A reason for muscle loss in the field-Part I

By Nathan Cragg

It’s happened to all of us at one time or another. You set out for a field problem feeling strong and proud of the new lean mass you’ve put on in your off time. Then you come back a couple days or weeks later and suddenly your 5, 10 even 15 pounds lighter and feeling about as strong as a freshman cheerleader.

Some try explaining this phenomenon by saying its water weight or due to lack of nutrition and hard work. Although these may be at play, I’ve always felt there was something deeper. And up until a couple months ago it perplexed me for years.

Recently I joined Coach Staley’s coaching group. Among the benefits was a bunch of interviews on MP3 of some of the top dogs in the fitness and nutrition industry.  One such interview was with a favorite of mine.  John Berardi. An expert nutritionist and soon to be PhD. So anyways I’m sitting here listening to the interview, when protein comes up. Nothing special there. Then outcomes a piece of dialogue that becomes a revelation for me. It’s what I’ve been searching all these years for. It was the Holy Grail for every skinny guy with “high metabolism”. What was this little gem.

Protein turnover. Pretty anti-climatic I know. But that’s what it was. The basic concept behind it is the way the body metabolizes protein is changed by the amount of ingested protein. Yes, yes Mr. Wizard this is common sense, but the actions behind this aren’t quite as obvious. When a high protein diet is consumed it creates the process of protein synthesis. When there is more protein coming in to re-build tissue, the old tissue is discarded due to the plenty fullness of protein. Well what happens when this high protein diet is dropped suddenly? Like going to the field. Or a weekend on the lake. Or maybe just some Atkins reject who gives up. Well unfortunately our body maintains this high level of protein turnover for quite some time. According to John it can be anywhere from a simple week to an agonizing month. So what does this mean in terms a jarhead can understand? You drop your protein levels in a short period of time; your muscle is eaten up like it’s just had flesh eating bacteria. Not good.

So what do we do with this disaster situation? Check back next week for Part II to find out!

 If you would like to learn more about John Berardi, check out his site here

Nathan Cragg is currently a COLT (Combat Observation Laser Team) Team Chief in the 49^th AD TXNG. Having served active duty time as well, he knows the hardships encountered. Being involved with law enforcement and fire service since early high school; his drive is to help prepare fellow firefighters, police officers and soldiers to be their physical best. Becoming a Certified Fitness Trainer with the ISSA and Olympic weightlifting coach is only a continuation of a lifetime of learning optimal human performance.

You may reach him at nathan@redwhiteandbluefitness.com