Athletes Test the High Protein Lifestyle
So, you want to lose those few inches but don’t want to be uncomfortable, hungry, or irritable while going through the process!
Gaining mass or those big puffy muscles aren’t a problem as long as you eat clean and with high intensity work out.
It also helps improve energy levels and uplifts your athletic performance.
But be careful, eating protein isn’t just eating all those that are available on the store that says “PROTEIN”. You have to establish your maintenance on your calorie intake and such substances that can give you all the nutrients that you need.
Here, you will learn about the pros and cons of bulking and some recommendations for doing them.
What do you mean by Bulk?
This is generally a period where you eat to load calories strategically for your body. What I mean with strategically, you have to know your approach to your eating habits and what you intake collectively. People mostly combine the idea of bulking with high-intensity resistance training to enhance muscle build-up.
What do you mean by Cutting?
It enables you to cut down calories to lose body fat but, in the meantime, maintain the muscle mass as much as possible. Bodybuilders and athletes go through a cutting period following a bulking phase before their competitive season.
Pros and Cons of Bulking and Cutting
Both phases can benefit you in numerous ways if you combine them with resistance training programs. However, there are certain downfalls to be aware of.
Bulking Pros
- Enhances muscle build-up
- Encourages strength gain
- Promotes bone density
- Initiates healthy libido
Bulking Cons
- Can lean-to excessive fat gain
- Can decrease your insulin sensitivity
- Can decline the athletic performance
- Can make you sluggish
Cutting Pros
- Encourages fat loss
- Enhances muscle appearance
- Can promote insulin sensitivity
- Enables a better athletic body
Cutting Cons
- You see a slight muscle loss
- Can diminish various sex hormones
- Increased urge to hunger
- May decrease bone density
- Might affect your sleep patterns
What to Eat During Bulking Phase?
It is recommended to focus on nutrients and foods rich in calories to initiate rapid muscle growth. You can indulge in lean proteins, legumes, healthy fats, high-quality carbs, fruit, non-starchy veggies, dark leafy veggies, cruciferous veggies, drinks like water, diet soda, tea, coffee, and real fruit juices, etc.
Keep in mind to stay away from highly processed foods, saturated fats, and beverages like sweetened coffee, lemonade, or any sugary drink.
What to Eat During Cutting Phase?
When you enter a cutting phase, your main aim must be on highly nutritious food that is low in calories. This will help in weight loss and muscle gain gradually.
You can depend on lean proteins, legumes, a little number of healthy fats, fruits with less sugar content, carbs rich in fiber, non-starchy veggies, green veggies, and drinks such as water, unsweetened tea, and coffee, etc.
Make sure you limit your intake of high-calorie processed foods, sweetened drinks, high-fat proteins.
How to Achieve the Desired Results?
If you want the best of the results, you must keep the phases in alternation. Like, if you are looking for some strength and muscle gain, you should begin with periodic bulking.
At this time, you will see that you have put on a good number of new muscles by cutting down the extra kilos as well. This cycling method will help you gain muscles and at the same time restrict your fat deposits.
Summary
Both strategies of bulking and cutting complement each other and bodybuilders often use one by one to gain muscles and reduce fat.
With any small change in your diet, you must consult your healthcare physician before starting any aggressive bulking or cutting methods if you have some health conditions.