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Portrait of a young woman flexing her muscles

Source: Rubberball/Erik Isakson / Getty

While most people set a goal to “lose weight” what they “really” mean is they want to BURN FAT. Not all weight loss is good weight loss, as a matter of fact, if you exercise and cut your calories by too much, you may end up losing hard earned muscle. Here are a few tips to help you maximize fat loss without sacrificing muscle:

1) Eat enough protein: Numerous studies have shown that losing fat without losing muscle requires the appropriate protein intake. If you are cutting calories and exercising daily, you should get a minimum of 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, so if you weigh 125 pounds, aim for 125 grams of protein per day.

2) Get the proper pre and post workout nutrition: Remember food is energy and you must provide your body with the proper nutrients to support muscle growth while promoting fat loss. Click HERE for ideas.

3) REST: Contrary to what many people believe, muscle growth occurs while you’re resting. After an aggressive session at the gym, be sure to give your body enough time to recover before you take on another intense session.

For more tips, check out A Workout Routine’s Tips.