| When you picture a bodybuilder, what's the first thing | | | | bodybuilding competitions require protein and |
| that comes to mind? For many people, a bodybuilder is | | | | carbohydrate-rich diets, and also take a variety of |
| the classical sculpture of a Greek or Roman warrior | | | | nutritional supplements. The recommended bodybuilding |
| brought to 21st century life; with a physique sharply | | | | diet has a 40:40:20 protein: carbohydrate: fat ratio, and |
| defining more muscles than most of us even know we | | | | the bulk of the carbohydrates are complex carbs from |
| have. And bodybuilding is the combined program of | | | | sources like whole grain cereals, breads, pastas, beans |
| weight training and nutritional planning through which a | | | | and yams. Whole grains are also excellent sources of |
| classical physique can, with a serious commitment, be | | | | the dietary fiber essential to a good bodybuilding |
| yours. But arriving at a competitive bodybuilder's | | | | nutrition plan, as are vegetables like broccoli and fruits |
| physique will take time, so don't give up if you aren't | | | | like blueberries. |
| rewarded with immediate results. | | | | The third pillar of bodybuilding success is to stay |
| The weight training involved in bodybuilding will not only | | | | hydrated throughout your workout, because muscles |
| result in the muscular strength required of competitive | | | | under the stress of a lengthy weight lifting session will |
| weight lifters who are briefly able to lift more than their | | | | quickly exhaust their water supply. You should drink |
| own weight with ease; it will also build muscular | | | | water before you begin your exercise, again when |
| endurance associated with aerobic activity. Most | | | | you are done, and in between sets if you need to. But |
| well-rounded exercise programs, whether for | | | | you should also drink plenty of water even on the |
| professional or amateur athletes, in fact, will include | | | | days when you aren't working out, because it is a |
| some work with free weights or weight machines, in | | | | great way to help your system flush out the toxins |
| addition to aerobics. Not only will a properly designed | | | | which can accumulate in your muscles following your |
| weight lifting program improve you overall physical | | | | workout. |
| conditioning; it can be targeted to help you recover | | | | The final thing to remember before beginning a |
| from an injury. And even senior citizens can use | | | | bodybuilding career is that you need to start slowly, |
| weight lifting to help them maintain their muscle tone | | | | with a routine appropriate for your existing fitness level. |
| and flexibility. | | | | Your muscles will get the time they need to become |
| But the best bodybuilding program in the world will be | | | | conditioned, and you'll get the time you need to perfect |
| sadly ineffective if it is not accompanied by a nutrition | | | | your lifting form and techniques, so that all your muscle |
| plan specifically designed to support the tremendous | | | | groups will work in sync and you will lessen your risk |
| demands it will place on your body. Athletes involved in | | | | of injury! |