Extreme dieting, supplements, protein and hardcore workouts are all aspects of becoming a bodybuilder. I have several friends, male and female, who have recently become involved in bodybuilding. It’s very obvious that there is a significant difference between simply getting into shape and bodybuilding.

Bodybuilding is more than eating healthy and working out. Bodybuilders looking for ‘weight gain’ are expected to consume 20-to-22 calories per pound of body weight on a day where they weight train. On non-training days they aim for about 18 calories per pound of body weight. The reason for so many calories is to give the body energy to grow and keep growing.

However, the calorie consumption varies depending on the diet that an individual follows. Bodybuilders, both males and females, looking to cut weight can limit their calories to as low as 1,200-1,500 calories per day.

Their diets can be calculated into percentages of carbohydrates, fibers, protein, calcium, and others. Most bodybuilders’ diets consist of chicken, fish, oatmeal, egg-whites, salads, low-fat cottage cheese, tons of water, protein powder and veggies. They are incredibly conscious of everything they put into their bodies. It’s vital that they avoid alcohol, sweets and all bread items.

Bodybuilding can be dangerous. For example, taking certain protein powders and supplements without knowing the side effects or not following the diet plan correctly may be harmful.

In an article by Gerald Pugliese, he wrote, “Bodybuilders are concerned with getting big and getting big quickly. If it’s not about getting big, then it is about getting cut and getting cut quickly. Both of these bodybuilding goals fail to address the scared little guy in the corner – your health.” One of my friends who got into bodybuilding, lost 96 pounds in 12 weeks. That’s 8 pounds per week. Dropping his body fat percentage way below normal. After the competitions or ‘shows’ bodybuilders bring their body fat back up to normal which takes a toll on their body’s metabolism and carb cycle. After completing a competition a bodybuilder is likely to binge. This can lead to serious health issues.

Is it really worth it to risk your health with a bunch of crazy dieting and taking protein powders and supplements just to get bigger? Instead of transforming the body into a massive bulk, choose to get in-shape and fit in a natural way because being jacked up on pre-workout isn’t attractive. Not to mention the clear facts that it’s detrimental to a person’s health.

Don’t risk staying healthy to have bulging muscles and eye-popping veins. Instead choose to live a healthier lifestyle by staying in-shape and eating healthy without all the restrictions and consumption of muscle boosters.