Retaining Muscle on Very few Calories

[jakebrake]

BACKGROUND:
- I've been prescribed, and have been taking Adderall XR 20mg for the past 4 months. (Generic Name: amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)
- It has considerably improved my daily life at work; though I'm not retarded without it.

I was bulking for the better part of December, January and February with good results and am now in a cutting cycle. During my bulking cycle I used the Adderall less frequently because it curbs my appetite; and I wanted to eat like a gorilla (and did!). Now that I'm cutting the adderall helps to curb cravings, but somedays I don't feel like eating at all. On those days, trying to eat when I'm not hungry almost pushes me to the point of sickness; so it's not as simple as "just force it in your mouth and like it". I've been taking BCAA's (Ethyl Ester)throughout the day when this happens in an effort to preserve the muscle that I've built; because my bulking cycle went really well. Is this a futile attempt? Are the BCAA's a waste on an empty stomach?
Here's an idea of my diet on a typical 'not hungry' day:

6 AM - Oatmeal (plain) or Kashi Go Lean (Check out the nutritional info!)
Unsweetened chocolate soy milk (4.5g FAT, 1g sugar, 6g fiber,
9g protein)
7 AM - NOT HUNGRY
8 AM - NOT HUNGRY
9 AM - NOT HUNGRY
10 AM - NOT HUNGRY
11 AM - 4-6 Ounces of Roast Beef
12 PM - NOT HUNGRY (BCCA's)
1 PM - Try to eat a chicken breast or two with spinach & marinara
sauce.
2 PM - NOT HUNGRY
3 PM - NOT HUNGRY
4 PM - NOT HUNGRY
5 PM - 1/2 of a protein shake before workout (Whey w/water)
6 PM - Other half of protein shake. Maybe another scoop when I get home.
BCAA's
7 PM - NOT HUNGRY (Sometimes Unsweetened chocolate soy milk)
8 PM - Try to eat some tuna or chicken breast out of a can. Maybe more
roast beef and fat-free milk (10-12 oz)
9 PM - NOT HUNGRY
10 PM - Muscle milk with fat-free milk.


I'd appreciate any input/ideas. Thanks!

FYI - Liquids are easier to muscle down on these days. And I need to update my stats, I weigh closer to 205 now.

[BiggerGuns=LongerDrives]

Originally Posted by jakebrake

BACKGROUND:

I've been taking BCAA's (Ethyl Ester)throughout the day when this happens in an effort to preserve the muscle that I've built; because my bulking cycle went really well. Is this a futile attempt? .

No, BCAA's are valuable, especially in your state

But I'd add more protein, either thru more meats and food or more shakes (whey)

Originally Posted by jakebrake

Are the BCAA's a waste on an empty stomach?
.

I dont think so, in fact I think they are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach, but I could be wrong....I get my BCAA's throuh my protein shakes (2-3 a day)

[virus]

First off, using a medical supplement for a cutting agent is not a good idea.

Second, starving your body isn't a good idea. Yeah cutting back on calories and carbs to reduce bodyfat is doable, but completly not eating and lifting is opposite from smart/doable.

Thirdly, if your taking Adderall for other issues than cutting, maybe consult your doctor for an alternative drug that won't destroy your appetite.

Fourthly, glad your bulk cycle went good. Don't mess up the gains you got from that by not eating right.

[NoExcuses]

Originally Posted by virus

First off, using a medical supplement for a cutting agent is not a good idea.

Second, starving your body isn't a good idea. Yeah cutting back on calories and carbs to reduce bodyfat is doable, but completly not eating and lifting is opposite from smart/doable.

Thirdly, if your taking Adderall for other issues than cutting, maybe consult your doctor for an alternative drug that won't destroy your appetite.

Fourthly, glad your bulk cycle went good. Don't mess up the gains you got from that by not eating right.

I dont think he is taking adderall to cut. This dude has add, just like me and I understand the feeling off knowing you need to eat, but not being able to cause the thought makes you gag. Its a diffrent feeling than just not being hungry.

However if you want to keep your gains you have to feed your muscles. I know eating is difficult so make sure the food you do eat is solid nutrition. Try to eat as much protein as possible in every meal since its so hard to choke down. Maximize the food. I wouldnt be to concerned with the low cal/ low carb thing since adderall is basically speed, and your metabolism is cranking anyway.

You will unfortunatly loose some muscle taking that kind of a stimulant medication, but you can curb the majority of it by eating high protein, high quality food. Depending on how important your fitness is to you, you might want to look into stratera. Its a non stimulant add med, but I bet you already knew that. It might not be as effective with your attention deficit though. That will be up to you to decide. Good luck brother.

[jakebrake]

Yeah, I don't use it as a cutting agent; I am prescibed it for "ADD". I put the quotes around ADD because I don't necessarily buy into the whole 'NEED medication to function"; but, as my doctor put it, "If you feel better on it and it's helping you at work, than why wouldn't you take it." The benefits outweigh the negative aspects.

[narcsarge]

I have son on Adderall and I know what he is like when he takes his medicine and when he doesn't. Especially the whole diet stuff. When he has his medicine it is almost impossible to get him to eat. Breakfast and dinner are about all he wants to eat. On days he forgets his medicine, he is eating all day! Noexcuses is right, as is BG=LD! Eat as much protein as you can. Don't neglect vegetables either. You can add muscle even while on Adderall.

[virus]

I wasn't saying you was/wasn't using it for cutting, just had to ask cause you made the slight impression. No big deal.


Is there an alternative drug to use that wouldn't affect your appetite?

[NPayette]

Originally Posted by NoExcuses

I dont think he is taking adderall to cut. This dude has add, just like me and I understand the feeling off knowing you need to eat, but not being able to cause the thought makes you gag. Its a diffrent feeling than just not being hungry.

However if you want to keep your gains you have to feed your muscles. I know eating is difficult so make sure the food you do eat is solid nutrition. Try to eat as much protein as possible in every meal since its so hard to choke down. Maximize the food. I wouldnt be to concerned with the low cal/ low carb thing since adderall is basically speed, and your metabolism is cranking anyway.

You will unfortunatly loose some muscle taking that kind of a stimulant medication, but you can curb the majority of it by eating high protein, high quality food. Depending on how important your fitness is to you, you might want to look into stratera. Its a non stimulant add med, but I bet you already knew that. It might not be as effective with your attention deficit though. That will be up to you to decide. Good luck brother.

How is going your HGH cycle? Why don't you keep a log on here with picture?

[marlin]

why dont you get a weight gainer type protien, i've seen some with up to 1200 cals in them. 1 shake wouldn't be that hard to put down would it.

[jakebrake]

That's an idea; but I don't know how stoked I am about ingesting 100 grams of sugar in one sitting. Aside from the protein in them, those weight-gainers seem to be filled with a lot of low-grade filler ingredients to jack up the calories.
I AM trying to cut SOME weight.

[marlin]

Look into a slow absorbing protien. A shake to take before bed, or anytime during the day. There are some that have lower cals(120per scoop like whey) and close to 30g protien. You can create your on at trueprotien.com

[jakebrake]

I found something to help me throughout the day. I was at the Vitamin Shoppe and found these little 'vials' of protein. It's called 'New-Whey'. They have 42grams of protein in 3.1 fluid ounces of liquid.
I figure that using 1 or 1 1/2 of them between the small meals that I'm eating should help.
I just thought I'd throw this up in case anyone is in a similar situation.

Has anyone else used these before? They're REALLY convienent.