How long a layoff before you lose muscle mass?

Actually, if you stop lifting weights but eat at a maintenance level
would you lose any muscle mass at all?
How much muscle mass would you lose if you stopped lifting and went on a
calorie restricted diet?

On Jan 13, 12:49 pm, Richard McBeef <cho.seung-...@vt.edu> wrote:
> Actually, if you stop lifting weights but eat at a maintenance level
> would you lose any muscle mass at all?

Yes, unfortunately. The human body tends to jettison that which isn't
used.

> How much muscle mass would you lose if you stopped lifting and went on a
> calorie restricted diet?

A lot. I've heard that muscle starts "breaking down" with just three
days of relative inactivity. Combine that with less calories, and the
body really has no reason to keep all that muscle mass around.