Blog Archive

Health and Fitness TV 24 Hrs

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Building muscle demands more than junk food

By Jon Cardozo

No doubt this isn't the first time that you've heard it, but it won't hurt to say it again. If you wish to build significant amounts of muscle, you must increase your calories so your body has what is necessary to increase your muscle mass.

If you eat about as many calories as you burn, then your weight will stay the same. If you eat more calories than your body burns in a given day, then the surplus will be turned into extra weight. So at this point the formula may seem pretty simple.

However, if you want to gain muscle, that means you need to eat more calories than your body is using up in a day. Still, you can't simply eat whatever you want and expect to gain large amounts of muscle. There is a method to the madness.

You can't expect to build muscle if your diet consists primarily of fast foods like chips, French fries, and cookies. Remember that you need a significant amount of protein to build your muscle, as well as carbohydrates and healthy fats.

You have probably heard of the dangers of hydrogenated oils, or Trans fats. Well, these won't help you build muscle at all, and over time they actually increase your chances of heart disease. Sure, you can probably get away with a little bit, but you want to be careful. You want to be healthy and you're also trying to build muscle, so treat yourself like a world class athlete.

Sugar is another dangerous food for overall health and for muscle building. Why? Well, your body can only use so much at a time, and it can only store a small amount in the liver and the muscles. The third and most undesirable option is to convert the excess sugar into more body fat!

So, all that wonderful ice cream and candy bars can lead to extra fat whether you like it or not. Whatever you don't burn off can become fat, and if you eat excessive amounts you probably won't burn it all off.

You've probably heard that moderation is key, and it's unlikely that you will completely give up your favorite foods. However, try to focus on good foods like lean proteins and fruits and vegetables. Think of it as a bank account. The more deposits you make (or the more good food that you eat), the more likely is it you can get away with a withdrawal every once in awhile.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment