Ever wondered why some of us manage to get the jaw dropping physique you always wanted, while some others come a cropper at it ? Why do some sweat it out in the gym only to find months later they were no different than they were when they started, while some others assume a dramatic change in their appearance even without much toil ? Well, worry not. All you have to do is sit back , flush out all that you’ve been given to understand so far about body building and get your eye into what you read next.

The answer to all worrying fitness questions lies in some basic knowledge about muscles, nutrition and sleep. The more you are ignorant of these topics, the more you will confuse yourself to despair. Never mind what the protein supplement manufacturers have to claim or what expert body builders have to advise. Their views and suggestions might well be directed towards an ulterior motive that is difficult to see through. Observing a few simple points will take your body streets ahead of most of your competitors in minimal time and with minimal effort. No magic tips, no magic food but just plain natural discipline is the key to achieving the body you always wanted, atleast in most cases.

Now let me make it clear that we are not delving into the science of the human body or the unknown details of various foods and their nutritional value and so on. This is just about a few basic points to bear in mind for a successful result. So lets start right off . Here are the most critical points that make the difference between success and failure in body building.

HOW MUCH WORK OUT – Forget about the one hour daily schedule or the alternate day routine or the various different suggestions you read on fitness websites.

Remember there is really no particular time limit or rule you have to stick to. The most effective workout session is the one which leaves you charged up and energetic even after you leave the gym. The duration of this session could depend on factors like your last sleep session, your food intake the previous day and your general state of mind. Never have a fixed time period in mind while in the gym. If you do, then you could inadvertently push yourself far beyond your limit or conversely you could end up not pushing yourself enough to make a difference. You are bound to feel exerted in the course of a workout but do understand the difference between exerted and exhausted. If you find a hint of exhaustion creeping in, its time you called it a session.

HOW HEAVY HOW LIGHT - Most people do realise the fact that you need to gradually increase the weight you lift at regular intervals. But how long should this interval last ? Never have a set interval in mind. Never aim to lift so many pounds within a span of so many days or weeks and so on. It will get you nowhere in building your muscle. Go for a heavier weight if and only if your body seems naturally able to manage it, regardless of how long you have been at the previous weight. If you’ve been at 10 pounds for your biceps for a month but are still not able to get it up to 12 or 15, then simply stick to 10 for the time being. Wait a little longer till you feel stronger. How soon you can go higher on the weights will depend on various factors like your diet and rest. Sometimes you may even be doing poorer than you think so its best to leave the weights decision to your natural ability.

SLEEP - Do not perplex yourself deciding how long to sleep. Just get a lie down whenever you can afford it, and see that you are not left wanting for more sleep when you wake up in the morning. That’s all there is to it.

DIET - Perhaps the most confusing factor to any novice bodybuilder. What should you eat and how much and when ? Well the more you dig into these questions, the more you will find yourself doing far from what you really should be doing. Remember the cardinal rule. Eat whenever you feel like and eat healthy. Never mind the recommended protein intake , egg whites or chicken breasts or even tuna fish.

As long as you include a daily balanced diet of protein and carbohydrates, you are good to go. You will be surprised to learn that a diet as simple as a few full eggs, bananas, wheat and dry fruits daily could prove far more effective than you ever thought !

SUPPLEMENTS - It may be the buzzword among fitness circles, but do not be fooled by the hype. You will never need such supplements unless you are prone to pushing yourself to the very limit of your capacity, which you really have no reason to do. If all you need is an attractive body within a normal reasonable period of time, then better stay away from supplements, no matter how natural they claim to be.

So there you have it. Do not worry too much about how long a rest your body needs or how much protein or how heavy a weight you need to lift etc. These are just the points that most dodgy websites blow out of proportion to get you to do things in their favour. Hit the gym only if you feel energetic enough , go for a weight that’s just a little less than comfortable, sleep well and eat healthy whenever you feel like it.

Happy bodybuilding !