>First was from 130 kilos down to 80 kilos. I did this through eating 1500 kcal per day exclusing green veggies AND doing >intensive cardio on the treadmill five times a week, hitting 500kcal on the calorie counter each time.
What do you mean "exclusing"? Did you mean "excluding" or did you mean "only"? If you never ate protein then that's why you lost so much of it...in your muscle, because of cellular turn-over. But surely I am misunderstanding?
That being said...Generally speaking lowering the calorie intake is a starting principle to lose fat, but studies have shown that even a balanced (lower-calorie) diet, will make you lose muscle as well. If you do endurance exercises, you will also lose muscles, sometimes even more. On the other hand, it seems working those muscles out with weights (or machines) prevents muscle loss...even if it means not gaining a much as with a normal calorie level.
I read that in Jogging International magazine. A long time ago. I wish I had the time to find actual references, it feels cheap to mention something like this without references - sorry for that.