Bodybuilding is not easy. It takes concentration and utmost dedication. You have to keep in mind that it is going to be a very long and hard process and results can’t be expected overnight. It will not only take all your extra time but considerable amount of money too.
Just going to the gym is not enough. You have to alter your eating habits and your exercise routine to achieve the desired results. You might be tempted to take short cuts. They might even show you quick results, but ultimately you will be causing damage to your body, most of which may be irreversible. What you need to do is to follow the process step by step, and bear with it patiently.
1. Have a Complete Medical Check-up
You might wish for a perfect body and give it your full dedication. But such strenuous exercises and dramatic food changes may reveal certain underlying medical conditions that might worsen with your fitness routine.
Once you’ve decided to build your body, go visit a doctor for a full physical checkup.The doctor will be able to help you with these conditions, should you have any. The basic tests you should insist upon are blood sugar level, cholesterol, lungs functionality and bone density.
Overexertion, while not keeping a tab on these conditions, could be very bad. But once you’ve taken the necessary precautions, you have already accomplished the first step towards bodybuilding.
2. Try Super Foods
Superfoods are rich in minerals, vitamins, protein, and basically everything you need to build muscle mass, improve your muscle functionality, re-energize, cut down the recovery time from workouts and keep yourself healthy.
A daily diet comprising any of these foods, or a combination of them, whether in a solid or liquid form, will definitely help you with bodybuilding. Make sure you have them prepared beforehand to aid you during and after the workouts.
3. Get Rid of Bad Habits
You need to get rid of all your junk eating habits. Heavy desserts and fast foods provide you with energy for a short time, but do nothing substantial for you in the long run.
You need healthy lungs for a healthy life, and therefore, smoking should be the first on your list of habits to get rid of.
In addition to weight retention, excessive alcohol consumption also leads to liver diseases or even liver failure. This severely hinders the functionality of your body.
Once your body is healthy, you can dedicate yourself to your fitness routine without being held back by the consequences of your bad habits.
4. Consult or Hire a Trainer
They have the expertise and the experience, and can best guide you on the does and don’ts of bodybuilding. A trainer will tell you what exercises to do and how to do them properly without injuring yourself. They can further advise you on whether you can work out from home or need to join a gym, or whether you need a full time or a part-time trainer, what equipment to use and how to use it.
A fitness expert will be able to discuss with you the duration of your workouts, a diet plan and how you should progress with the regime. There are many things that need to be done before and after a workout. The trainer will be able to tell you about all these things in details.
5. Get all the Necessities
If you have decided to join a gym, then that’s great! The gym will provide you with everything you need: consultation, nutrition and equipment. But if not, then there are things you must acquire before you begin your training:
- Proper workout outfit: Comfortable and loose clothes for both men and women. Clothes should not be too tight otherwise they restrict blood flow.
- Shoes: Athletic running shoes, or any proper running shoes, for long runs outdoors or on the treadmill.
- Fluids: Proper hydration is very important for effective workouts. Make sure that you have water or fresh juices with you at all times.
- Extras: A heart rate monitor to keep a check on your exertion levels. For the exercise, treadmills, dumbbells or a jump rope should more than suffice.
6. Make a Routine
Start with a basic exercises and See which ones suits you better, and stick with them.
Create step-by-step goals and Decide the number of hours you wish to dedicate to your fitness sessions every week. Once you have established a regime, make a chart of your progression to see when and how to add to the workout routine. Don’t overexert yourself from the beginning.
Look into pre and post-workout exercises and food items that would help you recover from the fatigue faster. Make a daily chart of breakfast, lunch and dinner, and make sure anything you add to this chart contains superfoods. Altering your sleeping patterns to get quality sleep can also be instrumental in achieving your dream body.