Anyone who has tried to get into better shape knows how important food is. It is not just to lose weight or gain muscle but it also provides vital fuel to ensure you have enough energy to push yourself past your self-imposed limits. However, despite feeling you’re eating well, you may not see the results you hoped for, so what gives? You might not be approaching your meals correctly, so consider these tips to help change your perception and boost your performance.
Outline Your Goals
Although everyone has the same goal to become healthier, there are variations. Some want to exercise to encourage weight loss while others are trying to build muscle or conditioning. Outlining your goals is an excellent opportunity to focus on the best type of meals to improve your workout. Once you know what you are aiming for, you will find it easier to adapt your diet and food intake, whether you’re trying to bulk up by consuming lots of protein or opting for a leaner appearance by significantly reducing your calorie intake.
Plan Your Meals
A busy lifestyle can make it challenging to eat what’s best for you, especially after a long day when you don’t want to put together something nutritious when you get home. Rather than rely on fatty takeouts or non-filling granola bars, plan your meals so you always have something to eat. This athlete meal plan is a superb reference, but you can adjust the meals and calorie levels to match your needs. Simply prep them on Sunday and freeze them for the week.
Do Not Forget About Recovery Supplements
You don’t always need a steak dinner to get your protein and improve your recovery experience. Many products provide an effective amount of protein that takes just thirty seconds to create. Protein powders from the AthleticStore are a popular choice and you can consume them anywhere and anytime, whether as a meal replacement or to add a little extra oomph to your breakfast and lunch to give you the energy you need to get through the day and avoid flagging before your workout.
Replace Bad Snacks
Everyone has that one bad habit (or maybe more), but this guilty pleasure is something you look forward to every day. It’s a reward for putting up with nonsense at work or working out for a little longer than usual. However, it could also be setting your progress back even if it’s only ever so slightly. Junk food is a common bad habit, so looking for junk food alternatives is an excellent way to avoid undoing all the hard work you’ve put in while still giving yourself the treat you deserve.
Find the Perfect Balance
A balanced diet is not just about eating plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as meat. In fact, it’s far more complex than that. You need to make sure you do not overconsume as this leads to unmanageable weight gain. Depending on your goals, look for a diet plan that covers all your needs to lead you toward the results you crave. This may involve eating a little more of this and a little less of that, but you’ll quickly see the benefits that make it worth it.
Fats Does Not Equal Bad
Most people who aren’t as clued in on proper nutrition immediately associate fat with something negative. However, while some fats, like trans-fats, which are harmful because they contribute to bad cholesterol, other fats can be good for your health. These healthy fats such as monounsaturated (olives, avocados) and polyunsaturated fats (sunflower seeds, walnuts) are easily accessible and provide good cholesterol to help your body maintain a healthy balance.
Give Your Body Fuel Before Your Activity
It’s natural to feel sluggish during a workout now and then, especially if you’re pushing yourself harder than usual, but it’s not right to always feel so tired. If this sounds familiar, it could be due to you not providing your body with enough fuel or hydration before and during your activity. A lack of fuel can be risky and could cause you to faint or overheat. So, while you shouldn’t eat too much before a workout, you still need something in your body to provide enough fuel for you to perform to the best of your ability.
Food For Thought
What you eat is just as important to your workouts as the activity and recovery. By changing your approach, you’ll have no issues taking your performance to the next level and meeting–or even exceeding–your goals to feel better inside and out
