Health

Bodybuilding for Beginners: 10 Tips to Get You Started

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2021

sylvia J

Are you trying to grow your muscles, but you’re not sure where to start? Whether you want to be a professional bodybuilder or you’re just looking to improve your physique, it’s intimidating to get started.

You see all of those people with shapely muscles lifting the heaviest weights in the gym and get discouraged, right? We’ve been there.

Lucky for you, we have a list of tips for bodybuilding for beginners. From good bodybuilding exercises and workout structures to overall bodybuilding basics, these tips will get you started off on the right track.

Get ready to take notes and head to the gym. Read on for more.

1. Determine Your Overall Goals

Before you start your bodybuilding journey, it’s a good idea to get an idea of what your goals are. Are you trying to build lean muscle for a well-balanced and strong body? Do you want to lose fat, or are you happy with just gaining strength?

Do you have any specific body goals or fitness inspirations that you want to match up to?

Keep in mind that all bodies are different. If you have a specific athlete, bodybuilder, or fitness guru that you want to emulate, you may not get the same body even if you follow their routines to a T.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t try. Your body goals may change over time as you discover what looks best on you. You may find that you prefer your body with less or more bulk. You may like yourself shredded and lean, or you may like some extra body fat.

When you know your goals, write them down somewhere that you can see them all the time. As you start approaching them, check them off and develop new ones.

2. Shed Your Gym Anxiety

Gym anxiety is one of the biggest hurdles for beginners. When everyone else looks stronger than you, how are you supposed to feel confident going to the gym?

Try to put it out of your mind. Everyone starts somewhere, and these bodybuilders were once at the same level that you’re at now.

It’s helpful to keep in mind that other people aren’t nearly as interested in what you’re doing as you think they are. At the gym, most people are focused on their workouts so they can get them done in time and perform to their best ability.

If someone does take notice of you, it may be because of your form, because they want to try an exercise that you’re doing, or because you simply caught their eye when you passed into their line of vision.

People are more likely to be impressed with a newcomer aiming to better themself than they are to be critical. If you notice people laughing near you, rest easy knowing that they’re friends talking and joking, not mocking you.

If you’re still anxious, try going to a gym with extended or overnight hours. Go at a time of day where there are fewer people so you can get your bearings before you’re ready to be “public.”

3. Take Initial (and Progress) Photos

Progress photos are so motivating! Take a photo at the beginning of your journey and every week or two afterward.

The first photo can be hard if you’re dissatisfied with your physique. Again, remember that this is a starting point, and later on you can reference this photo to see how far you’ve come.

While it might not seem helpful to take photos often, it’s the best way to notice small changes that you wouldn’t otherwise see in the mirror.

Take photos at the same time every day (preferably in the morning before meals) so you don’t have any discrepancies.

4. Start Slow

Going gung-ho into your new workout routine without careful planning and attention to your actual capabilities is a recipe for disaster and injuries. Try not to overdo it.

Some people get too ambitious with their weights from the beginning. They might be ashamed of lifting lower weights and they let their pride get in the way of their progress. If you can only lift 10 lbs per hand, that’s a valid starting point.

When you start slow and make gradual progress, you’ll find that you’ll improve faster and your routine will be more sustainable.

5. Create a Sustainable Workout Routine

Speaking of sustainability, creating the right workout routine that allows sustainable progress is crucial if you don’t want to burn out early on.

The first aspect of this is your time commitment. While bodybuilding requires a lot of discipline and a large time commitment, you need to fit it into your schedule in a way that won’t overwhelm you.

As we mentioned before, finding a gym that has extended hours is helpful. This allows you to fit your workouts into whatever time that you have to spare after you’re done with your responsibilities.

Keep in mind that it’s okay not to exercise every day. If a sustainable routine is three times per week, that’s valid and you’ll still make progress.

Sustainability also includes making progress the right way. Most people suggest using the progressive overload technique to build muscle.

