Postworkout - simple carbs
All other meals - only fibrous carbs or no carbs

The exact portion sizes depend a lot on your calorie intake and macros, but you get the idea. Even on a low carb cutting diet, you should still be able to get a good pump if you time your carbs correctly.

Yep

[HerveDuchemin]

This is the key! Carbs not only give your muscle fullness and hardness, but also are a big factor in providing the 'pump'.

Even when dieting down, you can retain the benefits of carbs in your workout by careful carb timing.

Basically, you can do this:

Breakfast - complex carbs
Preworkout - complex carbs
Postworkout - simple carbs
All other meals - only fibrous carbs or no carbs

The exact portion sizes depend a lot on your calorie intake and macros, but you get the idea. Even on a low carb cutting diet, you should still be able to get a good pump if you time your carbs correctly.

Yep x2