It’s almost tragic – some people work their tails off at the gym only to sabotage their efforts in the kitchen. Doing the right exercises at the right intensity is only part of the battle if you want to obtain total fitness. Without the right base in nutrition, all your effort will go for naught. Here are some tips:
1) Water is the key. Your body is made up mostly of water, so staying hydrated will key to any fitness goals. It’s necessary to protect you from injury and harm, to recover from workouts, and to build muscle. Aim for a half gallon to a gallon of water a day, depending on how much you work out.
2) Next, don’t miss out on carbs. Low-carb diet crazes may be all the rage, but don’t buy into them if you’re serious about fitness. You need energy to complete your workouts and go through your day, and you won’t succeed by starving your body of carbs, the main energy nutrient.
3) Protein will be crucial for (re)building
muscle, so don’t skimp out. Make sure to eat lean portions of protein, such as fish, turkey, or chicken. Try to eat about .5 to 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight depending on your goals.
4) Despite its bad reputation, fat is still a crucial macronutrient for a healthy, efficient body. Some fats are ‘cleaner’ than others – try to avoid saturated fats and trans fats, generally found in animal sources like beef. Eat foods that will give you healthy unsaturated fats, like omega 3 fatty acids, found in tuna, flaxseed oil, and other healthy protein sources.
