Along with the Mr. Olympia competition, pro football, and the return of The Walking Dead, the fall season also happens to be the time many lifters begin to consider bulking up in order to unveil a bigger and stronger body the following spring. Trouble is, adding mass while achieving the strength gains and a physique you’re content with can be tricky to pull off.

“People think that more working out makes more muscle — period,” says celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson. “Mass is a lifestyle, and it takes proper nutrition, timing of that nutrition, and recovery. Oh, and more working out, too.”

We asked Peterson a handful of dietary questions surrounding mass gains in hopes of clearing up any confusion.

The number one reason that people start to work out and improve their eating habits is to lose fat. Sure, everyone also wants to improve his or her health condition and get more physically fit but let’s be honest here: We all want to look better. Losing fat, improving your fitness level and health condition are usually all wrapped up into one. You lose fat, improve your fitness level and you will improve your overall health condition. The problem is that there is so much misinformation out there, leading to most people getting discouraged and quitting.