Food is just as important to the diet as the exercises.
Building muscle is possible while losing the excess fat on your body. The weight lifting and training exercises burn fat while the new muscle forms. Like any other exercise program, your diet can make or break the results. For example, the carbohydrates that muscle builders require in their diet can slow the weight loss portion if they aren't controlled. The diet that goes along with your weight loss, muscle-building diet thus requires as much attention as the exercises that you perform on the plan.
Instructions
1. Look at your protein intake closely. Protein helps the muscles repair, rebuild and strengthen. However, the traditional proteins eaten by those undergoing weight training include meats that may be high in the types of fats that kill a weight loss diet. Instead, look to lean meats, egg whites and skinless chicken. Cut the fat from the meat in order to cut it from your body. Just don't cut the meat completely because your body needs the protein.
2. Consider carbs. Weight loss dieters cut carbohydrates from all meals as one of the first signs of their allegiance to losing the weight. This is a mistake. Carbohydrates are the energy your body needs to burn the fat and fuel the workouts. Cutting them is like taking the gas out of your car. Too little carbohydrates can also cause the body to enter a state known as ketosis, leading to kidney stones or gout. While carbs such as refined flour-made baked goods should be removed from the diet, consider carbs from pasta, brown rice, and whole grain breads. The National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends a minimum of 130 g of carbohydrates a day.
3. Feel free with your veggies. Vegetables are a staple for building muscle and losing weight. Don't limit the starchy vegetables either. Potatoes and corn are popular examples of starchy vegetables. Starch is a complex carbohydrate that can help fuel your muscle-building workouts. Just lay off the excess topping when eating the starchy veggies.
4. Stay away from short-term energy boosters. Fuel for the workout is one thing, but the source of that fuel is quite another. Avoid energy boosts from sugar and caffeine. These are short-lived and often very damaging to both the weight loss and muscle-building portions of your health plan.
Tags: weight loss, your body, body needs, losing weight, loss muscle-building, starchy vegetables