Maintaning lean muscle while working out

[jgk138]

I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips on what i can take that would help muscle support while running after i lift. I have always just lifted then did abs and never really did any cardio after. I expected some loss in muscle but ive seemed to loose a good 5+ solid pounds of muscle. now, dont get me wrong ive leaned up quite a bit but just wanna maintain my hard work in building muscle. Im only running 2-3 miles on incline but i know there has to be something i can take that will help minimize any muscle loss. currently i take caffeine before working out and am about a week in on using the universal animal m-stak (wanted to try it for a while and read some reviews on it)
about me:
6'0
187-190 lbs
10-12% bf (estimating)

generally ill do 1 1/2 hour lifting (2 muscle groups per day)
30 min abs
30 min cardio after (usually 20 min treadmill on incline, 10 minutes stair stepper--dont knock till youve tried it! it gets you sweating bullets!)

ive read a little on BCA's and seem like those might help but any input is appreciated, thanks guys.

[jgk138]

anyone?

[PowerPress]

prolly has more to do with ur overall diet but to answer ur question bcaa's will definitely help what i like to do is sip a pro/carb shake.

[Maverick_J8]

Heavy compound movements. Just as good as a cardio session.

[green22]

Your staying in the gym to long..30 min of abs after an hour and a half of lifting. wtf??? Why does it take you 1 1/2 hr to lift????? 45min of weights, 10-15 min of abs, then 30 min of cardio. Go home and eat.....problem solved.

[rager]

1 1/2 to lift is fine what are you talking about. You should have that protein shake on hand imed after you are done with cardio though and you will be fine. I love how people think 45 minutes of weight training is fine for everyone..BS

[ecto9]

Squats deff are as good or better than cardio for burning cals, at least for me they are, and building muscle at the same time. But cardio on off days too,30min is enough for me. Too much and start loosing too much weight...

[jgk138]

i think 1 1/2 hours of lifting is pretty average for most people either building muscle or maintaining. everyone's bodies are different but i know mine requires me to lift for that long. as far as abs go 20-30 minutes is average too i think. i generally do 4 or 5 different ab exercises which comes out to being anywhere between 400-800 sit-ups depending on what it is im doing. i think 30 minutues cardio is a good amount i just dont want to loose alot of muscle which is why i need your guy's help!

[Ronnie Rowland]

You could try drinking a whey hydro protein shake or taking some BCAAS after weight training before doing the cardio. No need in over doing the abs. They are just another muscle!