If you're a lady, building more muscle mass may not really be part of your health plan. Your training regimen may probably consist of activities such as yoga, jogging, or Pilates exercises like myself. However, strength training isn't just for jocks who want to be the next Mr. Universe. It actually has a lot of benefits to the female body. When you build more muscle mass, you'll be able to enhance your own curves with toned muscles. In addition, having adequate muscle mass also means that you can burn calories better - sounds wonderful, huh?
Keep in mind, though, that it isn't enough for you to gulp down protein shakes just to build strong muscles. It takes a lot of hard work and careful planning in order to make it work. So to help you get started, follow along here to learn more about effective ways to gain strong muscles.
♥ Eat more!
Yup, you read that right. If you are conscious with what you eat, this advice may contradict to your health regimen. However, you really need to eat more in order to build more lean muscle. That is because you need more energy whenever you pump iron. If you do not have extra calories, you will burn up your reserves, and thus, you won't have any muscle gains.
Keep in mind, though, that just because you need to eat more does not mean that you will stuff your mouth with junk food and sugary treats. You still need to maintain a balanced diet that is composed of complex carbohydrates and proteins. Need some delicious inspirations? Check out our raw avocado cacao mousse recipe here!
♥ Pump heavier iron
When you are in the gym, never be afraid of using the bigger weights. If you train like a man, your body will produce the right amounts of testosterone that can help you handle stress and build your muscles. Do not be content with doing back squats using the bar. To make it more effective, add 5 pounds on each side. Increase your reps once you get used to a particular exercise.
♥ Sleep well
Even after an intense work out session, your body still burns calories and energy. This activity is known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. When you sleep, your muscles will absorb all the nutrients and water that you have consumed during the day. So make sure that you get eight hours of beauty sleep every night.
So tell me dear Sunshine, do you have a set program for building muscle mass? Do you train on your own or do you prefer to take advice from a personal trainer? Could you share other fitness tips with your fellow readers? Come post them in the comments section!
Until next time, stay motivated.
