Five Tips to Maintain Muscle and Boost Fat Loss

Adopt an exercise plan that incorporates cardiovascular exercise along with weight training. Do not overdo cardiovascular exercise—it can damage the muscle fibers that you are working so hard to build and maintain. Do your weight training first followed by your cardio if you are doing them both on the same day. This will ensure your strength is at a maximum for lifting and you will continue to burn fat during your cardio session.

Eat protein with every meal, eat every three hours and skip the sugar. Protein is the building block of muscle and it is essential for repair after workouts. Complete your meal with low-glycemic carbohydrates.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) has been found in studies to increase the loss of body fat (particularly around the abdomen) while maintaining muscle mass. This supplement should be taken for at least three months before stopping–it works, just not right away! Typical dosage is about 1500 mg two times per day.

7-Keto DHEA is an exciting new product that has been found in research to prevent the decline in metabolic rate that naturally tends to occur with a reduction in caloric intake or dieting.

Keep stress levels manageable. Elevated levels of stress hormone (cortisol) can have a negative effect on body composition by increasing the breakdown of muscle mass and increasing the deposition of fat around the abdomen. Relora is an herbal compound found to be effective in keeping stress hormone levels balanced and reducing abdominal fat. Phosphatidylserine may also help reduce stress hormone levels and protect body tissues, such as the brain and muscles from the negative effects of stress