Lean Body mass diet plan

Want a back that’s beautiful? Abs to be envied? Shoulders that are sculpted? Then you need to lose fat and tone muscle to increase lean body mass. Lean body mass is the sum of the non-fat parts of the body, like your muscles and organs. Here are steps you can take to increase lean body mass, lose weight, and tone muscle:

1. Don’t drastically cut back on calories. Many believe they need to slash calories to lose weight—but if you want to build a sculpted body, those muscles need fuel. Don’t eliminate more than 300-500 calories per day, and don’t drop below 1, 200 calories per day without medical supervision. Learn more with .

4. Work those weights. You can use weights to create lean muscle without adding extra bulk you might not want. In fact, some research suggests that a combination of heavier weights with fewer repetitions is more effective at toning than the use of lighter weights with higher reps [1]. If you haven’t tried using weights to shed pounds and tone muscle, get need-to-know info with .

5. Don’t skimp on cardio. Short, high-intensity cardio workouts are the perfect partner for muscle-toning exercises because they help burn the layers of fat that cover muscle. Tabata-style (4 Minute) training is a great way to add cardio to your routine—especially if you’re short on time. Try this or our appropriately-named .

6. Get your D. D’s in school—not so good. D’s in your diet—marvelous for muscles! Vitamin D is important for increasing lean body mass because muscle tissues use it to synthesize proteins. Your body produces it naturally when it’s exposed to sunlight. But not too much sun! It only takes about 10-15 minutes a couple of times a week. If you have skin cancer concerns, talk with your doctor before exposing unprotected skin to the sun. Vitamin D is also found in dairy products, like cheese and milk, as well as in supplements.

7. Commit to consistency. It’s hard to build muscle in fits and starts. Plan to workout with strength training exercises at least 2 times a week. Put workout times in your calendar and then stick to that commitment—you’re worth the investment!