You can get better results from your consistent workout regimen and with a sound nutrition program with the aid of a complete nutritional supplement, and have the increase in muscle size, strength and endurance that you want. Almost all professional bodybuilders and athletes go through ‘phases’ during their training programs to ensure they are meeting their performance goals and eating just enough to feed their muscles. Eating large amounts of protein, eating small meals, and taking supplement throughout the course of the day is essential for success, and to maximize muscle gain, this is usually done during the off season phase.
After going through this phase, bodybuilders go through several other phases that requires them to change the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods, lean proteins, and supplements like Stemulite to be able to support each stage of their rigorous training program. Understanding what is involved in each of these phases can help you create an effective training program that gets the results you need.
The Off Season – Your goal for this phase is to build as much muscle as you can. According to Louise Burke, author of the book “Practical Sports Nutrition”, bodybuilders support their performance outcome by eating high amounts of protein and healthy carbs throughout the day. They typically follow a consistent schedule of these foods to make sure they’re meeting their protein requirements and may design their eating plan around their workouts to further enhance results.
Hypertrophy Phase – During this phase, it is common practice to follow a very rigid eating plan that means eating every 2-3 hours – even overnight. To consume just enough food to maintain weight and to be able to allow the body to increase strength is your goal for this phase. This can be attained with a careful selection of foods that build up muscle and carbs that provide sustainable energy.
Competition Prep – Most bodybuilders begin their competition preparation between 6 to 16 weeks before the event. This period requires a bodybuilder to maintain a schedule of sustained weight loss up to the event and involves severe calorie restriction to to help get rid of body fat. The primary goal here is to lose body fat and not muscle that was built up during the off-season. This can be achieved by eating low-fat, high protein meals, or replacing a meal with a complete nutritional supplement like Stemulite Fitness Formula, and coordinating meals with a consistent workout regimen.
Cutting Phase – This involves severe calorie restriction to stimulate rapid fat loss, and typically occurs before the competitive event. Many bodybuilders rely on supplements to achieve nutritional balance as they drastically reduce their calorie intake. This phase may also include intensive circuit training routines and getting more rest so that the body can recover easily.
Post Competition – Many bodybuilders resort to binge eating immediately after the competition since they’ve been on a near starvation diet for up to 6 months prior to competition. This can be a health hazard for many, especially for those that end up gaining a lot of weight in a very short period of time. Bodybuilders who want to avoid weight gain during this stage can ease themselves into a healthier eating program so that they can maintain some of the results they worked so hard for and not compromise their health in the process.
Maintaining a steady nutrition program is difficult with the different phases that most bodybuilders go through. However, sound nutritional principles, using a supplement like Stemulite, and working with a nutritionist or dietitian throughout training can help you increase your chances of long-term success.
