Fitness Supplements & Diet Plan Tips for Bodybuilding

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For some people, bodybuilding is a hobby. For others, it’s a lifestyle. But in every case, the fitness goal is the same: a balanced, muscular, and chiseled physique to rival any ancient Olympian. To get the best results from your training, you need the right nutrition for bodybuilders along with the best supplements for muscle growth. Follow these tips to build a diet and supplement program that will help you develop your dream body faster.

#1: Recognize the Two Key Phases

All diet plans for bodybuilding must include two key phases: bulking and cutting. In the bulking phase, you’re focused on building muscle and gaining weight. In the cutting phase, it’s all about shredding the fat while protecting the muscle you built. Nutrition for bodybuilders in these two phases is practically the same — except for one key factor: you’ll want to eat 115% of your maintenance calorie requirements in the bulking phase to put on weight, and 85% of your maintenance calorie requirements in the cutting phase to reduce fat.

#2: Calculate Your Macros

We know that protein is essential for building muscle, but how much do you really need? According to experts, the best balance of macros for bodybuilding as a professional sport are:

  • 30–35% protein
  • 55–60% carbs
  • 15–20% fat

To work out these values in grams, multiply the percentages by your total calorie goal and convert the resulting values to grams. For protein and carbs, divide each calorie by 4 for grams, and divide each calorie of fat by 9. Here’s an example of nutrition for bodybuilders for someone with a maintenance intake of 2000 calories:

 Bulking PhaseCutting Phase
Calories2,3001,700
Protein (g)173-201126-149
Carbs (g)316-345234-255
Fat (g)38-5128-38

#3: Eat A Delicious, Varied Diet

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Unfortunately, nutrition for bodybuilders has developed a reputation for monotony. However, far from a diet of pure eggs and chicken, diet plans for bodybuilding can include as much variety as you like — as long as the food is nutritious and you’re including all of your macros and micros.

For protein, consider lesser-known treats like venison and turkey in addition to the usual chicken, beef, and fish. As far as grains, mix up the usual rice and pasta with some quinoa, barley, millet, and couscous. Many international dishes include a healthy balance of proteins, carbs, and fats. Just stay clear of refined sugars and oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids as these foods are thought to increase inflammation and raise your risk for obesity and heart disease.

#4: Boost Your Results with Workout Supplements

Your weekly meal plan forms the backbone of your personalized nutrition for bodybuilders, but meeting your macros and micros consistently can prove to be more of a challenge. That’s where bodybuilding supplements come in.

Remember those protein values mentioned above? 201 grams of protein is a lot for even the most carnivorous among us — you’d have to eat eight meals every day! Instead of spending all your spare time calculating calories, grams, protein, and minerals, round out your program with the best supplements for muscle growth and supercharge your path to bulk.

In your diet plans for bodybuilding, consider the following evidence-based muscle-building supplements:

Before Your Workout

  • Glycerol monostearate for extra muscle pump
  • Creatine for going a few extra reps
  • Caffeine to reduce fatigue
  • Delta-8 to enhance your workouts

Before or During Your Workout

  • BCAAs and electrolytes to improve muscle hydration

After Your Workout

  • Whey or vegan protein for recovery and muscle repair

Build A Solid Program at LFTD. While there’s no magic pill, solid nutrition for bodybuilders along with the best supplements for muscle growth help you build your best body and keep it by maximizing every effort at the gym.

How To Stay Fit And Healthy In Your Thirties

What if I told you that two-thirds of adult Australians are overweight or obese? If you’re a man whose waist circumference is more than 98.0cm, or more than 87.9cm for a woman, you might be one of them. In your thirties, the issue might become less solvable if you ignore it. The metabolism becomes slowlier as years pass by. Let’s see how you can stay fit and healthy in your thirties and fit into the good part of the statistics. 

  1. Determine your ideal BMI and try to maintain it

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to most adult men and women. It is a number calculated from the individual’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. The BMI can be used to indicate whether someone is overweight or obese. The World Health Organization defines “overweight” as a BMI greater than or equal to 25, and “obese” as a BMI greater than or equal to 30.

It is important for people who are overweight or obese to try to maintain their weight because they are at an increased risk for developing many diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

  1. Have a healthy diet plan and stick to it

A good diet plan includes a variety of foods and encourages you to eat healthily. Eating healthy will help you maintain your weight and improve your health in the long run. Here are some healthy diet plans for people in their thirties.

  • Paleo Diet: A diet that focuses on unprocessed, natural foods like meat from animals you hunted yourself or plants that you have processed yourself. If you want to avoid gluten, dairy, and refined sugars, this is the right diet for you.
  • Mediterranean Diet: A diet that focuses on healthy eating habits from countries where the food is mostly plant-based with a small amount of fish and poultry and a fair amount of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and nuts. The Mediterranean diet is good for people who want to limit their intake of sugar and saturated fat.
  • DASH Diet: A diet plan created by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute that focuses on eating healthy amounts of food groups like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish low in both sodium and saturated fat and low in cholesterol.

