When it comes to getting rid of your “Dad bod”, muscle gain is an obvious goal. With your weight under control, you can turn your attention to improving your overall physique, and enjoying the benefits of feeling stronger and healthier.
There are, however, a few potential flies in the ointment. Despite the claims of a thousand different fitness products, it’s nigh-on impossible to pack on muscle at the click of your fingers. The process of gaining muscle and improving your physique isn’t going to be easy– it’s possible, but you have to be realistic about your expectations.
If you’re not realistic, you will feel your motivation begin to crack, as you’re not seeing the results you were expecting. Sometimes, knowing the hard facts behind an endeavor is essential– even if those facts are sometimes tough to hear! So, let’s get right to it, so you can enter a muscle-building regime with all the right information in place.
Reality: Building Muscle Takes Time
Or at least, it should. You’re not going to be able to gain a huge amount of muscle over the course of a few days, so you’re going to have to commit to this for the long haul.
Of course, there are ways and means you can increase your ability to gain muscle. Eating the right foods, for example, or trying natural enhancers like Tribulus Terrestris, can help you to gain as quickly as possible– but you’re always going to be limited by simple biological fact. Try and see gaining muscle as a marathon, not a sprint.
Reality: Building Muscle Hurts
All the happy, smiling people who work out and are seemingly delighted while doing it… don’t exist outside of adverts. The truth is that gaining muscle is hard work. It’s going to hurt– in fact, it needs to hurt.
Essentially, you build muscle by breaking muscle. You lift weights, which causes micro tears along your existing muscles. When these tears repair, your body goes further than repairing the area; it also improves it, adding an extra layer over the tear. If you’re not working hard and causing those micro tears, then you’re not going to build muscle– it really is that simple.
Reality: There’s No Such Thing As An “All Body” Workout…
… or at least, there isn’t when building muscle is your primary goal. It’s possible to use elliptical machines if you want an all-body aerobic workout, but for muscle gain, you’re going to have to focus on specific areas of your body at a time.
The best way of doing this is to get into a good schedule, which gives you the chance to push each bodily area at a time. An arrangement like this should be beneficial:
- Monday: legs
- Tuesday: arms
- Wednesday: core
- Thursday: legs
- Friday: arms
- Saturday: core
- Sunday: rest.
This routine will ensure each of the major areas is sufficiently worked, but also provide your muscles with valuable rest time to recover from your previous exertions.
In Conclusion
Gaining muscle is tough, so you need all the facts to ensure your endeavor will be successful. However, if you keep the above in mind, you should begin to see your muscles grow– and all of your efforts will be 100 percent worth it.