Muscle building is the same as any other type of self-improvement: if you have the right information and know where to begin, it can be a simple, straightforward process. No one can do the work for you, but you can be pointed in the right direction; here are some muscle building tips that work well.
Get enough sleep if you want to build muscle. Contrary to what you may think, sleeping is the perfect time for your muscles to begin to repair themselves and start increasing muscle mass. If you don’t get the proper sleep and rest, you might not only hurt yourself, but you may ruin the training you have already completed.
Stay active on your rest days. Being active increases your blood flow, and will help you to recover more quickly. The activity can be as simple as going for a walk. You can also go swimming, biking, or even get a massage. Engaging in these kinds of activities is significantly more effective than simply lying in bed all day.
The body’s protein intake plays a big role in the muscle-building process. Protein shakes are a great way to get in your daily protein. Such beverages are especially useful following exercise and just prior to bedtime. In order to drop pounds while also building muscle, try to drink one of these on a daily basis. But, if you want to increase mass as well as muscle, it is okay to have three daily.
Many people who wish to build muscle use protein shakes and meal replacements. It is important to note however that there is a distinction between the two. It can be dangerous to your health to use protein shakes frequently as a meal replacement. A full meal contains many essential nutrients that are not included in protein shakes. In addition, living off protein shakes can leave your muscles soft which negates your muscle building efforts.
As you are working to develop muscle, do not count on the scale to tell you how you are doing. You must take the time to measure your body fat to find out how you are doing. If your weight it going up or remaining the same, it may be a sign that you are turning flabby fat into rock hard muscle.
Make sure you are eating enough food to support new muscle growth. Many people struggle with not eating enough to support the kind of growth they are trying to achieve. If you are trying to lose weight and build muscle at the same time, make sure you are eating protein rich foods to help with muscle growth.
Consuming a sufficient amount of protein is a key factor in building muscle. In general, for every pound that you weigh, you should aim to consume about one gram of protein. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should try to have 140 grams of protein in your diet. Meat, dairy and fish are excellent sources of protein.
Make sure that you are eating healthy foods every 3 hours. Figure out how many calories you will need to consume every day, and then divide that by six. The number that you get will tell you how many calories you will need to consume while you are eating your meals.
Perform your lifting regimen every other day. After a vigorous workout, the protein synthesis process can take up to 48 hours to complete. In other words, your body builds muscle for up to two-day post-workout, and working out while your body is still recovering may undo your hard work. Enjoy the day of rest–it will help to maximize your results.
Make sure you are eating enough. Even if you are trying to lose weight while you build muscle, it is important that you are consuming sufficient calories. When your body is deprived of its fuel, it will be difficult to build muscle. An ideal diet for muscle gain is high in protein and low in fat and refined (processed) carbohydrates.
Limit yourself to four workouts per week. Doing five or more can cause recovery issues that limit or even hinder your progress. Having three days off a week also allows for mental recovery as well as physical. You will be more enthusiastic about going to the gym on your four days.
If you really want to build some significant muscle mass, you should consider using a creatine supplement. Not everyone benefits from the use of these products, but they may lead to increased muscle growth and are worth trying. If they do not work for you, then it is no loss.
Building up your muscles takes the same commitment, time and effort that any self-improvement activity does. You have to do the exercise, but the right information and learning the right techniques can be more helpful than you know. Use the tips in this article to put you on the right path.