How To Maintain Your Bodybuilding Program Through The Holidays

By Hugo Rivera CFT, SPN, BSCE, Author of Body Re-Engineering BodyBuilding System

Hugo Rivera

However, what if I told you that with some planning ahead you can have your cake and eat it too? I promise you that if you practice self discipline and follow all of the tactics discussed below, your fat gain during the holidays will be minimized and, provided that you train hard, even if you use my bodybuilding holiday routine described below you will come out with new muscle that you did not have before.

Bodybuilding Tips & Advice For Staying Fit During The Holidays

There are some key steps that need to be followed in order to stay fit during the holidays. Follow the steps below and I guarantee you that come New Year's, losing weight will not be on your list of resolutions:

1. Plan Ahead, Be Organized

Plan your bodybuilding workout days one full week ahead. Because of the amounts of get-togethers and days that the gym may be closed, it is best if you decide a week ahead which days you will be attending the gym. Simply take out your calendar and schedule your workouts and even write down at what times these will be performed. In this manner, your chances of missing a workout due to parties or gym closures are eliminated.

2. Get Your Workouts In Early

Work out as early as possible, preferably first thing in the morning. If your schedule is really hectic, I would advise waking up early and getting the training done, if possible, right before you go to work.

If this is not possible, then try doing it at lunch time or right after work so that nothing else interferes with your workout. On days off from work, definitely get the training done as early as possible.

3. Hugo's Holiday Abbreviated Bodybuilding Routine (See below for full routine)

If you feel that you really cannot dedicate more than 3 days a week to your training, then just try out my Abbreviated Bodybuilding Holiday Routine shown below. The routine is designed for a serious natural bodybuilder that wants maximum muscle along with definition and is willing to train 3 days a week for 75 minutes. Not everybody is trying to look like a bodybuilder; if you're just looking to tone up then just cut 1 set for all the exercises listed and this will bring down your gym time by around 15-20 minutes so each workout will be around 55 minutes or so long. So this is less than 3 hours in total out of your entire week.

4. Planning Your Diet Cheat Days

Plan your cheat days wisely. I have to say that I am an expert at this one. The reason for this is because Thanksgiving is on November 26th, my birthday is on December 5th, my anniversary on December 17th, Christmas on the 25th and New Year's Eve on the 31.

So those are my cheat days. My advice is to attempt to space cheat days with at least 5-6 days in between, 6 being the better choice.

5. Eating Cheat Meals Wisely

Eat on your cheat meals wisely. When you have a cheat meal, start eating the protein portion first as this will get you to start feeling full. Leave the carbs for the end of the meal.

Also, try to not stuff yourself. Instead allocate six hours of cheating per cheat day and instead of having just one huge binge meal that prevents you from even being able to walk after you are done, have 3 smaller meals instead; one every 90 minutes. Take around 30 minutes to savor and make sure that after you are done with each meal you feel like you have a bit of room left. The best strategy is to eat until you are comfortably full.

After your cheat period, go back on your regular diet.

6. Workout Before Cheating

Before a cheat period it is great to have a tough workout first in order to minimize fat gain and maximize muscle gain. The reason for this is because, after a workout, the body is primed to absorb nutrients in the form of proteins and carbohydrates. Thus, having a cheat meal afterwards will ensure that most nutrients are used for recovery and muscle production.

7. Supplementing Before Cheating

Take 200mcg of Chromium Picolinate and 300 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid at the beginning of your cheat period. These supplements help increase your cell's ability to accept insulin and thus assimilate the extra carbohydrates better. As a matter of fact, increasing insulin sensitivity is one of the reasons why I like to have a big workout prior to the cheat period.

In addition, you can also take some Nitric Oxide Boosters and creatine 30 minutes prior to the first cheat meal in order to take advantage of the extra carbohydrates and insulin spike.

Finally, a good thermogenic supplement, like Labrada’s Charge ASF, is a good idea as well since this will ensure that your appetite is kept under control.

8. Have Essential Fatty Acids

Have some essential fatty acids (EFA's) with your cheat meal. Research indicates that some essential fats, like the ones found in flaxseed oil or fish oils, have anti-lipolitic properties. In other words, they inhibit some of the enzymes responsible for fat storage. Because of this, by taking these fats with your first cheat meal of your cheat period, you can minimize some of the damage. They also serve as a good natural appetite suppressant.

