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. It’s important to note that most of the muscle gaining takes place in the off season, a time when eating large amounts of protein, eating small meals, and taking supplements throughout the day is vital for bodybuilding success.

After this phase, bodybuilders go through several phases that involve changing the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods, lean proteins and supplements like Stemulite that support the training program at each stage. 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. According to Louise Burke, author of the book “Practical Sports Nutrition”, bodybuilders support their performance outcome by eating high amounts of protein and healthy carbs throughout the day. 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 - During this phase, it is common practice to follow a very rigid eating plan that means eating every 2-3 hours - even overnight. To eat just enough food to maintain weight and to be able to allow the body to increase strength is your goal for this phase. This may be reached with the right choice of foods that build up muscle and 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 requires a bodybuilder to maintain a schedule of sustained weight loss up to the event and involves severe calorie restriction to to help get rid of body fat. The primary goal here is to lose body fat and not muscle that was built up during the off-season. To be able to attain this, consuming low-fat, high protein meals, or replacing a meal with a complete nutritional supplement like Stemulite Fitness Formula, and coordinate meals with a consistent workout regimen.

Cutting Phase - This involves severe calorie restriction to stimulate rapid fat loss, and usually is done before the competitive event. Many bodybuilders drastically reduce their calories and rely on supplements to achieve nutritional balance. This phase may also include intensive circuit training routines and getting more rest so that the body can recover easily.

Post Competition - Since bodybuilders have been on a near starvation diet for up to 6 months before a competition, a lot of them consume enormous amounts of food immediately after the competition. This can be a health hazard for many, especially for those that end up gaining a lot of weight in a very short period of time. To avoid compromising their health in the during this stage and to maintain some of the results they have worked hard for, bodybuilders should ease themselves into a healthier diet program.

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 the training program.

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