Saturday 17 February 2007

Nutrition Fact - Eating More Than You Lose

I can’t get away from the fact that weight gain is all about balanced eating and regulated physical activity. I’ve been told enough times – and it is true! Just like in normal life – weight gainers need a healthy lifestyle too. We see lots of people finding it tough to lose weight – but as we know, there are underweight people desperately trying to gain weight. Granted, there are supplements that promise results – but you gotta work it so that you eat more than you burn. But don’t just do those three solid meals a day. Instead break it up – get in snacks that are nutritive as well as in the weight gainer class. There is no need to feel as if you have eaten too much – just takes a little planning.

Here are tips on calorie-loaded foods. No – not the yummy desserts and the fried things – they’re fine, but try and concentrate on the foods that are loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals and calories. Bread, cereal, rice and pasta come in this class. Go for the granola, bagels, biscuits and cornbread. Fruits – the nectars, the canned stuff, the dried stuff. Veggies like avocado, olives, potatoes, peas; peanut butter, nuts, chickpeas, dry beans; milk foods like yoghurt, cheese, puddings, custards…go for them!

Tuesday 13 February 2007

The Importance of Warming Up

I think warming up is a big part of any bodybuilding program. It is important to do a proper warm up before you get started on your bodybuilding because it lessens your chances of getting injured. And, it makes you perform better. No matter how hard you work, a warm up is vital. Your muscles will react and respond to exercise if you prepare them for what is next. Warming up basically increases the flow of blood to your muscles, lubricating the joints – it literally helps your joints move freely and comfortably – think in terms of melting the stiffness. When you rest, your muscles get only 15-20% blood supply, but when you exercise, the requirement goes up substantially to 80% even. So, you need to get that bloody supply going, and can’t expect it to be efficient without the warming up. I mean, you just can’t be relaxing, then suddenly get up, and start vigorous exercise! Another thing about warming up is you help your muscles become more elastic – encouraging them to work harder. It also takes them longer to tire out, meaning that you build up stamina. For me, warming up really gets me going for the coming part – letting me nicely wind up for the strenuous part. Puts me in the swing of things.