Posts Tagged ‘gaining muscle’
My younger brother, Ron, is a competitive distance runner. His normal routine is to run at least five miles every day, sometimes more depending on where he is in terms of preparing for a race. His routine is so intense that even though he is eating double the amount of a normal man his age he cannot seem to keep any weight on his slender frame.
Now that he’s entering university he’s become more self-conscious of his thinness. In an effort to bulk up without compromising his running ability he has been researching how to gain muscle mass. Two things that he’s changed already are adding more protein and healthy fats into his diet and adding weight lifting three times a week to his routine. He is still very slender, but he is beginning to notice an increase in the muscle mass of his biceps and triceps.
There are so many new nutritional supplements out there that “experts” purport can help you lose weight. It’s hard to decide what supplements are best for you when you want to lose weight. Chromium picolinate is a supplement that is naturally absorbed by the body and can help you build muscle mass.
Chromium works by increasing the body’s efficiency in processing the hormone insulin, which the pancreas releases after you eat protein or carbohydrates. Chromium acts by making the receptor cells of the muscles more sensitive to insulin. This allows the body to store more carbohydrates in the muscle cells instead of the fat cells. People who supplement their diets with chromium may notice themselves gaining muscle mass quickly.
Contrary to the saying “thin is in,” there is a percentage of our society who dream otherwise. These are the people who want to add a few muscles to their bones. For those who are seriously trying to gain muscle fast, here are a few tips:
~ Ask an expert. Before anything else, before starting any diet or exercise regimen, consult with a physician.
~ Do your research. The market is saturated with weight gainers that lure you into getting results fast. Read the labels. Remember, you can’t gain weight overnight the same way you can’t lose weight that quickly.
~ Eat healthy. If possible, consult a dietician or nutritionist to help you create a diet plan that will work for you. Avoid empty calorie snacks.
~ Lastly, psyche your mind. Gaining weight takes a lot of discipline, patience, and willpower. You better put your heart and soul to it if you want to achieve your goal.