One tablespoon of Carlson Fish Oil or Spectrum Flaxseed Oil should do the trick. Capsules can be used but you would need 10-14 of them to equal a tablespoon of the liquid version.

9. Have Digestive Enzymes Prior To Your Cheat Meal

Take some digestive enzymes prior to each of your cheat meals. This will ensure maximum nutrient assimilation and will also help you avoid feelings of excessive fullness and indigestion. The best formula is a comprehensive enzyme formula with enzymes for proper digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

10. Take A Walk After The Cheat Period

Three to five hours after the cheat period has ended, take a 30-45 minute walk. I'm not talking about anything strenuous; around 3 miles per hour is a good pace. Doing some cardiovascular activity after the cheat period has ended will start burning some of the carbohydrates that may still be lingering around. The more of these you burn, the less likelihood of storing body fat. If you cannot do this walk on the same day as the cheat period then try it the morning after on an empty stomach.

Hugo's Abbreviated 3 Days/Week Routine

For the purpose of continued muscle growth and fat loss over the holidays, I have used the principles of cycling (the three training phases: loading, growth and active recovery) that I always preach about in order to create a routine that will keep the muscle growth/fat loss process going during the next few months with minimum visits to the gym.

This is a 3 day a week routine but don't let that fool you, it's a tough routine and will do more than just maintain you. The longest routine is the one from week three. It lasts around 75 minutes.

Loading Phase

Hugh Rivera

Mon (13-15 reps), Wed (10-12 reps), Fri (8-10 reps)

Superset:

• Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3 sets (No Rest)
• Wide Grip Pull-Ups To Front 3 sets (60 seconds)

Superset:

• Upright Rows 2 sets (No Rest)
• Bent Over Laterals 2 sets (60 seconds)

Superset:

• Seated Incline Curls 2 sets (No Rest)
• Triceps Dips 2 sets (60 seconds)

Giant-set:

• Leg Extensions 3 sets (No Rest)
• Leg Curls 3 sets (No Rest)
• Squats (Wide Stance) 3 sets (No Rest)
• Calf Raises3 sets (60 seconds)

Week #2

Mon (13-15 reps), Wed (10-12 reps), Fri (8-10 reps)

Superset:

• Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 4 sets (No Rest)
• Wide Grip Pull-Ups To Front 4sets (60 seconds)

Superset:

• Upright Rows 2 sets (No Rest)
• Bent Over Laterals 2 sets (60 seconds)

Superset:

• Seated Incline Curls 3sets (No Rest)
• Triceps Dips 3 sets (60 seconds)

Giant-set:

• Leg Extensions 4 sets (No Rest)
• Leg Curls 4 sets (No Rest)
• Squats (Wide Stance) 4 sets (No Rest)
• Calf Raises 4 sets (60 seconds)

Week #3

Mon (13-15 reps), Wed (10-12 reps), Fri (8-10 reps)

Superset:

• Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 5sets (No Rest)
• Wide Grip Pull-ups To Front 5sets (60 seconds)

Superset:

• Upright Rows 3 sets (No Rest)
• Bent Over Laterals 3 sets (60 seconds)

Superset:

• Seated Incline Curls 3 sets (No Rest)
• Triceps Dips 3 sets (60 seconds)

Giant-set:

• Lunges 5 sets (No Rest)
• Leg Curls 5 sets (No Rest)
• Squats (Wide Stance) 5 sets (No Rest)
• Calf Raises 5 sets (60 seconds)

Growth Phase

Week #4 to Week #6

Mon (10-12 reps), Wed (8-10 reps), Fri (6-8 reps)

Modified Superset:

• Incline Bench Press 3 sets (Rest 90 seconds)
• Chin-ups (Palms facing you) 3 sets (Rest 90 seconds)

Modified Giant-set:

• Rear Delt Rows (performed like a reverse bench press) 2 sets (Rest 45 seconds)
• Dumbbell Shoulder Press 2 sets (Rest 45 seconds)
• E-Z Curls 2 sets (Rest 45 seconds)
• Close Grip Bench Press 2 sets (Rest 45 seconds)

Modified Giant-set:

• Lunges (press with ball of foot) 3 sets (Rest 60 seconds)
• Leg Curls (Toes Out) 3 sets (Rest 60 seconds)
• Squats or Leg Press 3 sets (Rest 60 seconds)
• Calf Raises 3 sets (Rest 60 seconds)

Active Recovery Phase

After Week #6

Two full-body workouts a week; a routine similar to the Growth Phase (above) performed only on Mondays and Thursdays with two sets per exercise, each set consisting of 13-15 repetitions.

