I’m right there with you, I’m currently cutting down and I still have twinges of protein guilt. It’s unbelievable that it still affects us so much.

There is really no chance that you are ‘losing muscle’. If you need more proof then take your measurements (arms, shoulders, legs etc), as well as a log of your strength in the gym. If both of these are staying relatively constant then that is another way to confirm to yourself that you’re doing ok. (might as well if it’ll help get rid of your protein guilt)

JB

No I’m definately not planning on fasting 3 times a week forever. I’ve tried it a couple of times with great fat loss results. I was concerned as I was eating on average less than 70 grams of protein per day (about 410 grams (estimated guess -give or take 100g maybe haha) over 7 days when i fasted 3 times in a week) , but not really concerned anymore. I wil just try to get more protein between fasts, and if not, I’ll try not to worry about it as long as I’m lifting.

There is evidence that people eating as little as 25 grams of protein per day can still gain muscle. So there is no reason that I can tell why 3 fasts per week would cause you to lose muscle. Also there isn’t really muscle “loss’ as much as there is ‘shrinking’. The muscle tissue is always there, just not as bloated so to speak.

Also it wouldn’t be very difficult to get your protein requirement even with 3 fasts per week.

I’d also assume that 3 fasts per week isn’t something you want to do forever, but even if it is, there is more than enough opportunity to eat enough protein between your fasts. I wouldn’t worry about it at all.

Keep in mind that most people in industrialized countries already eat at or above the protein range we recommend for muscle building.

JB

This is a bit off topic, but I have read comments on your blog where you state that there isnt really an issue to fast three times a week for 24 hour periods besides scheduling. In terms of minimum requirments for protein (for ex. as stated in how much protein), could 3, 24 hour fasts cause someone to fall short on these requirements and possibly lose some muscle even while folliwing a well designed workout program – lifitng 3 times a week?

JB