Building Muscle - Lifestyle And Diet Mistakes That Need To Be Avoided

For many beginner bodybuilders, the process of building muscle largely rests on strength training exercises coupled with cardio workouts

. This is true in most ways, of course, since cardio workouts melt the fat while strength training exercises build the muscles.

However, there is more to safe, fast and effective bodybuilding than cardio and resistance training workouts. You must also look into your diet and lifestyle habits more than a few of which may be ruining your chances of actually building muscle in all the right places. Let's take a look at a few of these mistakes that you must obviously correct as soon as possible.

First, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages at any time is dangerous because of the high risks for cancer, strokes and chronic degenerative diseases. But when you are following a strength training program, you are sabotaging your success by consuming these substances. How do these substances hinder your goals in building muscle?

For one thing, carbon monoxide from the cigarettes prevent your body from getting optimum amounts of oxygen necessary for practically all cellular processes. Your muscles have lesser amounts of oxygen, thus, making them less likely to contract, not to mention limiting their capacity to work well.

For another thing, alcohol lessens your testosterone levels. In turn, you will observe lesser muscle mass even when you are working out twice as hard. Plus, alcohol covers your abdominal muscles with a stubborn layer of fat.

Well, of course, you must quit smoking if building muscle is on top of your fitness goals. If you must drink alcoholic drinks, we suggest doing so moderately - 2 drinks per day is the maximum limit.

Second, starving yourself after a strength training workout is also a serious mistake in bodybuilding. Why? Your body breaks down its muscle tissues into amino acids and converts these into glucose for energy. Common sense tells us that this will result in lesser muscle mass.

Eat after your strength training workout. This way, your body has a source of energyfrom which to repair its muscles from the injuries suffered during the exercises. Keep in mind that it is during the recovery phase when muscles grow.

We suggest a high-carbohydrate meal coupled with a good dose of protein. Better yet, drink your favorite sports drink before and during your exercise so that your body has a regular source of energy.

And speaking of the recovery phase, you must also get sufficient number of hours sleep when you are building muscle. Think of it this way: When you lack sleep, you will perform strength training exercises at a lower intensity. Your muscles are then not receiving sufficient stress to enable them to grow as well as you expected.

Indeed, don't fall into the trap of thinking that building muscle is an exercise-centered goal. Look at the bigger picture of mixing exercise, diet and lifestyle.

by: Dave Taylor

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