My blog is a bit different from the average fitness site…I prefer the lean and chiseled look over the “Lift Heavy and Get Jacked” philosophy.
But what does that mean?
Simply put: I’m not focused on being in a bodybuilding contest. I’ve pretty much conceded to the fact I’m never going to make a living as a fitness model. Dang! My focus, today, mainly lies in wanting to look good in a nice shirt and sport a nice pair of pants the wife picks out for me. (Trust me, she’s got better taste than I do.)
A few years back, I really worked to tout more lean muscle on my frame. It was just after the birth of my second daughter when I just felt compelled to hit the weights hard, like I’ve done before.
My goal was to put on a few pounds of quality muscle. And there is a difference between putting on muscle and putting on weight. A big difference.
How to Kick Off Your Plans the Right Way
Even in my younger days, I always had a workout schedule. I’d tape it up on my bedroom wall and review it every morning. Each day had a regimented plan of attack. I knew what muscle groups to target, and how much cardio I needed keep lean. And, like clockwork, I’d hit my goals.
Now, I don’t expect everyone being detail-focused as I am. However, you should know what it’s going to take to get a lean and chiseled body.
Check out these posts to start planning a workout strategy for success:
A few things to consider before steering your routines in any particular direction is to know a few things about your starting stats. You might often read about calculating your Body Mass Index. It’s good number to know. Yet, it’s not the only number to have in your back pocket. In fact, I know of a better one.
Body Reinvention With Lean Body Mass Know-How
If you want to unlock your muscle gaining potential, or narrow your focus for fat loss, then stick to the numbers that matter.
How many times have you ever weighed yourself on a scale, and thought “I’m just where I to weigh,” and then weigh yourself on the same scale just a days apart to see a totally different number…one that’s probably gone in the wrong direction?
This is because the body is in a constant flux from one day to the next. I can’t count how many times one of my female co-workers has said she’s magically lost 10+ pounds in one week.
Usually, one of the biggest culprits keeping someone from a lean and chiseled body is water retention. As in the case of my co-worker, her massive weight loss was simply due to a reduction in water weight, and not fat.
Knowing how to get rid of water weight is one extra part to getting a stunning body, but this is only after you’ve allowed yourself to slim down without losing lean muscle.
What you want to know is your Lean Body Mass. This is essentially calculating your body fat percentage, and subtracted from your overall weight. I actually think Marc Perry of Built Lean can explain it better than I can. Check out his video below.
[Here's the link to Marc's article on Lean Body Mass]
On the surface this seems like it’s only a muscle-gaining strategy. But being able to say how much body fat you’re carrying around on a daily basis will help with laser-like precision on a fat loss mission.
A Sample Bodyweight Workout to Get You Started
I often check out Brandon Carter’s site High Life Workout because it’s a great source of inspiration for anyone thinking of exercising from home.
While my goals might not always be inline with everyone else’s goals (I’m being realistic here), I think it’s important to have a bit of a knowledge base that centers on something more than just getting shredded, and pumping iron until your muscles explode.
I believe a “lean and chiseled” physique fits more inline with every-day needs than the aesthetics of what bodybuilding offers. I believe in training for strength, and not training to make the muscles look bigger.
About the Author
Hey! I'm Mitch, and I've setup this blog to prove anyone can get in shape without needing a gym fee. Each article is drawn from my own experiences, expert trainers and bestselling fitness authors. Please feel free to chat me up on Facebook, G+ and Twitter. Also, I do reply to every comment...so drop me a line down below.
