Eating to build muscle


Since my goal this year is to add ten pounds of muscle to my body, I'm focusing on foods that are high in protein, that I like, and I can eat over and over and over. And to find the right foods for you will take some experimenting, which is fine if you've dedicated a year to doing this. If you try something and it tastes awful, spit it out, go back to something that you know, and give yourself credit for trying. But don't be afraid to change things up. Humans are omnivores, and we like variety.

I've put together a good catalog of meals that I enjoy, like the one pictured above, which I just finished a little while ago. Yes, I know it looks like breakfast, but I had it as my dinner. And I'll probably have a very light supper in a couple of hours, late in the evening.

As you know, muscle isn't built during a workout, it's build afterwards. Yes, of course you gotta train hard, and lift some heavy weights, but afterwards is when the construction begins. I'm making a point to drink water all day long, to get a good night's sleep (the dogs have been taught to not wake me up in the morning - good dogs!), and to eat several meals a day, none of which are terribly heavy. The one in the pic is about 500 calories, which is the biggest meal that I've had all day.

I start my eating day with a simple breakfast biscuit, with my coffee. My stomach isn't ready for much more than that for at least an hour or two in the morning, so I don't force feed. I never, ever force-feed! When my stomach is ready for a light meal (around 9 or so) I'll eat, and then have my next meal in a couple of hours, and so on. I listen to my body, and if it's not ready for more food I'll wait a little bit longer. I have no rigid schedule!

As of this writing, on January 5th, I'm at 162 pounds, and I'd like to be at 170 by the end of year (and still able to button up my blue jeans!). I'll let you know how it goes.



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