Sometimes you have to slow down to get big.

I recently met a remarkable fellow who does almost everything right.  He works out very hard, eats clean every 2 hours, is a hard worker, creative, and passionate.  As often happens when I meet someone like this, we will start to talk exercise philosophy.  He told me he wants to put on some size, gain about 10 pounds of muscle, but stay healthy and lean.

Ah, but here’s the problem that happens so many times….I’ll next say “You have to do less” and then their face drops.

I feel for these fellows because I have been there.  Back when I was a wirey and thin guy wanting to be big, I also was a “go go go” kind of guy.  I never stopped moving, was motivated and enthusiastic, and was willing to work out three times a day if it gave me muscles.  But I learned (finally) that it works the opposite way.  I finally started to put on weight and size when I learned to slow down and do less.

If you’re moving 100 miles per hour you’re burning a lot of calories and fuel.  This is great if you want to stay super lean, but if you’re trying to put on muscle you have to do things differently.  You MUST eat a lot more, especially protein at every “feeding,” and then you need to get more rest and slow down.  Lean guys tend to be super active guys with metabolisms that burn a lot of calories all the time.  But if you want to add muscle to your frame you have to make yourself slow down.

I will sometimes say “Take a bubble bath each day.”  Do they need to bathe more?  No.  But they need to take time to slow down, even STOP and rest.  Muscle builds while we are resting and recuperating, and many super lean guys just never stop to rest.  (Case in point, my new friend said that on his “off day” he just goes for a nice long run.  This is not rest, this is exercise and burns calories.)

If you’re lean and want to add size, find ways to MAKE yourself slow down.  Walk slower, plan in rest times when you actually sit and read.  Get more sleep.  Take naps.

The reply at this point is often “That’s a waste of time.”  But it’s not a waste of time if it allows you to reach your goals.  Time well spent resting and recuperating is just that…Time Well Spent!  Re-think your strategy and allow yourself to slow down and take time OFF to rest and heal and grow.

In this fast paced world of ours, it can be difficult to make yourself slow down, but this is productive and healthy on many levels, not just for muscle growth.

NOTE: By the way, if you’re one of the lazier ones who already does a lot of sitting around, this is not meant for you.  You need to get off the couch and MOVE some!  🙂

So good luck slowing down and getting big.  Take my advice, workout hard, eat well, and watch the muscles grow.  Slow down to get Big!