High Protein Weight Loss Program
Promotes Both Fitness and Weight Loss

The high protein diet is the rave these days and the reason is simple, it gets results. One of the attractions of the diet is that whether your goals are fitness or weight loss the high protein diet can provide extraordinary benefits. For example if your goals is to increase muscle, gain weight and get big, lose weight and lose fat, get and/or stay lean, this type of diet is right for you. It also allows you to lose weight without having to starve yourself.

There are many reasons why the high protein weight loss is effective for so many different people with so many different goals and bodies. However, depending on exactly what your goal is (weight loss, weight gain, gaining muscle, etc.) adjustments need to made to the diet. First, lets look at why this type of diet is so effective.

Why the High Protein Diet is so Effective?

Your body needs protein to function. It is the building block of your muscles. This is why a high protein diet is mandatory if you are interested in increasing your muscle mass. During any strength training or weightlifting workout, your muscles are getting broken down. To rebuild and repair your muscles you need high quantities of protein.

So why is a diet based on high protein foods effective in losing weight? Most foods high in protein are extremely low in carbs and saturated fat (which is the fat that you DON'T want to eat). Therefore, by eating a high protein diet loaded with high protein foods, at the same time you'd end up eating low carb foods and low saturated fat foods. And, if you didn't already know, in order to lose weight and lose fat, eating low carbs and eating little or no saturated fat is a MUST. Examples or high protein foods include chicken, turkey, lean meat, fish and egg whites.

You require from .5 grams to 2 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight, but try to stick closer to 1 gram per pound. So, if you weigh 175lbs, eat 175 grams of protein everyday, whether you worked out that day or not. I eat a little over 1 gram of protein per pound, and most people who are looking to gain weight, get big and increase muscle should also try to eat at least 1 gram per pound a day, or a little more then that. Someone looking to lose weight can and should eat at least 1 gram per pound as well.

Alternative Sources of High Protein

Consuming the required quantity of high protein foods can be difficult. The alternative is protein supplements. Protein shakes (which are just the powder mixed with any liquid you want) and bars are the perfect solution. Drinking your average shake with 2 scoops of protein powder will give you 30+ grams of protein, and it only takes a minute to make and drink. The average bars also have about 30 grams each, and are the size of your average candy bar, so they are very easy to carry around with you. For more information on these protein supplements like bars, powder, and shakes, click here.

There are 3 "most important" times to consume high protein, they are first thing in the morning after you wake up, last thing at night before you go to bed, and directly after your workout. However, remember that the main point of eating a high protein diet is to give your body the protein it needs all day long, which is why it would be a good idea to eat a meal once every 3 hours or so this way your body will always have what it needs.