3 Easy Steps to Build Muscle and get Fit

Building muscle can be a daunting task. It takes time and dedication. There is no easy way to go about it; however, with a plan, you can get the body you want.

Step 1: Develop a plan of attack.

If you are relatively new to working out with weights, you may want to opt first for a full body plan. By doing this, you allow your major muscle groups to adjust to the new movements. A full body workout can be done 3 to 4 times per week. To keep your muscles guessing, change up the exercises you choose every so often. If you get bored easily, you may want to have two full body plans that you alternate.

Once your body is warming up to the idea of working out, which takes about 4 weeks, change it up and move to a split plan. A split plan is based on the idea of focusing on different body parts on different days. This type of plan allows a more thorough workout for your muscles.

The other alternative to developing your own plan is to find a plan such as Body for Life, P90x or The Eat Clean Diet Workout. All of these options provide sound information for getting your best body ever. In the case of P90x, it would be best to be of at least average fitness prior to starting since it’s a more advanced program.

Step 2: Implementation.

Now that you have an idea of what you are going to do, it’s time to get started. Let people around you, such as friends and family, know that you are working on building a healthier, more muscular body. Cultivate their support, as this also gives you some accountability. Schedule you workouts. Write them on a calendar, write them in your day planner, key them into your blackberry–whatever works best for you. Once they are scheduled, treat them the same way you would treat a business meeting or any other event. No skipping workouts.

Step 3: Learn how to eat.

Many people are uneducated on what to eat and when. You need to consume five small meals per day, or 3 meals and 2 snacks. Essentially, you should be eating every two and a half to three hours. When you eat, skip the crap. Lean proteins and complex carbohydrates are you new best friends. Scale down your alcohol intake if you are a drinker. Alcohol is full of sugars and empty calories.

There are so many factors that play on how easily muscle mass is built, including but not limited to genetics. The above suggestions won’t turn you into the Hulk, but they are a good place to start. Remember to work your body as a whole. With so much information and misinformation available online, you would do well to seek the help of a qualified trainer.