High Protein Diet - The Secret of Bodybuilders For Ripped Abs
Since the 1950's bodybuilders have been using high protein diets in their quest for leanness and greater muscle definition. Steve Reeves followed a high protein/low carb diet before his Mr. America win. In the 1960's Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva would change his diet from high protein/high carb in the off season to a high protein/low carb precontest, to dial in his definition in his three Mr. Olympia victories. Arnold Schwarzenegger was famous for his very high protein/low carb precontest diet in his seven Mr. Olympia victories.
Frank Zane brought to the sport of bodybuilding an anatomy chart level of definition and achieved it using a zero carb/high protein diet. Athletes, actors and actresses have been using increased protein/low carb diets for weight control and weight loss for the last fifty years. The question is why this methodology has been effective for so many, for so long. A hi protein/low carb diet allows a person to minimize hunger while reducing calories. This is the premise behind the famous Atkins diet. These type diets allow the dieter to eat plenty of satisfying food while still losing weight. Take a look at the eating plan I recently used to lose 35 lbs in two months.
Meal 1, 6 eggs with cheese. Meal 2, 1 chicken breast and a large salad. Meal 3, 8 oz hamburger in a spinach wrap. Meal 4, 10 oz broiled fish and steamed veggies. Meal 5, Muscle Milk protein supplement. Meal 6, 12 oz broiled tilapia and steamed veggies. By anybody's rating I ate plenty of food yet I was not hungry and I lost a good deal of weight. A recent study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that people lost weight and did not feel excessive hunger on an elevated protein diet. The proponents of this study determined that that a high protein diet created a greater degree of appetite satiation than did either a high carb or high fat diet. Lose weight without feeling hungry, is this the Holy Grail of weight loss? Another benefit of a high protein diet is that even in its low carb version, the body is supplied with everything it needs to rebuild and repair muscle tissue. In many cases the increased protein/ low carb dieter can actually gain muscle mass while losing bodyfat.
What does this mean for people trying to improve their bodies? This means with a little discipline and organization an individual can lose weight without starving and without getting weak and feeble. We all know as a nation, we collectively need to lose weight. I call on our leaders to do their part and direct the masses in embracing more protein/lower carb lifestyle eating.
Fort Lauderdale Personal Trainer. Joe Kozma is a former national bodybuilding champion and college football player. Joe's fitness and weight loss service provides extreme body makeovers, strength gain, and more. See his clients at his Fort Lauderdale Fitness website.
