Making the decision to get big rippling muscles can be very quick. Actually doing it, however, can be an overwhelming process when you start digging into all of the information that is available out there. If you have a simple, well thought out plan, it can save you lots of time and aggravation. I have laid out 5 simple steps to help you through the process.



Set Goals

The first thing you want to do is determine what you are ultimately trying to achieve. How do you want to look? How do you want to feel? What do you want to accomplish with your new body? Do you want to lose 20 lbs of fat or gain 20 lbs of muscle?

"I want to get big and ripped" is not specific enough. You need to know in your mind what it means for you to be big and ripped, otherwise you will never be happy with your results.

Once you have your "big" goal, you need to set smaller, more easily attainable goals. This will do a couple of things for you. First, when you reach these smaller goals, you will know that you are making progress. Also, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to move toward your next goal. These small goals can be a simple as losing 2 lbs in a week. Just make sure they are realistic and move you towards your ultimate goal.

Create a Workout Routine for Your Body Type

The next thing you want to do is create a workout routine that is specific to your body type and your goals. In other words, if you are a skinny guy who struggles to build muscle and your goal is to gain 20 lbs of lean muscle mass, don't chose a plan that has you doing isolated movement exercises with lots of reps. Make sure whatever program you choose is meant to do what you intend. I know it sounds like common sense but you would be amazed how many people fail to do this.

Create a Diet Plan

Just like your workout program, you want to chose a diet plan geared towards your specific needs. If you are trying to lose 20lbs, you certainly don't want to be on a diet plan for building big lean muscle because you will be consuming too many calories. Once again, common sense is not always common practice.

Measure Your Results and Adjust Appropriately

This is a very important step in the process. In order for you to know if you are on the right track you need to know where you started, where you are, and where you are going. Keep track of everything in a journal. Write down your starting measurements and keep track of your eating habits (caloric intake, fat intake, sugar intake, etc.) as well as your workout status (how much weight you are using for certain exercises, how many reps you did, etc.). Not only will this let you know if you are moving in the right direction, it will also help you determine if you need to make any changes.

Reward Yourself

This is the fun part and, amazingly, uncommon. Think of some rewards that will motivate you to hit your goals, both small and big. When you reach your goals celebrate with these rewards. This adds excitement to what sometimes feels like a redundant and never ending process. You may even find that you're hitting goals faster than you expected. If this is the case, challenge yourself and set bigger and more rewarding goals. Keep it interesting.

Put these steps into action immediately and before you know it you'll have the body of your dreams.