We all have events that we are trying to get in shape for.  Whether it’s that class reunion, your best friends wedding, or a photo shoot, you have hopefully worked hard in the gym to be in the best shape ever and have kept a close eye on your diet.  But maybe you need a little extra something to make that muscle pop. I am here to help you look your absolute best, and the good news is that it isn’t just about losing body fat. 

It is great to want to look like the models in the fitness magazines.  But realize that they don’t always look the way they do, and that you are catching them when they are peaking for a photo shoot.  They usually prep for a solid week to drop any water that may blur their lean muscularity.  Getting the water out from between your skin and muscle is what makes all the difference in how you look.  To have that shredded look, maintain normal sodium intake on most days, then gradually reduce sodium leading up to a specific day when you want to look your best.  You do not want to eat a low sodium diet all the time because it can actually make it harder for you to drop water because your body will adapt.   So beware, following the tips below will definitely make people’s head turn. Just be ready to have an answer when people start asking you about what you do to look that good.

First, choose your peak date when you want to look your leanest.  Your start date begins 2 weeks before this date.  This is the day you should stop adding salt to your food.  Also avoid extremely high sodium foods such as deli meats, fast food, and salty snacks.

Ten days before the peak date, add a natural diuretic supplement.  Look for products containing both uva ursi leaf and dandelion root extract. 

One week before peak date, go as low on sodium as possible.  This means eat nothing but low sodium foods, avoid spices and dressings, and stick with primarily lean meats and fresh vegetables.  Avoid commercially prepared breads, cheeses, and canned tuna, and even limit your egg intake to 3 eggs or whites per day.  Drink 1-1.5 gallons of water per day.  Do this for 2 days.

Four days out, drink 1 gallon of water.

Three days out, drink ¾ gallon of water.

Two days out drink ½ gallon of water.  Avoid foods with high water contents such as fruits and vegetables, and anything you cook in water (oatmeal, pasta, rice).

One day out drink ¼ gallon of water.

On peak day, keep your water intake as low as possible, no more than 32 ounces.  Enjoy our razor sharp definition.

Once the peak day is over, stop using the diuretics and reverse these steps until you are drinking 1 gallon of water per day.  If you add water and sodium back too fast, you could experience severe swelling.  Slowly add salt back into your diet after you return drinking 1 gallon of water. 

Allow at least one month for your body to normalize fluid and sodium levels before following this plan again. 

Do NOT consume alcohol during this plan.  Also try eating food such as grapefruit and asparagus, which are natural diuretics, and taking caffeine pills which works similarly to dandelion root extract.