The first step that you should do when starting a routine to gain muscle is to increase your protein intake.
I know that I said before it's not what it is all about yet here I am mentioning it in the first step.
However, your muscles do need protein.
Your goal should be to get about 1 gram of protein per 1.
5 pound of body weight.
The best way to get more protein is to increase how often you eat.
You should be having a meal every 2½ to 3 hours.
Make sure that these are not just protein meals.
Your body also needs carbs for energy, vegetables and fruit for vitamins and recovery and a little bit of fat.
Be sure to make healthy choices in protein (lean meats), carbs (such as whole grains) and fat (nuts or olive oils).
Not only will eating more frequently help with getting your body nutrients and protein that it needs but it will help you to start trimming away some of the access body fat that covers up some of that muscle definition.
The next step is to start gradually in your workout routine.
Don't just go all out and try to be Mr.
America on your first day.
Start where you feel comfortable.
Really, at first you should concentrate on stabilizing your body.
Work on your core muscles such as your abs and back.
This helps you tone those areas and build stabilization to help ensure that you are well proportioned and are less likely to get hurt.
You can work other parts of your body at the same time but focus on working those mainly in the beginning.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your core tight during every workout (working your core) and for every one workout you do for the front of your body, do 2 for your back.
Third, you want to change up your routine.
Your body becomes used to the same old routine and soon stops getting the best results from it.
Every few weeks change up your routine.
Find new exercises to do that work the muscles in a different way or start focusing on new muscles.
Another beneficial step is to keep track of your progress.
The best way to do this is to make a journal.
Use this journal to keep track of everything from your food intake to how many reps at what weight you did.
It will help you see progress and keep you motivated.
One more key step is to stay hydrated.
I cannot stress the importance of drinking enough water and even some sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.
Your muscles need water and hydration to function properly and to stay healthy.
Last but not least, rest.
If you do not rest you could actually get adverse effects from your efforts.
By not resting you are not giving your body enough time to heal itself.
This can cause your results to halt and could very likely cause injury and damage to your muscles.
These are just a few steps to help you get started in the right direction.
Of course, there is a little bit more to gaining muscle.
I know that I said before it's not what it is all about yet here I am mentioning it in the first step.
However, your muscles do need protein.
Your goal should be to get about 1 gram of protein per 1.
5 pound of body weight.
The best way to get more protein is to increase how often you eat.
You should be having a meal every 2½ to 3 hours.
Make sure that these are not just protein meals.
Your body also needs carbs for energy, vegetables and fruit for vitamins and recovery and a little bit of fat.
Be sure to make healthy choices in protein (lean meats), carbs (such as whole grains) and fat (nuts or olive oils).
Not only will eating more frequently help with getting your body nutrients and protein that it needs but it will help you to start trimming away some of the access body fat that covers up some of that muscle definition.
The next step is to start gradually in your workout routine.
Don't just go all out and try to be Mr.
America on your first day.
Start where you feel comfortable.
Really, at first you should concentrate on stabilizing your body.
Work on your core muscles such as your abs and back.
This helps you tone those areas and build stabilization to help ensure that you are well proportioned and are less likely to get hurt.
You can work other parts of your body at the same time but focus on working those mainly in the beginning.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your core tight during every workout (working your core) and for every one workout you do for the front of your body, do 2 for your back.
Third, you want to change up your routine.
Your body becomes used to the same old routine and soon stops getting the best results from it.
Every few weeks change up your routine.
Find new exercises to do that work the muscles in a different way or start focusing on new muscles.
Another beneficial step is to keep track of your progress.
The best way to do this is to make a journal.
Use this journal to keep track of everything from your food intake to how many reps at what weight you did.
It will help you see progress and keep you motivated.
One more key step is to stay hydrated.
I cannot stress the importance of drinking enough water and even some sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.
Your muscles need water and hydration to function properly and to stay healthy.
Last but not least, rest.
If you do not rest you could actually get adverse effects from your efforts.
By not resting you are not giving your body enough time to heal itself.
This can cause your results to halt and could very likely cause injury and damage to your muscles.
These are just a few steps to help you get started in the right direction.
Of course, there is a little bit more to gaining muscle.