Never missing a workout, putting in hours at the gym, hitting personal records every week, and generally crushing your fitness goals sounds like a recipe for major strength and muscle development. However, there’s one ingredient missing from this list: protein.
If you’re not getting enough protein in your diet each and every day, your muscles won’t have the tools to use all that hard work you’re putting in, and you’ll be missing out on serious gains. Here are a few tips to smash your protein goals every day and build that muscle.
Use High-Quality Protein Sources
Getting in most of your daily protein from high-quality sources like lean meats and free-range eggs is important for your overall health. Plus – it’s far tastier. When you’re using high-quality products, you’ll be more inclined to eat them regularly.
Invest in your health by purchasing high-quality, free-range meat and dairy products. You can check out the best place to buy wagyu beef online, shop from local butchers you trust, and if you’re vegan, make sure your protein sources are organic and clean sources of protein.
Take a Supplement
Anyone who has made a real effort to increase their protein intake will know that it can be tricky to manage. Especially for those of us who don’t eat as much throughout the day, cramming a minimum of 20g of protein into every meal and snack can be tough.
A protein supplement, either whey isolate or a clean vegan protein powder, can really help you to reach your goals. This is a light snack that’s easy to consume and you can take it with you on the go if you’re running around all day.
Plan your Meals
There’s no rule that says you can’t take each day as it comes when it comes to your meals and not still hit your goals – you absolutely can! However, failing to plan means you’re leaving it to chance and there’s a bigger risk of missing your targets.
Plan your meals the day before and make sure to include at least 20-30g of protein in every meal and snack throughout the day. By planning ahead, you’ll know exactly how to hit your goal and you won’t be looking for a high-protein snack at the last minute before bed.
Track Your Macros
There’s no way of knowing if you’re really hitting your targets or not if you’re not tracking them. Using a calorie counting app can be time-consuming and tedious, but it’s the best way to get a clear idea of your daily protein intake.
Calculate your daily protein targets (usually around 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight) and track everything you eat in a day to make sure you’re hitting those numbers religiously.
Final Thoughts
With a little thought and planning, you can be 100% certain you’re eating enough protein, putting your workouts to good use, and building muscle to reach your ultimate physique.
