A lean body is one of the most attractive traits you can have. Contrary to popular belief, getting a ripped body is not a complicated process – but it does take some hard work and patience. We guarantee that getting ripped is worth the sweat and time that’s required. If you’re serious about getting ripped and turning heads, use these nutrition and fitness tips to maximize muscle growth and fat loss.
1. Record your diet. Both diet and fitness play critical roles in getting ripped, but the majority of your efforts should be focused on the former. The first step to modifying your diet is knowing exactly what – and when – you’re eating each day. Writing down your diet in a food journal can help you track calories and nutrients throughout the day. You’ll be surprised at how much you’re eating once you start to add everything up. For help on getting a food journal started, check out MenScience Boot Camp.
2. Choose the best protein sources. Protein is crucial to muscular development. If you want cover-model muscle definition, you need to make sure you’re getting enough protein. Whey protein, which is derived from dairy, is the fastest-absorbing protein available and has been shown to help support muscle growth and fat loss when combined with a sensible diet. Your best bet for a quick protein boost is a men’s whey protein powder with branched-chain amino acids like leucine; studies suggest that BCAAs can help speed up muscle-building and muscle-recovery processes. To find out how much protein you need, read “The Benefits of Protein for Men.”
3. Cut down on calories. Protein will help you build muscle, but you won’t be able to see any of it if it’s covered by fat. To burn fat, you need to consume less calories than you burn. Whether do this by following a low-carb plan or another type of diet is up to you – the key is to control your calorie intake. Start by cutting down 500 calories from your current daily intake (see #1). This will help you burn about 1 pound per week; 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week is ideal and helps reduce the risk of athletic stretch marks and other exercise-related men’s skin problems. For tips on eliminating calories, check out “8 Calorie-Cutting Tips for Men.”
4. Do resistance training. Cardio is great for burning fat, but it doesn’t do much for building muscle mass. Weight-lifting is one of the most popular forms of resistance training and for good reason – it works. Mixing cardio and weight-training in your fitness program is the most effective ways to get ripped. Just make sure you’re taking men’s workout supplements to get the most out of each workout. A men’s creatine monohydrate supplement can help you maximize strength and muscle gains, while a men’s pre-workout supplement can increase your energy and focus for more intense workouts. A men’s workout recovery formula is another important men’s sports nutrition supplement that can shorten recovery times and reduce muscle soreness. For more information on all these workout supplements, read “MenScience Scientific Nutrition Program.”
5. Consider a men’s thermogenic supplement. A men’s thermogenic supplement (also known as a fat burner) helps speed up your metabolism naturally to help you burn more calories. The more calories you burn, the faster you’ll start seeing results. MenScience Thermogenic Formula gives you that extra edge to help burn more fat for a leaner, more muscular you. Combine with a men’s CLA supplement for best results. “What is a Men’s Thermogenic Formula?” has more details on the benefits of using a men’s fat burner.
