The Most Important Factor When Building Lean Muscle Just the other day, someone asked me what I thought was the #1 "Most Important Factor" when building lean muscle and getting in shape. They wanted to know if it was Cardio, Weight Training, or Proper Nutrition. I think my answer may have puzzled him a bit because I said none of those play the biggest role when determining how much lean muscle mass you'd build. After I thought about the question for a few minutes, I told him that there was a more important factor that preceded any of those he mentioned. I told him it was your attitude that determined your fitness levels and what type of condition you'll achieve. You see, proper nutrition, supplements, cardio exercise, and weight training are all important factors when building lean muscle, but it is your attitude that determines how hard you focus on each of those areas. Generally speaking, your attitude is simply how you view things in life, how you see something to be. More specifically, you either have a positive view, or slant on things, or a negative view. This attitude shines through in all that you do, including working out, dieting, and building lean muscle mass. If you generally have a good, positive attitude towards fitness, then you are going to approach working out with more intensity and more meaning. You realize that in order to achieve and maintain a certain level of conditioning, you have to “pay the price” and put in some hard work. But working out does not seem to be a “chore” with a positive attitude. You look forward to it and feel positive knowing that the steps you take in and out of the gym are going to bring you closer to the body that you want. On the other hand, if you approach working out and dieting with more of a "negative attitude" you are either going to: 1. Do nothing at all as far as working out and eating healthy because it all seems like so much hard work to get in great shape. Since working out seems like a chore, you find it much easier just to sit back and complain about your current situation, doing nothing to fix it. With a negative view, you label “working out” as too much hard work and do not take the necessary steps to get the body you want. That’s why it’s important to view working out in a positive light and not a negative one. Focus more on what you want rather than what you don’t want. Or, with a negative attitude: 2. You are going to do the bare minimum when it comes to working out and watching what you eat. With a negative mindset, you’re maybe going to go to the gym once in a while, but once there, not give it your 100% all. When it comes time to maintain a healthy eating regimen, you are not going to be quite as strict as you should be and you are going to give in to “instant pleasure” when the long term rewards seem so distant and far away. So be more aware of your mindset and attitude when it comes to working out and getting fit. Like Zig Ziglar says, “Do a check-up from the neck up" when building lean muscle mass. If you approach building muscle mass with a positive attitude, you ARE going to take the necessary steps to get in shape, even when it would be so much easier to stay in and watch TV. You realize that persistence will pay off and that all of these workouts and times skipping the pizza WILL get you where you want to be. Conversely, approach your workouts and nutrition with a negative mindset and you are setting yourself up for failure. If you view working out and healthy eating with a negative viewpoint, you are not going to give your best when doing them. As I am sure you’re aware, you only get in return what you give, harvest what you plant. Be more positive in all areas of your fitness approach and you'll start building lean muscle much, much faster. Finally, a simple, proven workout program that shows you, step by step, how to set up your training and nutrition for building lean muscle! Building Lean Muscle Home Page 18 Whitney Ave Portland, ME 04102 All information on this site protected by Copyright(c) All Rights Reserved Shawn LeBrun Fitness/Muscle Building Routines To Build Muscle Fast 2002-2005