Progressive overload is when you gradually increase your repetitions or weight over time in small increments. This allows you to make progress faster with a lower risk of reaching a plateau in your training.

6. Find the Right Exercises for You

Different goals require different exercises, but you want to have a well-balanced routine.

Many people make the mistake of ignoring certain body parts when they’re trying to build their physiques. That’s where the joke of “skipping leg day” comes from.

Overall, doing this isn’t helpful. When you work to strengthen the entire body, you’ll find that your progress is easier in the muscles that you want to focus on. For example, some lower body exercises are also great for your core. You need a strong core to protect your back when you’re doing some heavy upper-body exercises.

This also means that you shouldn’t neglect cardio (another common problem with people who are too devoted to building muscle).

It’s a good idea to create a workout split. This means that you’re focusing on different areas of your body on different days. When you do this, you can still go to the gym while your muscles are recovering.

Common Bodybuilding Exercises

So what kinds of exercises should you do to get started?

As you start to develop your own routines and put research into your goals, you’ll discover new exercises that target the specific areas in which you’re lacking.

To get started though, there are a few exercises that play a strong role in every bodybuilder’s gym routine.

For your lower body, you want to include deadlifts, lunges, and squats, among other things. While deadlifts and squats are often done in their standard varieties for the greatest effect, there are plenty of variations of lunges that can target different areas of your legs and glutes.

For your upper body, the exercises have more variety. When you’re working on your chest, you want to include a classic chest press, chest flies, and reverse flies as your “always go-to exercises.”

Other good upper body exercises include dumbbell pullovers, bicep curls, overhead presses, and even tricep tips. You want to make sure that you cover all sides of your arms.

As far as your core goes, you eventually want to move beyond classic planks and sit-ups. Instead, opt for weighted core exercises once you’ve developed some core strength.

7. Don’t Neglect Rest Days

We get it. You want to see progress as fast as possible, right? So you’re at the gym every day overworking your muscles and burning the candle at both ends.

This is a great way to get burned out or even injured. Even when it feels unnatural, you need to incorporate rest days into your routine. One of the best muscle-building tips that we can offer is to make sure that you rest.

Rest days can help you build and maintain muscle. When you do heavy workouts, your muscle fibers develop small tears. This is how they grow. Rest days allow those tears to repair so you’re ready to workout again.

Your rest days can be active rest days if you prefer that. This means that you aren’t sitting around motionless (though this is also a valid option), but you’re doing something easy enough that it gets your blood flowing without putting excess strain on your muscles.

This is a good day for low-intensity cardio, like a walk or a bike ride around your neighborhood. If you need to work on your flexibility, consider doing yoga or pilates instead.

Taking care of your body is essential when you’re trying to grow muscle.

8. Get Your Diet In Check

Exercise is only half of the battle when it comes to building your body into your ideal physique. You also need to make sure that your diet is working for you, not against you. After all, it’s a common saying that abs are built in the kitchen.

So what does this mean for you?

Many people who are starting their bodybuilding journey are trying to lose fat first. If you’re trying to build muscle, though, you want to make sure that you’re consuming enough calories that you aren’t wasting away.

This is another area in which it’s important to know your goals. If you’re dedicated to cutting fat, consider doing that first or accepting that you won’t have an easy time cutting it completely while you’re building muscle.

Use an online macro calculator to get a rough idea of what your diet should include based on your age, weight, height, and overall goals. You want to make sure that you have a healthy and well-balanced diet that’s rich in protein. Most people also perform better when they consume sufficient carbohydrates.

Keep in mind that carbs are your friends. While low-carb diets are valid, carbs are what can give you a lot of energy for your workouts.

9. Consider Supplements

There’s nothing wrong with using supplements when you’re trying to build your body. There are plenty of different kinds of supplements, so there’s sure to be something for your needs.

The most common supplement that people use is extra protein. Protein supplements come in all different forms, like cookies, chips, and even breakfast foods like pancakes.

