Keep muscle mass, but be lean..

[okgo]

Hi all,

Now I am officialy hernia free, I will be getting serously into shape this year. Cycling hundreds of miles per week is the plan (I have got into road cycling).

However, I have a decent base of muscle from weight training for the last year or so.. I know typical fit cyclists are weedy up top, but I prefer to keep the muscular build in the arms soulders etc.

Is it possible to be a keen cyclist whilst keeping a good size body?

What will I need to do to make sure I don't shrink up top?

Currently 15 stone and 6,1.

[Dale19]

Calories in vs calories out.

You`ll obviously need to increase your intake for your now greater output.

I think the main thing will be stopping yourself going catabolic, but if you keep your intake regular and high enough you shouldnt have a problem, easier said than done though.

Fingers crossed a cardio nut will stumble in here.

[Halb]

Well done! Hope you manage to achieve it. Been of weights for only two weeks thanks to an inflamed tendon and am itching to get back!

[Lost_BMW]

Through most of my twenties and thirties I cycled between 15 and 30 miles 4 or 5 times a week, plus ran regularly but had no trouble building or keeping muscle - even when deliberately losing weight - just be making sure I still trained with weights and had a reasonable amount of protein.

I honestly can't see it being a problem unless you do so much your systems can't cope and you get over tired or susceptible to infections, then it's just a matter of monitoring how you feel and react, and taking rest periods or tailing it down for a short while every now and then.

If you're naturally strong and well trained your body should be well able to handle it imho. Good luck!