Before reading this article, please note that if you want to build lean quality muscle, there are a number of factors that need to be addressed 100%. Number one is nutrition and diet, number two is lifestyle and number three is training. I can’t stress how important it is to get each one of these factors correct in order to achieve your goals! In my opinion, nutrition counts towards 70% of your battle when trying to lean down and build quality muscle. To put in frankly, without a proper nutrition and lifestyle , you are wasting your time training in the gym. Now’s the time to make a change.
Diet and nutrition
Below is a general weight/fat loss diet that can help you form the building blocks to your own . Below I’ve listed a starter stack   for anyone who wants to build some decent lean muscle .
1. Whey protein
2. Fat burners
3. Creatine
Eating Routine
The key to any diet  is consuming  clean calories. This means eliminating any sugary and greasy foods.
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Upon Rising:
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Drink 300-500ml pure water 1 fat burner to kick start the day } pineapple juice or water 30-40 mins power walk or other cardio exercise
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Meal # 1: (8.00am)
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3 egg whites + 1 whole egg or 100g low fat cottage cheese or Raw nuts and seeds + 1 serve rolled oats or wholemeal toast (I piece) or apple
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Meal # 2: (10.30am)
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1 serving of whey protein (mix in 150ml water)
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Meal # 3: (1.00pm)
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1 serve chicken breast, fish, lean beef or tuna ½ serve brown rice, sweet potato or pasta 1 large serve green veg or salad (olive oil dressing)
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Meal # 4: (4.00pm) (if training)
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1 serving of whey protein (in 150ml water) or 100g low fat cottage cheese 100g Nestle diet yoghurt or small apple
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Meal # 5:(8.30pm)
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1 serve chicken breast, fish or lean beef 2 serves non-starchy veg/salad
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Immediately after all weight training
2 Servings of whey protein (mix in water)
1 x banana
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Serving sizes
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Protein:
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size of hand (palm only)
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Carbs:
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size of clenched fist (cooked)
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Note:
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Drink 42ml water/kg bodyweight/day Rotate protein and carb sources. Have as much variety as possible within the guidelines. If hungry in the evening, snack on raw organic cashews and almonds. (Not too many though)
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Weight training philosophy
My training philosophy is all about QUALITY. I believe in 100% mental focus on the job at hand (just like a martial arts expert, Buddhist monk or yoga). Focus should be placed on feeling every working muscle fibre on every rep of every set. Body building training is truly a lifelong endeavour which can be improved upon every day. Attitude and mental focus whilst in the gym may be the most important part of training. However, there are some major principles to adhere to.
The correct exercise technique Training the right way
Always use correct form and full range of motion. Never sacrifice your form to lift a heavier weight. This may result in injury which could stop your progress altogether.
Overloading
You must constantly increase the load on your muscles to stimulate a growth response. This can be done by simply raising the working weight or volume.
The correct tempo Always lower the working weight slowly – this is called the eccentric contraction. Don’t bounce at the bottom. Pause briefly and drive the weight up with the maximum control.
Variation
This is not only the “spice of life” but the spice of your body building training.
1. Vary your exercises every 4-6 weeks
2. Vary your rep tempo every 4-6 weeks i.e. during a strength/power phase you may contract and hold the top position for one second. Lower the weight (eccentric contraction) for two seconds. Pause briefly at the stretched or bottom position and drive the weight up for one second. During giant sets you may lower the weight for 4 seconds and squeeze the weight up for two seconds with no pause at the top or bottom positions. Rep tempo variation is rarely used but it can be a great way to blast through training plateaus.
3. Vary your training volume
My strength phase is just two exercises (compound if possible) per body part for just three working sets of each. My hypertrophy phase is 3-4 exercises/body part with 3-4 sets each.
Warming up
Always warm up – specifically the muscles you’re about to train. I use activation techniques from strength coaches Mark Verstaigen and Jamo Nezzar pre-workout. Do not static stretch until AFTER you workout or on rest days. It may cause the muscles to actually be weaker for 30 minutes following.
I personally do four week training blocks starting with
Phase 1: week 1-4 giant sets
Phase 2: 5-8 strength plus hypertrophy
Phase 3: 9-12 hypertrophy #1(pyramiding) reps 12 10 8 6
Phase 4: 13-16 hypertrophy #2 (pyramiding reps 15 12 10 8
My training split does vary. However, most of the time it is as follows:
Day 1 Shoulders. Triceps
Day 2 Hamstrings. Back
Day 3 Rest
Day 4 Chest. Biceps
Day 5 Rest
Day 6 Calves. Quads
Day 7 Rest
Rest
Even though I have a structured plan, my training is still very instinctive. I really believe you must listen to your body. If I become tired or run down and not recovering well, I will take off an extra day off. I normally take 7 complete days off after 16 week training block.
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