Also, do 20-30 minutes of cardio, first thing in the morning on the days off (Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays). Sunday is the total day of rest.

Bodybuilding Supplements Recommendation

Below is a summary of the bodybuilding supplements you should be taking throughout the holiday season:

Good Supplements To Take Prior To A Cheat Meal Period

• 200 mcg Chromium Picolinate
• 300 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Nitric Oxide Booster/Creatine product, such as Labrada's Labrada ReCharge
• Digestive Enzymes
• Essential Fats, such as Flax or Fish oils
• Thermogenic/Appetite Suppressing Supplement, like Labrada Charge Ephedra Free

Additional Basic Supplements

• Comprehensive Multiple Vitamins and Mineral Formula (this should go without saying)
• Meal Replacement Packets or Protein Supplements to be used whenever you're not able to consume a real meal
• 1 gram of vitamin C at Meals 1, 3 and 5. Extra vitamin C not only may help lower cortisol levels but also keeps immunity high during this period where most people catch colds.
  

Holiday Bodybuilding Dieting
For Non-Cheat Days

Please take a look at the diet below so that you have an idea of what your bodybuilding diet during your "non-cheat days" should consist of:

Sample Bodybuilding Diet For Men

Meal 1 (7 AM)

1 cup of dry oats mixed with water
1 cup of egg beaters

Meal 2 (9 AM)

Meal replacement packet like Labrada’s Lean Body mixed with water OR a protein powder (with around 40 grams of protein) mixed with 40 grams of carbs from cream of rice, grits, or oatmeal.
1 Tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil (Spectrum brand is best)

Meal 3 (12 Noon)

1 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6-8 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish

Meal 4 (3 PM)

Same as Meal 2 but without flaxseed oil.

Meal 5 (6 PM)

1 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6-8 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish

Meal 6 (8 PM)

2 scoops of slow released proteins like Pro V60
1 tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil

Sample Bodybuilding Diet For Women

Meal 1 (7 AM)

1/2 cup of dry oats mixed with water
1/2 cup of egg beaters

Meal 2 (9 AM)

Meal replacement packet like Labrada’s Lean Body for Her mixed with water OR a protein powder (with around 25-30 grams of protein) mixed with 25-30 grams of carbs from cream of rice, grits, or oatmeal.
1/2 Tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil (Spectrum Brand is best)

Meal 3 (12 Noon)

1/2 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish

Meal 4 (3 PM)

Same as Meal 2 but no flaxseed oil.

Meal 5 (6 PM)

1/2 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish

Meal 6 (8 PM)

1 scoop of slow released proteins like Pro V60
1/2 tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil

Conclusion

Try out the tips and workout above and, provided that you follow a good diet along with just limiting yourself to cheat meals on Christmas day and New Year's Eve, you should avoid the catastrophic effects that the holidays leave behind in most people. As a matter of fact, you should look better!

Best of Health and Happy Holidays!

     Hugo

Hugo Rivera CFT, SPN, BSCE. is a lifetime natural bodybuilder, multi certified personal trainer, industry consultant, and fitness expert who not only knows training and nutrition theory, but also applies it on a daily basis as evidenced by the fact that he's always in shape and by his awards and high placings at numerous national level bodybuilding competitions. He is also an internationally known best selling fitness author with a very successful franchise of books called "The Body Sculpting Bibles" which collectively have sold over a million copies. Hugo is also author of the very popular “Body Re-Engineering” e-book, which teaches you how to gain lean muscle mass and get lean without drugs, or fancy expensive supplements, using the secrets he devised after many years of weight problems as a child. For more information on Hugo’s Muscle Building / Fat Loss Program, please check www.LoseFatAndGainMuscle.com.