Many bodybuilders can identify foods that contain good fats, and bad fats. They know steak is good. They know ice cream is bad. They know milk might lie somewhere in the middle. But a poor understanding of the definitions of the three types of fat, and examples of each, could lead to the bodybuilder missing out on some really good fats that he could be consuming every day. More importantly, it could lead to a bodybuilder consuming fats, which are detrimental for long-term health, and avoiding those fats, which can actually improve health. Here are the basics.
Unsaturated Fats
These are the good fats which keep us healthy, and should be consumed daily. They make the brain and other organs function. They keep the immune system strong. Finally, they keep joints strong and aid in muscle growth. These fats can be found in salmon, sunflower seeds, avocados, and peanuts.
Saturated Fats
These fats are semi-healthy and should be consumed several times per week. They contribute to brain function, but also raise cholesterol levels. Saturated fats can be found in meat and dairy products.
Trans Fats
These are the 'bad' fats, which should be avoided. Trans fats actually lead to some cancers, fat gain, and limit muscle growth. Found in French fries and any other food cooked in hydrogenated oil, these fats have no benefits for bodybuilders.
Unsaturated fats should be a daily staple in all bodybuilders' diets - consumed at most meals. Sirloin, salmon, peanut butter, eggs, chicken, olives, and other sources of good fats are required for long lives and great physiques. Additionally, supplementing with Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) in the form of Fish Oil tablets is also required. Bodybuilders should work to learn everything they can about good and bad fats. It will help with their progress, will keep them healthier, and will possibly be very useful to educating those around them.
How To Burn Fat Build Muscle
Bodyweight training is one of the best ways to burn fat and build muscle. Unfortunately, most people believe (or are led to believe) they need a room full of equipment or an expensive gym membership in order to improve their physique. They completely overlook the fat burning and muscle building potential of bodyweight exercise. I hope this article opens your eyes to the possibilities of using the gym you were born with!
Heads up: at the end of the article I'm going to share with you one exercise that simultaneously builds muscle and burns fat.
It's happened to all of us at one point or another (even me). We look in the mirror one day and we notice we are softer and fatter. While we weren't paying attention, our muscle tone and strength has decreased, and our waist size has increased. This is when most of say, "It's time to hit the gym".
But hold on a minute. I agree, it is time to do something about your physique. But joining a gym does not have to be the answer. As a matter of fact, you can start burning fat and building muscle today to improve your physique.
Let me show you how bodyweight training can improve your physique in as little 15 minutes a day...
Instead of joining a gym, that you may or may not end up going to, start by adding a bodyweight training program to your daily schedule. Come on, it is easy to find 15 minutes to exercise. And 15 minutes is all you need to do to start feeling and looking better. Obviously, I'd like to see you exercise even more, but let's keep it simple at 15 minutes for now.
So, you wake up in the morning and do 15 minutes of bodyweight calisthenics. By the way, you'll find this more invigorating than swilling down cups of coffee. Do this every day. Yes, every day, and you will see great results.
Now, I can hear some of you saying, "I thought you were only supposed to exercise every other day, or 3 times a week!"
This is true, if you are on a high volume bodybuilding program! Bodybuilders need that extra day to recover from the huge amount of training they perform. But you are only doing 15 minutes of bodyweight exercise. This leaves you 1,440 minutes to recover between bodyweight training sessions. This is more than enough.
Now, if you do this every day for a week, you do 1 hour and 45 minutes of exercise. Do you think 1 hour and 45 minutes will start to tighten your muscles and burn off extra fat? You bet it does!
Now, for the skeptics that think bodyweight training is too "easy", or that you can't get a great muscle building, fat burning workout in 15 minutes, I'm going to share an exercise with you. (Remember, I promised to do this at the beginning of the article.)
This exercise is called the Burpee-Chin Up Combo.
Here is how you do it...
Stand under a chin up bar with your feet shoulders width apart and arms at your sides. Bend your knees and squat down, placing your hands on the floor in front of you. Kick your feet back so you are in the up position of the push up. Perform a push up. Jump your feet forward under your body... then explode up and grab the bar with palms facing you. Perform a chin up. Drop down and repeat.
Do this for a few minutes and your whole body will feel it, from your muscles to your heart and lungs, and you burn a lot of fat. Try to do as many as you can for a full 15 minutes, and I guarantee you'll have a new appreciation for bodyweight exercise.
I hope this article has opened you eyes to the fantastic possibilities of bodyweight training. If you need to strengthen and tone your muscles and burn fat, start changing your physique today with your own bodyweight. Make a consistent effort every day and you'll soon meet your goals.
Both Dane Fletcher & Eddie Lomax are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dane Fletcher has sinced written about articles on various topics from Detoxification, Body Building and Health. Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more. Dane Fletcher's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.
Eddie Lomax has sinced written about articles on various topics from Body Building, Aerobics and Fitness. Coach Eddie Lomax, author of uses bodyweight calisthenics to improve fitness, burn fat and build an attractive physique. No equipment. Eddie Lomax's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
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