subject: Why Bodybuilders Shouldn't Lose Weight Quickly [print this page] A few weeks before a bodybuilding event, many professional bodybuilders train for the competition by organizing the nutrition and workout schedules they have to be able to lose body fat. The final weeks before the competition is when bodybuilders are focused in losing as much fat as they possibly can, even though building muscle and strength is what they were focused on the months before.
While this strategy often works for the average bodybuilder and athlete, it is also very dangerous. Losing weight very quickly can cause a number of health problems and even lead to poor performance during a strength training competition. Starvation diets and fasting are common practices used by bodybuilders, professional wrestlers and other athletes who want to meet a certain weight goal, but the side effects can outweigh any benefits.
One adverse effect of rapid weight loss is a decrease of strength and power. The author of "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete", Catherine Jackson, stated that when you go an extremely low-calorie diet the results are that you will lose a lot of water, glycogen and electrolyte. An athlete will not be able to get through their training routine at the potential they can because this has made them weak and have reduced that ability. This loss can be compensated by the intake of a complete nutritional supplement like Stemulite Fitness Formula.
Another side effect of weight loss is an extremely low energy level. Battling fatigue and low energy can make it very difficult to stay focused on any sport or activity, and bodybuilders in particular may become vulnerable to injury or poor motivation as a result of an insufficient diet.
A decrease in endurance will be felt by those who restrict too much calories from their diet right before the competition. The body will not be able to handle the stress of a continuous workout, and it will be difficult for him to push himself while in a challenging workout, no matter how hard he has trained in the time before he went on the extreme diet. This can be detrimental to the routine of the body builder, and it will be difficult to stay motivated.
When someone is starved, they tend to become irritable and moody, which makes it hard for the athlete to be committed to the workout and push themselves to the highest potential. They may return to the activities they used to do and become obsessed with food, especially sugar and sweets. To compensate for the low mood they are in, they might binge or overeating due to the extended starvation and which will quickly derail the months spent eating healthily.
Becoming vulnerable to colds and infections is another side effect of poor nutrition. The immune system can begin to shut down because it does not have enough energy to fight off bacteria and viruses. Athletes need to pay close attention to their state of health, as the flu or colds can limit their ability to undertake physical activities.
Bodybuilders and athletes who want to be successful in their athletic careers must learn to take a gradual approach to dieting and weight loss, and focus on staying in shape year-round rather than just during the 'on season.' Staying on a yo-yo cycle of starvation, overeating and 'carb loading' can be detrimental to the mind and the body. Maintaining sound nutrition habits and focusing on long-term goals can help bodybuilders maintain their health and reduce the need for extreme measures.
