Weight Loss Diet for Women Bodybuilders

Weight Loss Diet for Women Bodybuilders
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Bodybuilding takes focus, discipline and a healthy diet to build muscle mass and keep body fat percentage low. In order to lose weight, you have to burn more calories than you consume. Women bodybuilder's diets are designed to lose excess fat and encourage muscle growth. Sticking with a workout routine, and eating healthy foods containing plenty of protein and carbohydrates, and staying clear of high fat unhealthy foods, will aid in the weight loss process.

Protein

Athletes, such as bodybuilders, need to consume an adequate amount of protein to allow their muscles to repair themselves after a workout. Both animal and plant sources carry a good amount of protein. Bodybuilders need to consume between 1.0 and 1.5 g per kg of body weight per day. If the right amount of protein is not consumed by women bodybuilders, it could ultimately lead to loss of strength and muscle. Eat high quality proteins, such as lean meats; chicken and fish, milk, eggs, beans and legumes.

Carbohydrates

Bodybuilders need to have plenty of energy. Weightlifting, a high intensity exercise, relies on carbohydrates for energy. According the the Mayo Clinic, " Carbohydrates often get a bad rap, especially when it comes to weight gain." For weight loss to occur, eat healthy carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. These foods are also rich in fiber, enabling you to stay full longer, and help you to resist the urge to snack.

Metabolism

Consume five to six small healthy meals throughout the day. This allows you to continuously burn calories, increasing your metabolism, through the process of digestion. This also helps to keep your blood sugar level, and keeps you satisfied so you are not reaching for unhealthy snacks, such as chips, cookies or candy that only pack on the calories.

Drinks

Drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated for your intense workouts. Many drinks carry a lot of sugar and can pack on excess calories. Consuming these carbohydrate-intense soft drinks does not help with the weight loss process. For example, a 12 oz. can of soda can contain 140 to 165 calories. If, for example, you drank two sodas a day, that would average to approximately 2,310 extra calories a week.

References

Article reviewed by Veronique Von Tufts Last updated on: Jul 7, 2011

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