Exercise, muscle tone question

[my3xys]

Does diabetes & meds. minimize the development of muscle tone? I have, religiously, been weight training & cardio for 2+ years and have noticed very little improvement in my muscle tone. My weight has stayed about the same (I understand muscle is denser, therefore, could be losing fat & gaining muscle). I eat about 6 small meals per day with lots of fruits, veggies and have included protein supps. with 3 of the meals.
It's getting frustrating - any help out there?

[MCS]

I would look into the weight training websites.

I take L-Arginine 3/3 times a day, noticed a difference in about week and I haven't even started to work out yet.

[Debbie Sue]

Since dx'd, my buns have disappeared. I am now sitting on pancakes and tailbone. It hurts too. I use my Bowflex several times a week plus cardio. One of my e. bikes is an air dyne type where the handles move too so I get an upper body workout too.

I feel I am losing muscle tone and it scares me.

[cwathne]

Nope, not my experience at all. Currently I bicycle (in 3 road bike clubs) 4-6 heavy days a week; this keeps my entire body pretty toned. I had a 9 month period where I lifted weights 3 mornings a week (up untill about a month ago) and durring this time I got quite a bit stronger and I could really notice the increased muscle definition.

[cwathne]

you said that you've been doing weights/cardio for 2 years. Have you increased the intensity of these workouts? To get stronger/more toned you will need to really increase the intesity level of your exercise over time. For example, I was increasing the weight at which I lifted every 1 to 2 weeks.

[notreally]

I am not an expert, but I know how you lift does influence the results. It would be good to read up on it. If you are lifting weights and doing a few sets of 10 or 15 you are probably just building endurance and possibly burning away some fat. Your muscles are unlikely to get a lot bigger, but you should be able to go longer.

You see bodybuilders with spotters grunting and groaning and pushing to failure. I don't know if there is any new theory or not, but the old theory was you had to rip muscle a little bit to build it. You push to failure and make sure you have your protein to help the body rebuild the muscle. You will also see that bodybuilders give their muscles time off. One day they will work legs, one day they will work their upper body.

It might not hurt to consult with a personal trainer for a time or two. Have a goal in mind and have them help you build a plan that fits you. The fact you are working out is great, it is keeping you in shape and is probably helping you get more athletic, but if it isn't meeting your needs, talk to an expert.

The other bigger fad I am seeing is circuit training or cross training. The body gets used to the same old, same old routine and it may not do as much for you. It can help to switch up the exercise for your body and your interest level.

[Subby]

Here is a very sketchy idea that I have very little backing for, but may as well pass it along. Could it be your type 2 meds interfering with your workout/muscle building process, somehow?

[foxl]

... or statins?

[notreally]

Here is a very sketchy idea that I have very little backing for, but may as well pass it along. Could it be your type 2 meds interfering with your workout/muscle building process, somehow?


That would be an interesting study. Would suck if it was true.

[Subby]

Well... this is just to be taken as a causal suggestion, but depending on many other things I would hope (ie, not just to build muscle) maybe you could look at moving onto some insulin instead of some meds. It may be a lot more natural for your body in the end. Just in case you have a gut reaction about that, have a chat with some t2s who made the move first. They generally find it a good move from what I have read.

[yscn]

I think using insuline is a solution.
Until 6 months ago I had a same problem with you. But not now....I had changed medication to Novorapid pen. I am happy now.

[Caravaggio]

I second the advice of one responder that you should read up on exercise/training principles to get a better grounding.

My diagnosis as a diabetic and my meds have not affected my muscle tone, but getting into an "exercise rut" has that effect. By exercise rut, I mean doing the same routine for a while such that my body has adopted to it and has stopped responding or I no longer exert as much intensity as before. So, I modify my routine every 2-3 months. This doesn't necessarily require a complete revamp of what I'm doing, as sometimes making just 1 or 2 changes every now and then can make a lot of difference. Hence, if you lift weights, increase the weight, increase the sets, change the sequence of your exercises, or replace a couple of exercises; or even adopt a new set of exercises every 3 months.

You can also try new activities. For instance, if you work on machines all the time, why not try free weight? If you do a particular type of yoga, why not try another type?

[my3xys]

I have varied my programs, including: 1 muscle group per week to 1 group every other day; same # of reps with same weight; increasing reps with decreasing weight; decreasing reps with increasing weight; changed specific exercise; use free weights, along with machines. I have read many publications. I hired a personal trainer at the beginning. My question, that I cannot seem to obtain an answer to is: Are my meds inhibiting cell mitochondria? What other effects are my meds having my muscle development, along with my overall well-being?