That said, the most common and affordable protein supplements are bars and powders. They’re easy to bring with you on the go and they’re quick and easy energy.

BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) are also popular. They’re supposed to decrease your fatigue, boost muscle growth, and improve your performance while you’re exercising. The powders often come in caffeinated and flavored varieties

Finally, some people have been turning to SARMS for their performance. SARMS are performance-enhancers that may help you build muscle and lose fat. This makes them a tempting choice for beginner bodybuilders. You could also consider steroids for sale in your supplements as these can also help in making your bodybuilding journey successful. There are several places that you can find SARMS for sale to suit your needs.

10. Don’t Give Up

It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re trying to start your bodybuilding journey. While you’re building your physique, make sure that you’re noting your progress with your pictures and updating your goals as you go.

Consistency with your diet and exercise program is key. If you don’t give up, you’ll notice visible changes in no time.

Consider joining online forums or finding an accountability partner at the gym to keep you on track. This is often enough to keep you motivated so you can reach your goals.

Bodybuilding for Beginners: Are You Up to the Challenge?

Armed with these bodybuilding basics, are you ready to hit the gym? Bodybuilding for beginners isn’t easy, but it’s a fun and rewarding process that leads to incredible results, regardless of your goals.

You’re well on your way to improved fitness, stronger muscles, and a physique that you’ll be proud of. Don’t quit now!

For more helpful health and fitness articles (among other things), visit the rest of our site!

Health

What Does a Breast Reduction Procedure Entail?

Published

13 hours ago

March 29, 2023

sylvia J

What Does a Breast Reduction Procedure Entail?

The physical and mental health of a woman might be negatively impacted by having noticeably big breasts. Some people get persistent headaches and neck/shoulder discomfort as a result of them. Some women with enormous breasts have back discomfort, while others avoid sports and other forms of physical activity because they are unpleasant. Some women may have mental health issues including sadness, anxiety, or poor self-esteem as a result of this problem.

Reduction mammoplasty, surgical treatment to lessen the size of one’s breasts. As a result of the surgery, discomfort and other problems related to large breasts are reduced. Over 101 thousand breast reduction surgeries were carried out in the USA in 2018. Generally speaking, women have positive outcomes, including enhanced ease, a more positive body image, and enhanced quality of life.

When should you consider it?

The surgical treatment to decrease breast size and weight is known by many different names. Surgeons perform reduction surgery to reduce the size of the breasts by removing a portion of the breast tissue, some of the fat, and some of the skin. In addition to this, the surgeon will contour the breast and move the nipple and areola (the black region surrounding the nipple), which the medical community refers to as the nipple-areola complex (NAC), in order to better place it on the breast that has been reduced in size.

Under what circumstances may you need breast reconstruction?

Females with symptomatic breasts (macromastia or gigantomastia) are good candidates for breast reduction surgery. Evidence of persistent neck, lumbar, and/or shoulder discomfort, bra notching, skin rashes beneath the breasts, or any of a variety of additional issues attributable to the size or weight of the breasts is required for symptomatology.

For the most part, women with too big breasts have reduction surgery (https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/breast-r (healthline.com)) to alleviate the following symptoms:

Problems with your neck, shoulders, breasts, and/or back
Continual head pain
Incorrect stance
Hand and/or arm numbness and/or tingling due to nerve issues.
Skin infections and/or rashes in the bra area
Disruption of regular routines and physical activity
Low self-esteem and/or anxiety
Breathing problems while laying down
Notches and divots in the flesh created by bra straps.
Problems obtaining well-fitting garments.

Several insurance companies may pay for breast reduction surgery if the patient can prove she suffers from the aforementioned conditions. The patient’s insurance company may mandate that they attempt non-invasive treatments like physical therapy, diet, and exercise before they cover any invasive procedures. Click here for more on physical therapy.

If a woman does not have a medical reason to undergo breast reduction surgery or if her insurance company refuses to pay for it, she still has the option of having the procedure done at her own expense.

