Strong, lean muscles are what most fitness enthusiasts aspire for. Why, in spite of your efforts, are you still not making the cut? You have exercised consistently. You have slashed a significant amount of calories to ensure fat loss. Perhaps the problem lies in your metabolic activity. Diet, exercise and your lifestyle affects metabolism. Everything you eat and do has an impact on it, and your body needs the right kind of fuel to develop. Choosing the right diet and exercise is the way to achieve strong, lean muscles. Here are some great tips to definitely keep in mind.
Don’t starve yourself. Eating too little is detrimental to your health and to your metabolic activity. It is one of the worst enemies of muscle development. Starving yourself will put your body into starvation mode, and this means that the body will conserve its energy sources by decreasing metabolism. Make it a point to eat breakfast everyday, even if it’s just a small one. Fill your breakfast plate with whole grain products, fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods. Egg whites, for example, are great source of dietary protein. Space your meals well. Eat every 3 to 4 hours. This will keep your metabolism burning.
Nuts have been classified as power foods because they’re rich in good fats, good protein and provide lots of fiber. They are good snack alternatives. Unlike highly processed carbohydrates, nuts do not dull your sense of satiety. A handful of nuts can tide you over until your next meal. Get your daily protein requirement. Eat up to one gram of protein per pound of body weight. For women, do not exceed 150 grams per day. Men should have a maximum of 200 grams per day. Avoid or at least limit alcohol intake. It has lots of unwanted calories and no nutrient value. It may also diminish testosterone levels which is detrimental to muscle growth.
Getting enough sleep affects how much you weigh too. Sleep deprivation is linked to increased fat storage. Strive to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day. Rest and sleep is important in muscle building. It is during sleep that the muscles recuperate after working out. Workouts should be suited for the goal in mind. Do cardio exercises to trim fat faster and lift weights to build muscles.
The quality and quantity of foods that you eat affect muscle development. Make sure that you’re getting enough protein. Eat small meals up to 6 to 8 times a day. This meal schedule keeps your metabolism burning. An efficient metabolism burns more calories. In turn, you develop lean, strong muscles. All of these things, when done together, all work synergistically to help you get strong, lean and build muscle.
Over at the FitnessArmory.com, you can let our expert advice on fitness and equipment reviews help you create the perfect home gym but without all the huge costs. We have the exclusive reviews on all your favorite brands and models to help you get in shape, get healthy and look great. Recent product reviews include: Livestrong LS8.0E Elliptical, Lifecore R100 Rower. We invite you to stop by or drop us a line if you have any questions or need help with your fitness equipment selections.
