Sometimes it seems like you're doing everything you can to eat right and stick to your training prog...

1. 5 Mistakes That Are Stopping You From Building Muscle
Sometimes it seems like you're doing everything you can to eat right and stick to your training
program, but that tape measure around your biceps just doesn't want to budge. You've reached the
dreaded plateau. Nearly every athlete goes through this type of training blockade at some point, and
it can be seriously frustrating. You obviously don't want to throw in the towel, but overdoing it could
leave you susceptible to injury. If lifting doesn't seem to be getting you anywhere, you might be
making some huge errors that you haven't considered. Avoid these five mistakes, and you'll be back
on track before you know it.
Source: iStock

2. 1. Not eating enough of the right foods
Sticking to carrot sticks might seem like a good way to lose the pudge and pack on muscle, but
restricting your diet too much is one of the worst things you can do. Men's Fitness said muscle
growth isn't possible without a calorie surplus. The article went on to explain that insufficient food
intake forces your body into starvation mode, which causes you to shed muscle and store fat. And if
you just hit the gym, you need to feed those ailing muscles as soon as you can. According to Men's
Health, eating shortly after exercise helps repair muscles. Skipping that post-workout meal could
cause your muscles to break down, so pack a snack or recovery drink.
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Don't kid yourself into thinking you can eat whatever you want, though. Even the most intense
exercise regimen won't make up for a crappy diet. About Health said eating too many refined
carbohydrates and high-fat foods will keep you from achieving your ideal physique. And don't forget
about protein -- BuiltLean said every individual is a bit different, but men interested in losing weight
should try to eat their desired body weight in grams of protein. If you're looking to lose weight to get
to 190 pounds, that means you'll want to aim for 190 grams of protein. If you're trying to gain
weight, you'll want to increase the amount a bit.
Source: iStock
2. Always sticking to the same routine
Many guys in the gym always head for the same weights, do the same number of sets, in the same
order every single time they work out. It might be easier on your mind, but it's also easier on your
muscles. If you want to see improvements, you'll need to step away from the arm curls
occasionally. Muscle Strength explained the body adapts to stress, so it no longer sees the need to
grow once it's used to a certain level of exertion. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to work past this

3. plateau once you recognize the problem. Muscle Fitness recommended changing your order,
switching exercises, increasing weight, or doing more repetitions. You don't need to develop a new
routine for every session, but expect to alter your workout every 4 weeks or so.
Changing your routine will also keep you from getting bored. According to Men's Fitness, you'll
struggle to make gains if your workouts aren't progenex lawsuit interesting anymore. That might
mean trying something you've never done before, which could seem a little bit intimidating. Instead
of shying away from something because you're afraid you won't be any good, Outside Online says to
embrace the challenge. Incorporating new moves will help prevent muscle imbalances that can lead
to injuries.
Source: iStock
3. Screwing up sets
Even if you're trying your hardest for every lift, you aren't going to see results if you're taking a 10-
minute break between each set. Besides, you don't want to be the obnoxious guy who hogs the same
bench for an hour while swiping through photos on Tinder. Muscle Fitness reported one study found
people who rested less than 1 minute between sets actually burned up to 50% more calories than
those who rested for 3 minutes.
The number of sets, as well as repetitions, you complete also has a huge impact on your ability to
grow muscle. Bodybuilding.com said you should be aiming for 12 to 20 sets of eight to 15 repetitions
for areas where you're trying to see growth, but you can get by with less for muscle groups where
you aren't looking to build as much. And while your ego might tempt you to pile on the weight, it's
not the best idea. SimplyShredded.com said you'll see more gains if you stick with something

4. managable, maintain good form, and go for more repetitions.
Source: iStock
4. Not getting enough rest
Inadequate sleep can lead to all sorts of health problems, like heart disease and diabetes. It could
also be the culprit behind your fitness plateau. Men's Health said getting enough sleep is crucial,
because it's the best way to help your ailing muscles recover from lifting sessions. The article also
said that constant exhaustion can make you feel like you're working out harder than you actually
are. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, make sure you're doing everything you can to
wind down. The Huffington Post suggested reducing the amount of caffeine you consume in the
afternoon and shutting off all electronics at least an hour before you turn in.
Sleep isn't the only type of rest you should consider, because you can still be overdoing it while
getting plenty of shut-eye. If you're hitting the gym for hours every single day, that's just too much.
MuscleMag said no one should be lifting more than 2 to 3 days in a row without taking a day off. For
folks who have hit a serious wall, taking a little break will do a world of good.

5. Source: Thinkstock
5. Overdoing cardio
Any good fitness routine involves a combination of cardio and strength training. Figuring out the
proper balance is the hard part. Men looking to build muscle can completely derail their efforts if
they're spending too much time on the treadmill. Men's Fitness revealed going overboard on cardio
sessions depletes your cumulative calories, which are necessary for muscle growth. It's especially
problematic if you're exercising on an empty stomach. The article went on to say this will force your
body to burn muscle as fuel.
So how much is too much? It really depends on the individual. Born Fitness suggested keeping it to
three or four sessions, lasting between 30 and 40 minutes. If you prefer high-intensity intervals,
stick with two to three sessions. Even with these guidelines, though, you may have to adjust
depending on how your body reacts.
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