Time of Truth: There are no shortcuts to getting a rock hard body. However, there are some clever ways you can achieve your physical goals without wasting time or — worse — doing things that undermine your efforts. We spoke to two experts to get their top fitness tips, and you can use their insights to train smarter and see results.
Here, Colette Nelson, professional bodybuilder, personal trainer and coach, and registered nutritionist, and Doug Miller, professional bodybuilder and co-author of Biology for Bodybuilders, share their fitness tips for shaping a competitive physique.
14 expert-approved fitness tips to help you freak out
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1. Track your food intake
First, a little surprise: You don't necessarily have to invest more fitness time.
"Exercise is really only 15 percent of the equation," says Nelson. Instead, you spend more time at the grocery store and in the kitchen. "Nutrition is 85 percent."
Miller suggests starting by tracking what you're eating so you can then look at how you can tinker with it. Focus on macros first, then go from there.
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2. Focus on fiber optics
Big chiseling means seriously changing your carbohydrate intake. Nelson recommends focusing on legumes, vegetables, and berries, especially on the days you're not exercising.
"Many studies have found that people on a low-carb/high-fiber diet experience greater satiety, lower insulin levels, and greater weight-loss success," she says.
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3. Don't give up carbohydrates entirely
carbs in your diet means you have no energy ready. Therefore, on hard training days, increase carbohydrates slightly.
"The less powerful carbs found in sweet potatoes can be eaten once or twice a week and post-workout," says Nelson.
However, limit it to a small portion—half a sweet potato or half a cup of quinoa.
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