At Champions Sports Performance, one way we like to hold our members accountable is via the in-body.
The in-body shares a lot of valuable instant feedback. It tells us what is working week to week and month to month and what is not working. It reminds us how eating, sleeping, and stress management can significantly impact our bodies composition.
Below is an in-body result from a newer member. He joined in January and recently reviewed his composition again in April.
Below is from 1/6/2024 and to the right the scan is from 4/8/2024. He lost a little over 3.6% body fat and gained 10.46% fat free mass.
He had not lifting weights in over 20 years so he significantly improved his muscle mass and this recent scan would suggest that he also improved his bone density! Also, muscle carries more water than fat so his water weight also added to his total body weight,
To lose fat while gaining muscle is a delicate balance. It is easy to lose both muscle and fat by heavily restricting calories while it is also easy to gain both by consuming a surplus of calories with resistance training. Most people, want to be "tone", which is the art of lowering your body fat and maintaining or gaining muscle mass.
Understanding the Science
1. Macronutrient Intake
Here are some general guidelines to consider:
Protein: Aim for 0.8-1 gram of protein per pound of body weight to support muscle maintenance and growth.
Carbohydrates: Adjust carbohydrate intake based on activity level and energy needs, prioritizing complex carbohydrates over simple sugars.
Fats: Include a variety of healthy fats in your diet, making up roughly 20-35% of your total caloric intake.
Examples of Healthy Food Choices: To help you meet your macronutrient goals, here are some nutrient-dense food choices rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats:
Protein: Grilled chicken breast, Greek yogurt, eggs, lentils, and cottage cheese.
Carbohydrates: Quinoa, sweet potatoes, oats, brown rice, and berries.
Fats: Avocado, almonds, olive oil, chia seeds, and fatty fish.
2. Resistance Training
Benefits for Fat Loss: Contrary to popular belief, resistance training isn't just about building muscle; it's also highly effective for fat loss. Here's how:
Increased Metabolic Rate: Resistance training boosts your metabolism, causing your body to burn more calories both during and after exercise.
Muscle Preservation: While dieting for fat loss, resistance training helps preserve lean muscle mass, preventing muscle loss that can occur with calorie restriction.
Enhanced Fat Oxidation: Regular resistance training improves your body's ability to oxidize fat for fuel, promoting fat loss while preserving muscle mass.
Benefits for Muscle Gain: Of course, one of the primary goals of resistance training is to build muscle mass. Here's why it's so effective:
Muscle Hypertrophy: Resistance training stimulates muscle hypertrophy, or growth, by inducing muscle fiber damage and subsequent repair and growth.
Increased Strength: As your muscles adapt to resistance training, you'll experience gains in strength, allowing you to lift heavier weights and further stimulate muscle growth.
Hormonal Response: Resistance training triggers the release of anabolic hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone, which are essential for muscle growth and repair.
Sample Resistance Training Workout: Here's a sample full-body resistance training workout to get you started:
Squats: 4 sets of 6-8 reps
Deadlifts: 4 sets of 6-8 reps
Bench Press: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Bent-over Rows: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Lunges: 3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg
Plank: 3 sets, hold for 30-60 seconds
3. Sleep
he Impact of Sleep on Muscle Gain:
Muscle Repair and Growth: During sleep, the body undergoes crucial repair processes, including the repair and growth of muscle tissue. Growth hormone, which is essential for muscle growth, is primarily released during deep sleep stages.
Recovery: Adequate sleep allows your muscles to recover from the stress of exercise, reducing inflammation and preventing overtraining. Without sufficient rest, you may experience decreased performance and slower muscle growth.
Protein Synthesis: Sleep enhances protein synthesis, the process by which your body builds new muscle tissue in response to resistance training. This ensures that your muscles have the necessary building blocks to repair and grow stronger.
The Role of Sleep in Fat Loss:
Hormonal Balance: Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating hormones that influence appetite and metabolism. Lack of sleep can disrupt hormones like leptin and ghrelin, leading to increased hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods.
Energy Balance: Quality sleep supports energy balance by regulating appetite hormones and reducing the likelihood of overeating. Additionally, sufficient rest helps maintain energy levels throughout the day, making it easier to adhere to a calorie-controlled diet.
Metabolic Function: Sleep deprivation can impair insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of weight gain and metabolic disorders. Conversely, adequate sleep promotes optimal metabolic function, facilitating fat loss.
Strategies for Improving Sleep Quality:
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends, to regulate your body's internal clock.
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Establish calming rituals before bed, such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath, to signal to your body that it's time to wind down.
Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Make your bedroom conducive to sleep by keeping it dark, quiet, and cool. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows to promote restful sleep.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Reduce exposure to screens (phones, computers, TVs) in the hour leading up to bedtime, as blue light can disrupt melatonin production and interfere with sleep quality.
Watch Your Caffeine Intake: Avoid consuming caffeine in the afternoon and evening, as it can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
4. Stress Management:
Impact of Stress on Fat Loss:
Increased Appetite and Cravings: Stress can trigger cravings for high-calorie, comfort foods, leading to overeating and weight gain. Additionally, cortisol promotes fat storage, particularly around the abdominal area.
Impaired Metabolism: Chronic stress can disrupt metabolic function, leading to insulin resistance and impaired glucose regulation. This can hinder fat loss efforts and contribute to weight gain.
Emotional Eating: Stressful situations can prompt emotional eating behaviors, where individuals turn to food as a coping mechanism to deal with stress and negative emotions.
Impact of Stress on Muscle Gain:
Muscle Breakdown: Elevated cortisol levels can increase muscle breakdown, especially when combined with intense exercise. This can impede muscle growth and recovery, making it challenging to build lean muscle mass.
Decreased Testosterone Levels: Chronic stress has been linked to decreased testosterone levels, which are essential for muscle growth and repair. Low testosterone levels can result in decreased strength, muscle mass, and exercise performance.
Impaired Recovery: Stress interferes with the body's ability to recover from exercise-induced muscle damage, prolonging the recovery process and reducing the effectiveness of training.
Strategies for Stress Management:
Exercise Regularly: Engage in regular physical activity, such as resistance training, cardio, yoga, or meditation, to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness techniques and meditation into your daily routine to cultivate a sense of calm and improve stress resilience.
Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you're getting enough restorative sleep each night to support recovery and reduce stress levels.
Establish Boundaries: Learn to say no to excessive commitments and prioritize