What should a woman expect before undergoing breast reduction?

It is crucial to get with a surgeon and talk about your expectations and concerns about the treatment before going through breast reduction. Patients should discuss their ideal cup size with their surgeon before undergoing breast augmentation. Women who want children in the future and are considering breast reduction surgery should talk to their surgeon about the potential risks and benefits.

If a woman has a history of breast cancer in her family, a lump in her breast, or other risk factors, she may need to have a mammography to check for cancer before undergoing reduction surgery. Blood thinners may need to be stopped before surgery. Women who smoke should give up the habit no less than 8 weeks before their breast reduction surgery, and ideally much longer.

After you get breast reduction surgery, what can you expect?

A woman undergoing breast reduction surgery will be put to sleep under general anesthetic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/) so that she does not wake up feeling any discomfort.

Breast reduction may be accomplished via a number of different surgical methods. The surgeon chooses the method that’s best for the patient. The standard method involves an incision from the top of the areola down the front of the breast to the underside. The surgeon will next remove any extra breast skin, fat, or tissue and may even remove a small portion of the areola if necessary. The next step is to readjust the location of the nipple and areola. The breast is then reshaped and the wounds are closed with stitches.

Excess fat around the breasts may be reduced by liposuction, which can also be utilized to alter their contours. Although there are variations in the procedure, liposuction always involves the insertion of a thin tube into a tiny incision. Subcutaneous fat is removed using a specialized vacuum apparatus. Extreme instances of breast reduction may be accomplished with liposuction alone.

If you are thinking about having your breasts reduced, what are the potential risks?

There is always the chance that anything might go wrong during breast reduction surgery. There is always a chance of infection at the surgical site, clot formation, and excessive bleeding after surgery, all of which are potential risks associated with any surgical treatment.

Besides these general risks, breast-reduction surgery might provide its own unique dangers by way of:

The size and form of a woman’s breasts may vary.
The scars can be seen.
Impaired or absent capacity to breastfeed.
Under-the-skin fluid collection is medically referred to as a seroma.
Nipple sensitivity decreases or complete loss; might be transient or permanent.
a reduction in the amount of blood that flows to the nipple and the areola (the dark region that surrounds the nipple), which may result in the loss of tissue.
Skin Infection (cellulitis)
Tissue swelling caused by blood pooling owing to vascular rupture.
Tingling or aching in the fingers.

How long does it take for the breasts to heal after having them reduced?

After breast reduction surgery, most women may go home the same day. On the other hand, hospitalization for the night is a need for certain patients.

Health

Enhancing Your Health and Quality of Life

Published

1 week ago

March 20, 2023

sylvia J

Enhancing Your Health and Quality of Life

Most people find it obvious that health can impact their quality of life. As a result, they underestimate the complexity of the relationship between the two concepts and how much control they have over both. Minor changes can make a surprising difference when it comes to enhancing the quality of life, health, and wellness.

What Is Quality of Life?

Everyone has a general idea of what it is to be healthy. However, quality of life is a much more nebulous concept. Most people think of it as a subjective measure of happiness, but there’s more that goes into maintaining a high quality of life than just finding things to be happy about. Enhancing quality of life requires a commitment to making positive changes like those found in this wellness and lifestyle blog.

How Health Impacts Quality of Life

There are many measures of quality of life. Some apply broadly to entire populations and assume a state of overall good health. Others seek to better understand the impact of specific diseases and chronic health conditions on the overall quality of life. What’s clear from the data in aggregate is that objective health measures have a direct impact on subjective well-being.

This is good news for people who do not suffer from any specific chronic conditions but may have room for improvement in terms of lifestyle-related health metrics. Simple lifestyle changes such as switching to a diet that contains less sugar and fewer processed foods, improving sleep hygiene, or committing to a new exercise routine can have an outsized impact on general health and quality of life, alike.

