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Build Muscle!
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Eating
Well Despite By Skip La Cour The biggest obstacle you may face when trying to implement a proper bodybuilding nutritional program is your busy schedule at work and at play. Everything else seems to take priority over eating correctly. It is always more convenient to stop at Burger King for a Whopper and fries rather than going home and cooking chicken breasts, rice, and vegetables. The bottom line is you have to make the commitment to change. Eating right can’t be something you "should" do, it has to be something you "must" do if you want to have the body you desire. Everything worth having takes extra effort. Your body is no exception. Let's face it, if it were easy, everybody would have a fantastic physique! You have taken the first step in changing your eating habits by seeking nutritional counseling. Since I am a bodybuilder, it is very important that I eat well on a consistent basis. But, just like you, I work and try to have some sort of social life as well. Here are some tips that I have come up with to make sure I eat well despite my busy schedule. Organization and advanced planning are essential. Plan ahead and create diet menus for the entire week; then go to the grocery store and purchase all the food you will need. Don't get caught short; you'll be less likely to go back to the store in the middle of your busy week. Choose food containers that will make eating more convenient. Rubbermaid "Servin' Saver" food containers are ideal for eating on the go. Ziploc plastic bags are very versatile and will keep your food fresh. Smaller ice chests come in a variety of fashionable and convenient styles that can keep your food cold while you’re driving around in your car or sitting at your desk. Get in the habit of carrying water with you at all times. More and more people are discovering the benefits of drinking 8 glasses of water a day, and those "spring water" bottles are becoming more and more visible. Make time to eat smaller meals throughout the day. If you plan ahead and cook your meals the night before or in the morning, put your container of food in the microwave and it will take only ten minutes to eat a meal 5 or 6 times a day. Your body will use food more efficiently if you replace the traditional three large meals with smaller, more frequent meals. Take advantage of modern technology. There are many appliances on the market that make preparing meals a lot easier and faster. Better health and greater self-esteem are well worth the investment. People on the go should always have access to a microwave oven. If you don't have an automatic rice cooker, get one today! Don't be afraid of frozen vegetables. There is only a slight difference in the nutritional values of frozen vegetables versus fresh. They are definitely more convenient and are relatively inexpensive. Busy people just don't have time to clean and cut fresh vegetables. Instead of excluding these important foods, just take them out of the freezer and put them into your food container before you leave for work. By the time of your mid-morning meal, they should be thawed. Just make sure you eat all the food you need. Put the entire day's worth of food in one container (you'll need to choose compatible foods), and eat even amounts throughout the day. Also, don't think you are doing yourself a favor by not eating all the food that is recommended. Remember, eating a higher amount of calories – without eating in excess -- will help build muscle. This will also keep your metabolism raised and thereby help reduce body fat. Take advantage of convenient "food replacements." Whether it is Ny-Tro Pro 40, MyoPlex, Rx Fuel, or Met-Rx, meal replacements are excellent alternatives to regular food. They take the guesswork out of eating properly because they already contain the right proportion of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. This can be especially helpful in sticking to your commitment -- even with your busy schedule.
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