Increasing muscle size, strength and endurance is the result of a consistent workout regimen and a sound nutrition program with the aid of a complete nutritional supplement. Almost all professional bodybuilders and athletes go through ‘phases’ during their training programs to ensure they are meeting their performance goals and eating just enough to feed their muscles. Eating large amounts of protein, eating small meals, and taking supplement throughout the course of the day is essential for success, and to maximize muscle gain, this is usually done during the off season phase.

After going through this phase, bodybuilders go through several other phases that requires them to change the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods, lean proteins, and supplements like Stemulite to be able to support each stage of the training program. Understanding what is involved in each of these phases can help you create an effective training program that gets the results you need.

The Off Season – The goal of this phase is to build as much muscle as possible. Bodybuilders support their performance outcome by eating healthy carbs and high amounts of protein through the course of the day, according to Louise Burke, the expert author of “Practical Sports Nutrition”. They typically follow a consistent schedule of these foods to make sure they’re meeting their protein requirements and may design their eating plan around their workouts to further enhance results.

Hypertrophy Phase – A bodybuilder is required to follow a rigid eating plan that means eating every 2 or 3 hours and even throughout the night. To consume just the right amount of food to maintain weight and to be able to allow the body to increase strength is your goal for this phase. This is done with careful selection of muscle-building foods and healthy carbs that provide sustainable energy.

Competition Prep – 6 to 16 weeks before the event is when most body builders begin to prepare for a competition. This period may involve severe calorie restriction to reduce body fat, and maintain a schedule of sustained weight loss up to the event. Eliminating body fat, and not muscle that was built up over the off-season is the primary goal here. This can be achieved by eating low-fat, high protein meals, or replacing a meal with a complete nutritional supplement like Stemulite Fitness Formula, and coordinating meals with a consistent workout regimen.

Cutting Phase – This phase typically occurs right before the competitive event, and involves severe calorie restriction to stimulate rapid fat loss. Many bodybuilders drastically reduce their calories and rely on supplements to achieve nutritional balance. So that the body can recover easily, this phase includes intensive circuit training routines and more rest.

Post Competition – Since bodybuilders have been on a strict diet for up to 6 months before a competition, a lot of them consume enormous amounts of food immediately after the competition. This is a health hazard for many because a drastic increase in weight in a short period of time. Bodybuilders who want to avoid weight gain during this stage can ease themselves into a healthier eating program so that they can maintain some of the results they worked so hard for and not compromise their health in the process.

Maintaining a steady nutrition program is difficult with the different phases that most bodybuilders go through. Get to increase your chances of long term success with sound nutritional principles, using a supplement like Stemulite, and work with a nutritionist or dietitian throughout training.

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