Athlete’s Guide to Optimal Nutrition
A solid nutrition program, backed with knowledge on nutrition, is necessary for any serious bodybuilder. Many uninformed bodybuilders go to great lengths on their training and are often met with disastrous results.Stressed and fatigued bodies are the only outcome of wrong nutritional beliefs and practices. All a bodybuilder has to do to avoid this is to arm himself with basic knowledge on nutrition and practice it. 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. Below are some warning signs indicating that you might have poor nutrition and some tips on how to get back on track.
Dwindling Strength - Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and so a low level of it will lead to decreased 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 - Irritability is often the result of low blood sugar which means you might not be getting enough carbohydrates in your diet. 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.
More frequent sick days - Being sick all the time is a sign that your immune system is weakened. Eat a variety of foods that are rich in B-vitamins and minerals such as bananas, lentils, tuna, potatoes, and turkey.
Reduced pace - A lot of people starve themselves before training. This practice is actually counter productive since you’ll mostly run out of energy in the middle of training. Eat just a small amount of carbohydrate 1 hour before training. This will give you the fuel you need especially if you are training for speed.
Lack of motivation - Losing drive is often a sign of exhaustion. 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.
The bottom line is that improper nutrition leads to training related problems. Natural supplements, such as Stemulite Fitness Formula, are a great way to help you get all the nutrition you need. You might not be getting all the nutrients you need, so taking in supplements will plug the nutritonal holes in your diet. Combine Stemulite with a sound nutritional plan for better performance and a healthier life.
