Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of an athlete’s career. Still, many athletes do not realize the importance of this or they’re just simply clueless about the subject. Not knowing anything about nutrition will lead to bad habits that then result in an unsuccessful career. Take for instance bodybuilders who take weight loss to the extreme before a competition. Extreme weight loss produces a lot of stress on one’s body and this can lead to a difficulty in increasing muscle mass and strength over the long-term. Nutrition simply is eating the right food, at the right amount, and at the right time. Knowing this is not enough, you also need to practice it. This entails you to strictly monitor and record your food and calorie intake and abide by nutritional principles.
Catherine Jackson, author of the book “Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete”explains that following a very strict, high-protein diet often leads to irritability and decreased endurance. This can be remedied by initially consuming adequate amounts of calories. I’ll list here some basic and valuable guidelines on nutrition to help you with your training.
Get enough protein from a variety of sources – Strength is an important factor in maintaining a regular training program and too little protein affects strength. Do not solely rely on protein drinks and bars for your daily protein supply. Foods rich in protein are meat, chicken, egg, milk and soya – based products.
Moodiness or irritability – Moodiness and Irritability is actually brought about by low blood sugar. This can be interpreted as a sign that you’re not eating enough carbohydrates. In addition, a lack of carbohydrates will affect your ability to focus. Maintain healthy blood sugar levels by eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day, combined with protein to slow down blood sugar absorption.
Increase in sick days – Getting a cold or catching a flu that doesn’t go away could also be signs of a weakened immune system. Make sure you’re getting enough B-vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods to stay on the right track.
Decrease in pace – If you’ve been focused on increasing endurance but can’t get past your usual times on the treadmill or during your sprint sessions, you may not be fueling up or eating before your workout. Eating carbohydrates at least one hour before training will give you the energy you need to bring you back to speed.
Loss of motivation – Lack of motivation is a sign of burnout. Make sure you’re eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady level of energy. Distribute your food intake throughout the day to stabilize your energy level. Successful athletes are generally known to eat at 2-3 hour intervals.
Poor nutrition can actually derail your training efforts. A great way to boost your training is to take nutritional supplements, such as Stemulite Fitness Formula. Eating alone is sometimes not enough and so supplements can help make up for any nutritional deficiencies. Take Stemulite together with a proper nutritional regimen to boost your training results and performance.
