Let’s face it: we all want a stronger, leaner, and more capable body. The truth is, if you want to look like an athlete, you have to train your body like an athlete, taking into account both the physical training and also nutrition requirements.

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To get started on sculpting a stronger body, experts recommend focusing on burning fat and building lean muscle through a healthy diet, cardiovascular exercise, and strength training. Whether you’re just getting started on your journey or are well on your way, try these 5 tips for building muscle and burning fat.

1. Focus on functional movements. To sculpt your way to a stronger body, it’s important to integrate movements into your routine that train your body in all three planes of motion: movements that require rotations, turning, twisting and side-to-side motions are your best bet. Training in all planes of motion most closely resembles your natural movement patterns and will add intensity and variety to your workouts.One of Fit Approach's favorite functional workouts is HIIT & Flow! It is designed to take you through a high intensity, interval-based workout that is based on your body’s natural movement patterns.
2. Gain flexibility. To avoid injury, it is important to increase your flexibility and mobility early on in your training program. Your training should include equal parts stretching to intensity which can be done by incorporating a regular yoga practice into your routine (recommended at least 3-5 times per week) and incorporating workouts that focus on strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance.
3. Perform compound exercises. Compound, or multi-joint exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, rows, step ups, and deadlifts work major muscle groups and help you build more muscle mass and burn more fat.
4. Make breakfast a priority. We’ve all heard the saying before - breakfast is the most important meal of the day - and while it sounds like something your parents tell you to get you to eat fruit instead of sugary cereal, it does have some merit. Breakfast gives you the energy you need to start your day, and jumpstarts your metabolism, meaning if you eat the right kind of breakfast, you’ll be less hungry the rest of the day. It also sets the trend: you’ll tend to eat healthier if your day starts with a healthy breakfast.
   
   Need some healthy breakfast inspiration? Here are some of our favorite options -
   
   Roasted Fall Vegetable Buddha Bowl
   
   
   
   
   
   Rainbow Sheet Pan Vegetables
   
   
   
   
   
   Omega 3 Breakfast Burrito
   
   
   
   
   
5. Eat more protein with every meal. If you want to sculpt a stronger body, you need more healthy protein in your diet; it is absolutely essential for building and maintaining muscle and also helps fat loss as protein helps you stay full longer than carbs. The best way to ensure that you’re getting the proper amount of protein is to eat a whole protein source with each and every meal.
   
   

   Even as a vegetarian, a favorite way to get a good, healthy protein fix is with Eggland’s Best eggs. They go great with just about everything (hard-boiled eggs in salads, fried eggs on toast, eggs with veggie/rice stir-fry, etc) and they provide 13% of our daily protein intake (with just one egg!), Not only are Eggland’s Best eggs my go-to protein source, they also have superior nutrition than ordinary eggs such as 6x more vitamin D, more than double the vitamin B12, and 10x more vitamin E.

   To sculpt a stronger body, you have to train hard, smart, and also safely, focusing on functional, total body exercises and a nutritious, protein-packed diet. Need more workout inspiration? Check out some of Fit Approach's favorite workouts