You’ve put in the hours of working out, eating right, and and supplementing the way the pros say you should. But you’re still not getting that chiseled, ripped physique that you want and that you’re working for. What else can you do to get the results that you deserve? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below are 8 tips to get ripped!
Tip 1: Junk Food is NOT Your Friend
Refined sugars, processed foods, and empty carbs should be avoided at all costs! If you want that fit physique, then you’re going to need to say goodbye to the junk food. Instead, a healthy diet of protein, good fats, and complex carbs can not only give you the energy you need for your workouts, but can help you feel fuller longer, and curb your appetite for snacks. When choosing your foods, make sure you choose unprocessed, high-quality items that meet your nutritional needs.
Tip 2: Make a Game Plan
If you want to be serious about losing weight and gaining muscle, you’re going to want to create a realistic game plan. Through this game plan you’re going to want to plan your meals, plan your workouts, decide when you’ll take your supplements, and even include a stress management plan. Stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol in the body, which in turn breaks down your immune system and muscle tissue. This can kill your workouts and even halt your weight loss. By planning for all these variables, you’re not going to be blindsided by something you’re not equipped to handle. A TDEE calculator is a great tool to help you figure out how many calories your burning, which in turn can help you plan the most successful meals.
Tip 3: Protein is Your Friend
Protein is something you’re going to absolutely want to consume more of to your diet. When you do so, you not only reduce hunger but rev up your metabolism by stabilizing the blood’s glucose levels. Since protein takes a while to break down, you remain fuller for longer, and have a constant source of energy for longer if taken before a workout. Protein also helps repair muscle tissue damage, so consuming it after a workout is a must as well.
Tip 4: Limit the Shakes
Sure, drinking a protein shake after an intense workout is an easy way to replenish the nutrients that you’ve lost during that workout. But, when you drink multiple shakes a day in place of meals, you set yourself up for problems. Shakes just don’t feel you up the way solid food does, and can contain higher levels of calories than you may think. This can lead to unwanted weight gain, and can even encourage your body to snack between meals.
Tip 5: L-Carnitine is a Must
Studies have shown that when taken regularly, L-carnitine can encourage your body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. It may even improve your overall performance and reduce muscle soreness before and after your workouts.
Tip 6: Get Some Sleep
Believe it or not, sleep is just as important to losing weight as exercise and diet. When you constantly go without restful sleep, your metabolism can slow way down, and you can even develop poor insulin sensitivity. Restful sleep allows you to control your food intake better, discouraging eating at night and allowing you to devote more natural energy to your workouts.
Tip 7: Don’t Knock the Intervals
Interval training is an important key to fat loss. No, you don’t have to dedicate hours to the treadmill on a daily basis. Instead, a good way to integrate interval training into your workout is to add burpees in between your weightlifting sets, or doing a few timed sets when completing a major compound lift.
Tip 8: Don’t Give Up
Getting ripped isn’t an easy challenge, and it’s not one that’s going to happen overnight. It’s important to remember that your weight loss isn’t going to happen at a consistent pace, and that some weeks are going to be harder than others. You’re going to have setbacks, plateaus, and days where you’re just not going to want to push yourself. But, as long as you keep moving forward, even if it’s only by inches or ounces, you’re winning.
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