There are many diets, so make sure you consult with a nutritionist about this. 

  1. Always warm-up before exercising and have a rest day

It is important to always warm-up before exercising. It helps your muscles get prepared for the workout. You can do a light jog, some light stretching, or perform some exercises that are less intense than the ones you will be doing for the rest of your workout.

A rest day is also important to have every once in a while so that you can recover from all the physical work and exercise you have been doing. This day should not be a full day of rest instead it should just be an active recovery day.

  1. In case of injuries see a physio

Exercise is an important part of your life and it can help you stay fit. But if you have an injury, it is better to see a physio. If you don’t go for a physio appointment, the injury will get worse and your recovery will be slower.

One of the most common reasons for people to avoid seeing a physio is that they are worried about the cost. But in reality, it’s worth spending that money on your health. Physio Canberra center offers different recovery programs for every wallet.

  1. Check your overall health at least once a year

It is important to check your health at least once a year. This will help you catch any illnesses or diseases early on and prevent them from developing into something more serious.

It is recommended to get screened for different types of cancers, such as breast cancer and colon cancer. You should also get tested for blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and other health markers that can help you live a healthy lifestyle.

  1. Balance private and professional life

 You should stay in touch with your friends and family, work on your hobbies, and try not to stress too much at work.

Having a good social life can help you maintain better mental health, keep your stress levels down, and even improve your performance at work.

Doing hobbies can be a great way to take some time out of the day for yourself while also improving your creative thinking skills.

There are so many ways of staying healthy and fit in your thirties and we only presented some of them. We are all constantly learning and improving ourselves, so never think that once you’re an adult with a stable job, you stop living life to its fullest.

Top 5 Selfcare Preparations For Your Wedding Day

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A wedding is one of the most important days of your life. Everyone wants to look good and glowing on their wedding day and that’s why so many women spend so much time and money on hairdressers and beauticians as a part of their preparations for the big day. However, there are ways to improve and nourish your beauty o+n your own and be well prepared even long before your wedding. Unless you and your fiance plan to elope, you will probably have all the reservations made long before, so you have enough time to start practicing some beauty routine months before your wedding day.  Let’s mention some of those instructions. 

Stay hydrated

Hydration is a basic step when it comes to self-care. Don’t drink water only when you feel thirsty, make it a routine and make your daily intake of water around 8-10 glasses for optimal hydration. Good hydration will make your skin moisturized and without the dark circles around the eyes. Other than water, there are other healthy drinks, like herbal tea, green or black tea, and natural juices. This will boost your energy from the beginning of the day and make you more willing to exercise, go to work, or do any other activity. 

Moisturize your skin

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This advice applies both to your face and your body. Skin beauty routine is maybe one of the most important ones. Avoid too much sun or tanning salons. If you want to be tanned for your special day, there are alternatives like spray tanning. It would be good if you visited a dermatologist if you have some skin issue because poking your zits might cause more damage to your skin. In case you have regular skin, a common beauty routine will do the work. There are plenty of self-care products you can use, like face scrubs, body scrubs, serums, body lotions, etc. Some artisan soap bars can be much better for your skin than aggressive douche gels. Extra tip: don’t forget your cleavage, nails, and hair. 

Eat well

You shouldn’t be obsessed to lose weight or anything, but if you want to take extra care and maybe lose a few pounds, there are diet tips that work for anybody. Don’t make the mistake of eating processed or canned food just because you´re too busy with the wedding preparations. Eat fresh food, fruit, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fat, whole grains…Sugar and starch are your enemies do reduce their intake to the minimum. Don’t make it complicated with some exotic food or unfamiliar ingredients. Eat what you normally eat, just avoid the unhealthy stuff like sweets, alcohol, or junk food. Combined with regular exercise it will bring you the best results.                                                                                         

Sleep well and meditate

A good nap is the best thing you can do to rest, so try to avoid using the phone or other devices before going to bed. Sleeping is better than stressing about the wedding preparations and it will give you more energy so you will be able to do more stuff in less time. 

Meditation is a powerful way of finding inner peace and as a beginner, you are not expected to have long sessions but a couple of minutes is good for preparing for the rough day at work. If you start your day with a couple of minutes of meditation sessions, you may lower your stress levels which is beneficial for your health and thus, for your beauty as well. 

