16/08/2023
Hey boss babes! Let’s talk about HOW TO TONE UP WITHOUT GAINING UNWANTED FAT⬇️
🥦Nutrition is key here, and if you’re trying to gain muscle (b***y and thicc thighs, yes please!) you should be eating in a small, controlled calorie surplus. How this goes wrong is when this calorie surplus becomes excessive and the excess calories are stored as fat (instead of being used to build muscle).
💡I'm a firm believer that knowledge about nutrition can really help you make better decisions in the long term (and therefore, help achieve your goals better!), so let me explain to you how I like to look at it.
📝There are 3 main macronutrients: carbs, protein, and fats. They all play their role in helping our bodies function properly and have different calories.
Carbs are your body’s preferred choice of fuel during intense workouts such as weight training, ensuring you're performing at your best. They contain 4kcal/ g. 🍌
Protein will help your muscle repair and rebuild after exercise, so it’s vital for those gains. 🍗It contains 4kcal/ g.
Fats help to keep your hormones in harmony. 🥑 They contain 9kcal/g.
So, if your go to breakfast is, say, a bagel with some strips of bacon in the morning, this would contain a lot of fat - which we have learnt has the most calories in a single gram. Once in a while it won’t hurt you, but if you’re regularly having this , the high fat content may well be excessive and lead you to go over your calorie target.
A better choice would be to opt for bacon medallions, or maybe even turkey rashers. This way you can still enjoy the food you like, but without adding in excess calories that are not really doing much for your training goals.
Remember, when it comes to gaining muscle, all you need to do is:
- have a training plan that incorporates progressive overload
- nourish your body right for your training goals
- be consistent!
Stay patient and give your body the time it needs to make those lean, strong gains. You've got this! 👑💃