You can support muscle growth by eating a diet rich in whole foods. Protein is especially important for building muscle, as are healthy carbohydrates and fats. Avoid low-nutrient foods and drinks like sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, refined carbs, and alcohol on a muscle-building diet.
A calorie surplus of 500 calories is usually a good place to start to promote muscle gains ( 2 ). The majority of the diet is made up of calorie- and nutrient-dense whole foods, such as rice, nuts, nut butters, red meats, salmon, dried fruit, avocados, healthy cereals, whole eggs, and full-fat dairy products.
You're not eating enough – one of the main causes of not being able to build muscle is not eating enough and more importantly, not eating enough of the right food. Everyone bangs on about the importance of protein, but carbs and fats are just as important when it comes to growing muscle.
To safely and effectively gain muscle, you need to increase your total calorie needs by at least 3500 calories per week, or about 500 extra calories per day, depending on your activity level. As much as you may dislike calorie counting, it is vital for your weight gain as well as for fat loss.
A bulking phase can last anywhere from 1 month to over 6 months or longer, depending on your goals. To start bulking, add a given number of calories to your typical daily calorie intake.
A dirty bulk is when you go into a caloric surplus by eating whatever and whenever you want. This usually includes a lot of junk, greasy, and fatty foods.
True beginners might see muscle growth within six weeks of starting a resistance training program, and advanced lifters may see results within six to eight weeks of switching up their usual strength training regimen.
Add squats, deadlifts, pull-ups, bent-over rows, bench presses, dips, and military presses to your workout. Do two or three sets of eight to 12 repetitions in every session, with about 60 seconds of rest between sets. We suggest going to the gym four days a week, alternating the muscles you work on.
Rice: White rice has been arguably considered one of the best foods for adding muscle. It provides a high volume of carbohydrates per serving and is an easy filler. Combine rice with some veggies and protein for a perfect post-workout meal.
Adding pasta to your daily diet is a healthy way of building muscle mass as it's rich in carbohydrates and protein. Adding light sauces, lean meats and low-fat cheeses to your dish is also recommended.
They usually have very fast metabolisms so you need to support your body with enough fuel.” His guideline for mass building is to consume 20-to-25 calories per pound of body weight per day. Protein should be 1-gram per pound of body weight per day.
Cardiovascular health should never be ignored
Cardio while bulking is important for the same reason cardio is important at all times. If you focus on mass and neglect cardio, you'll end up tired out when walking upstairs or performing a light jog.
For many people, getting shredded requires them to build muscle mass or "bulking" before focusing on fat loss. And that's really it in a nutshell; there are only two requirements for getting a six-pack: Build abdominal muscles. Lose body fat.
Generally, it's better to bulk first and then cut if your goal is to build muscle. But, again, it all depends on your goals. Bulking first and then cutting allows you to increase muscle mass and then cut down excess fat or weight you gained during the bulk.
If you're of average build and go to the gym regularly, two protein shakes a day is enough to maintain your body mass. But if you're seriously involved in athletic sports, fitness practices and strength exercises, you may need to drink three to four protein shakes daily to sustain your physique and performance.
Extra protein intake also can lead to elevated blood lipids and heart disease because many high-protein foods you eat are high in total and saturated fat. Extra protein intake, which can tax the kidneys, poses an additional risk to people predisposed to kidney disease.