You may not aspire to be a fitness competitor or a cover model, but you may still want to lean down and build some beautiful, statuesque muscles. Burning fat and building muscle not only makes your body look better, but it's also a positive step toward living a longer, healthier life! And that's something everyone should want.
So, if you've been thinking about stepping into the fitness game, but aren't sure where to start, I've created the perfect plan for you!
Check out Kelsey's 50-pound weight-loss story here.
Start Smart Plan To Succeed
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The first step in achieving your goals is to make sure you know exactly what you want. From there, make a daily action plan that will move you forward toward that goal.
If your fitness goal is to get leaner and build a little muscle, the first thing I recommend is creating a nutrition plan. Eating healthy is often the hardest part, but it's by far the most important aspect of being leaner and healthier. Personally, I never saw the results I wanted until I took control of the food I was eating.
Second, start a workout plan that has a great balance of weight training and cardio. Don't worry ladies—you won't bulk up from lifting weights! Resistance training is the only thing that has made my body look shapely and more youthful. I encourage you to trust the process and give weight training a chance. I guarantee you'll like the changes you see!
Following a "cardio only" workout plan just makes you a smaller version of what you already are. It's impossible to build those round shoulders and carve nice arms when all you're doing is running or walking on a treadmill.
Fitness Model Training Plan
Do you have your goals written down? Are you prepared to take the necessary steps to get there? Here's the perfect plan to get you moving on the right path. Let's get started!
Training to look like a fitness model takes time and dedication, but it's also a lot of fun! Lifting weights can make you feel like a badass and will make your body look amazing.
For this training plan, you'll work each muscle group once per week. If you have a lagging muscle group—in my case, it's glutes—work it twice per week with at least two days of rest between workouts.
Make sure that you're using enough weight to make every set difficult. If you can get through a set without elevating your heart rate, you're not doing enough weight. Your muscles need considerable resistance in order to change.
Weeks 1 and 2
Use the first week to gauge your strength and endurance. Learn how to do every exercise by watching the video for each exercise and practicing good form.
During Week 2, each exercise should be done for 3 sets of 12 reps, except for abdominal exercises which should be done for 3 sets of 25 reps.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
Days 6 and 7: Rest
Weeks 3 and 4
The second part of this program is a little more difficult than the first two weeks. You'll be doing some different exercises, and you'll be using more weight. If you can lift the weight for 15 reps, you're not going heavy enough. Try using enough weight so you can hit 12 reps on the first set, 10 on the second, and 8 on the third.
During Week 4, perform 4 sets of 8-12 reps to failure.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
Day 6: Rest
BodyFit
$6.99/month- 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
- 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
- Detailed workout instruction
- Step-by-step workout tips
- Training at gym or at home
- Access to Workout Plans
- Access to Bodyfit App
- Store Discounts
Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit? Sign In
What comes with BodyFit?
- Instructional Videos
Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.
- How-to Images
View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.
- Step-by-Step Instructions
Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.
Fitness-Model Nutrition
Your food decisions determine 80 percent of your results. You may exercise hard, but only 20 percent of the changes you see in the mirror will come from what you do in the gym.
So before you even step foot in a gym, fine-tune your nutrition. Start by determining your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). That will give you a pretty good indication of how many calories you need to eat.
Calculate Your Total Daily Energy Expenditure!
When you know how many calories to eat, break them down into a macronutrient ratio. I follow a 40/40/20 macro ratio, which means 40 percent of my calories come from protein, 40 percent from complex carbohydrates, and 20 percent from healthy fats.
That's usually a good place to start. But, you can always alter the numbers to fit what you like to eat. So, if you like a little more fat in your diet, try a 40/30/30 ratio.
If you're not exactly sure how to start, try this sample meal plan. It includes four days of meals to help you learn what foods are best and when to eat them.
Sample Meal Plan 1
Egg Whites
(scrambled)
Spinach
Oatmeal
(measured dry)
Coffee
Water
Greek Yogurt
(nonfat)
Apple
(or protein shake)
Chicken
(grilled)
Sweet Potato
Asparagus
(steamed)
Protein Shake
Burger Patty
(extra lean)
Whole Wheat Hamburger Bun
Avocado
Lettuce
Tomato
Onion
Egg Whites
(scrambled)
Spinach
Salsa
(pico de gallo)
Oatmeal
Sample Meal Plan 2
Protein Shake
Greek Yogurt
(nonfat)
Rice Cake
Chicken
(grilled)
Hash Browns
Broccoli
(steamed)
Protein Shake
Egg Whites
(scrambled)
Spinach
Salsa
Ezekiel Bread
Avocado
Ground Turkey
(extra-lean)
Salad
(spinach or kale)
Salsa
Sample Meal Plan 3
Egg Whites
(scrambled)
Banana
(or berries)
Protein Shake
Mahi Mahi
(baked)
Quinoa
Asparagus
(or green beans, steamed)
Burger Patty
(lean)
Salad
(spinach)
Sweet Potato
Egg Whites
(scrambled)
Spinach
Salsa
Toast
(whole-wheat)
Avocado
Ground Turkey
(extra-lean)
Black Beans
Salsa
Vegetables
(steamed)
Meatballs
(extra-lean ground turkey)
Mustard
Sample Meal Plan 4
Protein Shake
Greek Yogurt
(nonfat)
Apple
(nonfat)
Steak
(lean)
Baked Potato
Salad
(spinach or kale)
Meal Replacement Shake
Egg Whites
(scrambled)
Hash Browns
Salsa
Cottage Cheese
(low-fat)
Toast
(whole-wheat)
Meatballs
(extra-lean ground turkey)
Mustard