- eat 4 to 5 small meals spaced 3 to 4 hours apart. (speeds up metabolism and assures a continuous supply of nutrients to the body)
- drink plenty of water
- avoid fatty foods and foods high in simple sugars
- don't skp meals or fast in attempt to lose weight (fasting slows metabolism)
- engage in weight training to increase lean muscle mass
- engage in low intensity aerobic exercise, i.e. stationary biking, 30 minutes per day, 3-4 days per week
- stick to the 65-70% carb, 15-20% protein, and 10-15% fat per meal guideline
- don't lose more than 1 to 2 pounds per week, if you are losing weight at a faster rate your are most likely loosing lean muscle mass and not consuming enough calories or essential nutrients
- prepare your meals ahead of time, schedule eating times into your daily schedule
- to avoid overtraining, budget your time to allow for 8 hours of uninterupted sleep per night.
FAQs
How can I reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass? ›
- eat 4 to 5 small meals spaced 3 to 4 hours apart. ( ...
- drink plenty of water.
- avoid fatty foods and foods high in simple sugars.
- don't skp meals or fast in attempt to lose weight (fasting slows metabolism)
- engage in weight training to increase lean muscle mass.
- Stay in a calorie deficit. ...
- Prioritize protein. ...
- Eat whole foods. ...
- Consider intermittent fasting. ...
- Refuel after a workout. ...
- Avoid ultra-processed foods. ...
- Reduce sugary drinks. ...
- Up your fiber.
- Running. Running is an excellent exercise for full-body weight loss. ...
- High-intensity interval training. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is also a popular option for helping with weight loss. ...
- Step-climbing. ...
- Squats. ...
- Lunges. ...
- One-leg deadlift. ...
- Side-lying hip abduction. ...
- Lateral band walk.
“When we look at diet alone versus diet plus resistance exercise, studies consistently show that the most significant reductions in fat mass happen when you combine diet and strength training,” says Dr. Alexis. Plus, if you add lean muscle mass while reducing fat mass, you'll look toned even faster.
What is the fastest way to lose body fat? ›- Trying intermittent fasting. ...
- Tracking your diet and exercise. ...
- Eating mindfully. ...
- Eating protein with meals. ...
- Cutting back on sugar and refined carbohydrates. ...
- Eating plenty of fiber. ...
- Balancing gut bacteria. ...
- Getting a good night's sleep.
- Create a negative energy balance to promote overall weight loss. By eating fewer calories than your body needs (also known as a negative energy balance), you will lose weight. ...
- Eat a balanced diet. ...
- Stay hydrated by choosing the right beverages.
Resistance training for muscle gain
Train just two or three times per week to give your muscles time to recover. If you're tempted to train more often, remember that muscle growth occurs during recovery. Choose compound exercises that work multiple major muscle groups, for example, the squat and bench press.
Takeaway. If you can sustain a lifting program and maintain a calorie deficit, your body will be able to pull from its fat stores to both fuel itself and potentially build muscle mass. Prioritizing foods rich in protein is a key component to both losing body fat and building muscle at the same time.
How do I go from skinny fat to lean muscle? ›The best way to stop being skinny fat involves a combination of strength training, proper nutrition, and cardio exercise. Skinny fat refers to having a normal weight or even a slim appearance but with a higher body fat percentage and lower muscle mass.
Is there a way to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time? ›We already know that it's best to prioritize strength workouts to be able to gain muscle and lose fat. The most effective way to do both is to anchor those workouts with big, multi-joint movements, such as squats, deadlifts, and presses. "Compound lift movements incorporate ton of muscles.
How do you reduce fat gain in lean bulk? ›
The sweet spot for a lean bulk is to gain no more than 0.5-1 pound of body weight each week. For most people this will be split 50/50 between muscle and fat gain. So, basically you will gain 1 pound of fat for each pound of muscle – which is a good ratio.