How Quality of Life Impacts Health

The relationship between quality of life and health doesn’t just go one way. People that report a low quality of life tend to suffer from higher levels of stress, which increases their risk of developing other serious health conditions. Thankfully, just as simple lifestyle changes can have an outsized impact on overall health in many people, there are easy interventions that have been shown to improve people’s quality of life.

Simple Tips for Enhancing Both Health and Well-Being

There’s no way for the average person to eliminate stress from their life entirely. However, people can take steps to change their outlook on life in ways that promote well-being, enhance the quality of life, and thus improve overall health. Try these simple tips to get started.

Incorporate exercise into daily life instead of viewing it as a chore.

Keep an active mind by learning new skills or information.

Prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

Stay organized to create healthier mental habits.

Practice gratitude instead of focusing on unfulfilled desires.

Find effective ways to cope with stress.

Put active effort into maintaining healthy friendships.

People who stay active in body and mind, view challenges as opportunities for growth, and commit themselves to the practice of basic self-care and maintaining healthy relationships almost always report a higher quality of life regardless of objective health measures. Implementing the tips above will help with both health and happiness.

Never Stop Growing

Personal development isn’t a goal to be attained but a daily practice. Remember that no one is perfect and progress isn’t linear. The key to enhancing health and quality of life is to stay committed to attaining this long-term goal even in difficult times. Try to stay on track by seeking inspiration and finding ways to incorporate positive habits into everyday life.

Health

Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Published

2 weeks ago

March 15, 2023

sylvia J

Do you find yourself feeling exhausted and weak?

Are you not able to think or focus as sharply as before?

Are you having problems with your sex drive?

If so, then it is possible that you may be suffering from Low Testosterone (Low-T).

Testosterone is an important hormone for men, produced in the testicles. It is responsible for many of the physical and mental characteristics of men. Low testosterone can cause a number of symptoms such as fatigue, depression, decreased libido and difficulty concentrating or focusing.

In this blog post, we will cover everything there is to know about Low Testosterone. We will look at its main causes, symptoms and treatment options.

What Is Testosterone?

Before understanding Low Testosterone it is important to understand testosterone itself. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps with various processes in the body including muscle growth, facial hair development and sexual function. It plays a major role in sperm production and erection capability. Without sufficient amounts of testosterone in the body it can lead to various health issues both physically and mentally.

Causes of Low Testosterone

It is normal for testosterone levels to decrease over time as men get older however there are certain factors that can contribute to Low-T such as:

Hormone imbalances due to medical conditions like diabetes or obesity
Infections such as HIV or mumps
Anabolic steroid abuse
Chronic liver or kidney diseases
Certain medications including steroids and opiates

These factors can affect the hormones naturally produced by your body which can result in low testosterone levels over time leading to the symptoms mentioned earlier.

The Best Testosterone Boosting Supplement in 2023: TestoPrime Review

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

The most common symptoms associated with low testosterone are reduced energy levels, fatigue and decreased libido. Some men may also experience mood changes such as depression or irritability.

Other physical changes associated with low T include reduced muscle mass, increased body fat and an overall decrease in strength and vitality. Some less common symptoms include night sweats, breast enlargement (gynecomastia) and hot flashes.

In some cases, male infertility may be linked to a lack of testosterone production.

There are several warning signs that may indicate low levels of testosterone:

Fatigue – feeling tired all the time even after sleeping 8 hours per night
Depression – persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness Despair Loss of energy / motivation Apathy Inability to regulate moods Reduced libido (sex drive) Difficulty gaining muscle mass Decreased beard growth Anxiety/irritability Bone loss Weight gain Hot flashes Sleep disturbances Erectile dysfunction Hair thinning/loss

If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms then it may be time to get tested for Low-T. While some men experience only one symptom others experience multiple although unfortunately most men often confuse these signs with simply getting older and don’t seek medical help until their condition has become more severe.

How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?

