The truth behind the Popeye syndrome and protein

Throughout my career as a personal trainer, I think the most popular answer I have had when questioning female clients about their goals is this:

'I want to be toned but I don't want to get too big'..........

Little do they know that in the absence of the male hormone testosterone it is extremely difficult, if not impossible for a female to develop muscles anywhere near the size of a male. Of course like anything there are exceptions and some females are more genetically prone to building a bit more muscle, but for most of us there is nothing to worry about, I guarantee you are not going to look like popeye.

The next hurdle I have come across with most clients, male and female, is the amount of protein in their diet. Again many people will be under the illusion that if they consume protein they will end up building massive biceps for example which will bust out of their t-shirts because they are just so huge and bulbous! Again, NOT TRUE..............................  Of course it is perfectly true that protein is the macronutrient that builds and repairs muscles, but unless you are male and training specifically for hypertrophy (increase in size of muscle) this is not going be a problem for you.

Just so I don't go on too much I am going to list 5 reasons why you should be eating enough protein. For the record the recommended amount of protein you should consume to avoid atrophy (muscle wastage) shouldn't be less that 0.8g per 1lb of bodyweight. If you train regularly then you want to aim for about 1g per 1lb bodyweight.

5 Good Reasons to include enough protein in your diet.

1. If you come to a decision that you need to lose some weight the first thing you do is restrict calories. Just make sure that you don't restrict your protein! When you eat a protein rich meal, accompanied by carbs and/or fats you will feel fuller for longer and when the scale begins to drop you can be sure that it is fat you are losing and very little muscle. When you lose fat you will appear more 'toned' as you expose the muscle underneath.

2. Apart from building and repairing muscle, protein is responsible for building and repairing your skin, blood, cartilage plus much more......

3. When we think of protein we normally associate it with body builders and their boulder shoulders, six-pack, biceps and bulging pecs. But what about our heart? This is the muscle that keeps us alive and works hard every day pumping blood around our bodies and keeping us fit and healthy. How can we maintain cardiovascular health in the absence of protein?

4. If you don't eat a balanced diet full of protein, carbs and healthy fats it will eventually be detrimental to your health. Your immune system will suffer and you will be less able to fight infection and be more susceptible to ill health and disease. It is well documented that the countries which follow a healthy nutrition protocol have less rates of cancer, heart disease and consequently live longer.

5. Last but not least, if you accompany a healthy diet made of  at least 0.8g protein per 1lb of bodyweight and the rest made up of healthy fats and carbs with regular exercise, you are onto a winner.

I hope the above dispels any myths you may have heard and as always, message me if you have any questions relating to this blog.