Why You Feel Stronger Without Seeing a Difference in Muscle Definition
Lifting far heavier than the amount of weight you started with is one of the most satisfying, rewarding feelings you can get at the gym, but let’s be real, we want to see the muscle definition too. It’s frustrating to know you are stronger, your gym habits show it, but are unable to see the muscle you know is there. So if you are hitting the weights multiple times a week why are you not seeing it?
First, make sure your diet is where it needs to be. Your diet being inconsistent, too indulgent, or lacking proper nutrients and protein, will affect your muscle definition. Track your macronutrients (if you don’t know what macronutrients are, start here) to make sure you are hitting your protein goals and are not overindulging in fats and carbohydrates. If you are unsure of what your macros should be or what foods you should be eating, consult with one of our certified personal trainers. (P.S. Your first workout and consultation is free.) Some quick tips you can implement every day are drinking more water, incorporating more vegetables and lean proteins, and staying away from complex carbs, refined sugar, and processed foods.
Next, up your cardio. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest, but you need to incorporate cardio into your routine on top of your typical weight lifting gym sessions. Try to do cardio at least three times per week with a group spinning class, boxing, the age-old treadmills or ellipticals, or find something that you truly enjoy to help you burn calories while making you want to come back to the gym. This will help your body transition from a higher percentage of body fat into more lean muscle mass.
If you make these two changes, your muscles should start appearing in no time.