The first step for diagnosing this condition is a simple blood test that measures your total amount of circulating hormones (known as Total T). This will determine if your level falls below what’s considered “normal” on average for an adult man between 19-50 years old (which usually means below 300 ng/dL).

Diagnosis of low testosterone involves testing for the hormone through either blood tests or saliva samples to determine whether the patient’s levels fall within the normal range. Blood tests will measure the total amount of testosterone produced by the body whereas saliva tests measure the bio-available amount that can be used by cells throughout the body.

It is important to note that certain medical conditions can affect test results so it is best to consult with a healthcare professional before testing for low T.

Your doctor may also order additional tests such as free T4 & TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) depending on other factors like thyroid function or previous examinations results. They will use this information along with physical examinations and patient history to diagnose Low Testosterone more accurately.

Treatment Options for Low T Levels

Treatment options for low testosterone vary depending on severity and underlying cause but generally involve either medications or lifestyle modifications such as dieting and exercise in order to boost natural production of the hormone.

Medication therapy involves taking supplements such as HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Lifestyle modifications include dietary changes (increasing protein intake) and increased physical activity which can help increase testosterone production naturally over time.

It may take several weeks for these interventions to have an effect on T levels so regular monitoring is necessary when using TRT or supplement therapies in order to avoid side effects such as acne or gynecomastia due to high doses of hormones being taken over extended periods of time.

Additionally, psychological therapy can be used in some cases where anxiety or depression are thought to be contributing factors in low T levels.

Once diagnosed with low testosterone, it’s important that you seek treatment right away because untreated hypogonadism can lead to significant health issues over time including osteoporosis, heart disease and infertility in extreme cases! Luckily there are several ways in which you can treat this condition:

Diet & Exercise Plan

By eating healthier foods high in healthy fats like Avocados, Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and nuts coupled with regular exercise routine consisting mainly weight training + aerobic workouts 3x week minimum will not only help increase muscle mass but also boost overall energy levels reducing fatigue making daily tasks easier!

Alongside this making sure enough sleep hours are had nightly (7-8 hrs) should also positively improve mood swings associated w/hypogonadism given proper rest gives our brains enough recovery time from stressful events thus preventing anxiety peaks overall helping reduce depression further if present!

Hormone Replacement Therapy

This involves using artificial hormones called Anastrozole or Exemestane which work by blocking estrogen production while stimulating natural production of testosterone within your own body thus increasing total hormone levels again over time gradually reducing any symptoms caused by decreased amounts before any real damage was done!

Depending on severity different doses might be prescribed but generally taking 1 pill daily should suffice eventually returning your levels back near normal ranges after roughly 6 months usage when monitored closely through regular doctor checkups during treatment alongside dieting/exercising regularly too!

Taking Testosterone Boosting Supplements

The most common, effective, safer and affordable option to boost testosterone levels is taking testosterone boosting supplements. The best testosterone booster supplement contains natural ingredients including minerals, vitamins and herbs that are clinically tested for testosterone boosting results.

These testosterone boosters are 100% safe and don’t include any artificial hormone, steroid or banned stimulant for short-time results.

Concluding Now

Low testosterone, or ‘low T’, is a condition that affects men of all ages and can lead to a variety of health problems. Testosterone is responsible for the formation of masculine characteristics such as muscle mass and facial hair and is also important in fertility.

When testosterone levels are low, men may experience symptoms like fatigue, decreased sex drive, depression, irritability and others. There are also various forms of diagnosis and treatment available for low T.

In conclusion, Low Testosterone is a condition that affects many men across various age ranges with varying degrees of severity dependent upon individual circumstances. There are both physiological symptoms as well as psychological effects associated with this condition which can lead to reduced quality of life if left untreated for extended periods of time.

Diagnosis usually involves blood testing but should always be done with direct consultation from a healthcare professional for accuracy purposes prior to any form(s) of treatment being considered viable options for addressing the issue at hand long-term via medication therapies or lifestyle modifications depending on each individual case scenario best suited based upon results from said diagnostic process(es).