Exercise regularly

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The best thing you can do to get toxins out of your system is to have good and regular sessions of exercise. Whether you do it in a gym, outdoors, or your home, the effects are beneficial in many ways. Your body will be toned, your skin will be more glowing since all the toxins will be out through sweating and you will be more energetic. Also, it relieves stress, so if the preparation of the wedding sometimes feels overwhelming, make it to the gym and you will feel better. The fact that your wedding dress will look so good on your toned body is enough to make you feel better. In case you prefer a home workout, there are plenty of videos for brides-to-be. Explore and find what suits you best and remember not to take it as another task, but try to fully enjoy it. 

A wedding and its preparation should be fun. Try to make it that way and enjoy it all the way. Although it can be stressful, it is also one of the happiest events you will participate in. These tips are here to help you make the stress and all the hassle as low as possible. Take your time and do all the necessary things at a slower pace so you can avoid the exaggerated preparation a few days before. You will already be toned, healthy, radiant, and with glowing skin thanks to these self-care ins

Top 6 Activities  to Prepare Your Body for the Fall Season

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The main problem with the new year’s resolutions is that they are impractical. So, why wait until January to make new fitness goals and take good care of yourself? In Australia, summer and fall are the best seasons for fitness, and if you lack motivation or don’t know where to start, here are some ways to build your own workout routine and get back in shape after lockdown.

Go for a walk

When going to the gym isn’t an option, walking is a great way to get back in shape. Not only will you manage to burn some calories, but you’ll also improve posture, strengthen your muscles, and shore up your joints and bones.

Walking for 30 minutes a day can be very beneficial for your mental health as well. This is a mindful exercise that allows you to enjoy some alone time, relieve stress and even try new things, such as walking to a new ice cream shop on the other side of the city. The best part is that you only need a good pair of running shoes to start today. So whether you want to go for a walk with your friends or go sightseeing when you need some time to unwind, this type of physical activity will definitely improve your mood.

Go on a hiking adventure

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Fall is the best season for hiking in Australia, and if you’ve been thinking about building a new fitness routine, this type of physical activity can help you get back in shape before hitting the gym. Because it is such a unique and rewarding experience, many fitness lovers prefer hiking over any other outdoor activity. Going for a hike helps you burn calories faster, breathe some fresh and cleaner air, and train all major muscle groups at once.

However, it would be best to start your training a few weeks before going on a hike. Try to walk for at least one hour a day to avoid muscle soreness and improve your chances of reaching your hiking goals. In addition, be sure to bring a camera because hiking in the fall is truly an amazing experience.

Hit the road

Cycling is an ideal exercise for busy bees. If you don’t have time for regular exercise and want to help our environment, try cycling to work. Fall is definitely one of the best seasons for hiking, especially because it gives you a chance to see your hometown through different lenses. On top of that, biking increases muscle strength and flexibility, improves joint mobility, and increases cardiovascular fitness. If you’re looking for a workout session that’s gentle on your body and mind, be sure to give biking a try.

Exercise with your friends and family

Many people don’t exercise because they lack motivation. If you’re one of those people, ask your friends and family to join you and organise soccer or volleyball matches that will help you get back in shape. Exercising in groups while having the best time of your life can help you nurture your relationship with exercise and take better care of your body and mind. In addition, playing a sport is a great way to burn calories and improve your strength and flexibility without feeling obligated to run the extra mile or stick to your exercise routine.

Get back to the gym

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When it’s raining outside, and the weather is too cold for exercise, consider getting back to the gym. A well-equipped gym in Sydney CBD will provide everything you need to get back in shape in no time. One of the main reasons why going to the gym can be very beneficial is that you always have support from trained instructors and other gym buddies. In addition, exercising in your favourite gym allows you to stay focused on certain muscle groups and develop a fitness routine that suits you the best.

Go for a run

Running on a treadmill isn’t as exciting as running outside and feeling the fresh breeze on your face. A 30-minute running session will help you burn around 500 calories, build and improve your stamina and motivate you to overcome your challenges. This type of outdoor exercise will strengthen your whole musculoskeletal system and help you maintain a healthy weight. So, lace up your sneakers, create a new playlist for running around the block, and you’ll notice improvements after the first session.

Conclusion

We understand that it’s often difficult to put yourself out there and get back in shape after feeling drowsy all summer. But, regular physical activity is important for your mental and physical health, which is why it’s recommended to give these ideas a try. Whether you want to go to the gym, try cycling or start a game of soccer, be sure to stay hydrated and change your diet because that’s one of the best ways to stay healthy during the fall season.

Written by Liam Smith Twitter

Exercising With Baby

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Interaction with baby is so very important – but so is trying to get healthy and get your body back right? I am not sure who to credit this picture to but I had to share it – it really is a simple, creative and cool way to make baby happy to to make mamma happy as well. There is several different exercises like this that can be done – and daddy can do them as well.