Protein Basics for Strength Training and Fat Loss

Those of you who follow PNP know that strength training is VITAL to losing fat and reshaping your body. Even on Oprah yesterday they discussed it as one of the MAJOR factors to successfully losing weight and keeping it off through your boomer years. I published to the website an interesting article regarding protein because if you want to see results in your body you must do two things: strength train and feed your body the right amounts of protein. 

Click here to see my article on the website regarding the Power of Protein.

Now, let's talk about some myths of protein (these came from the Nov/Dec 07 issue of Her's Muscle and Fitness):

1. Some people say too much protein is toxic. The Food and Nutrition Board lists no tolerable upper intake level (UL, the amount of something you can ingest before experiencing negative results such as nausea, toxicity, or poisoning) for protein. That's because there's no data to suggest a UL is needed for protein.

2. Some say eating too much protein can make you fat. Or course eating too much of anything while sedentary can make you fat. But, increased protein for an active person can enhance fat loss. The key: you must be active and work it into your daily calories with lean sources of protein.

3. There's the claim that too much protein can cause kidney damage, based on a concern over the nitrogen attached to amino acids. When you break down amonio acids your body creates ammonia, which has to be removed by the kidneys via urine. Research shows healthy adults have no reason to be concerned about this, since eating more than 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day causes no negative markers on kidney health.

4. Some say high protein can have a negative effect on bone health. The latest research shows the opposite is true - a high protein intake can make bones stronger.

So, let's get our protein in and do it with lean forms. Read the article and I hope it answers lots of your questions.

Workout Journal: I did a back workout yesterday - 6x12 Close Grip Pullups, 3x10 Lat Pulldowns, 3x10 Wide Pushdowns, 3x10 single DB Rows, Ab work and then 25 min. of TM work with side shuffles, backwards walking, and incline running. Today was a 40 min. Vegas Strip run and I will be doing chest at noon.