Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Well, it’s not too late to change that and have Rockstar success this summer in your training and racing.
When it comes to sport nutrition us athletes spend much of our time focusing on what to eat before, during, and after a hard workout or race but how many of you really pay attention to what you are eating in between these sessions?
“Proper nutrition is essential for any athlete, but it plays a particularly important role for endurance athletes because of the special demands and stresses of their sport” Monique Ryan, nationally recognized nutritionist.
Think of your nutrition as energy in = energy out. What you put into your body in the form of food and drink is your fuel. Just as important as your sport nutrition is the nutrition you ingest on a daily basis. The type of fuel you CHOOSE (and yes, it is always a choice) has a direct impact on the amount and quality of energy you are able to put out at home with the kids, at work, or climbing Midtown Hill on the IM WI course. It affects your ability to focus and concentrate on that 50 page project or proposal you have to write.
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard athletes talk about the Culver’s cheeseburger, fries, and custard they are eating “because they’ve earned it” from yesterday’s hard training session. Well, I’m wondering if they would still consider that as a treat if they knew the nutrients supplied in that meal actually increase internal inflammation, slow recovery, decrease circulation, increase brain-fog, induce fatigue, bloating, lack of motivation and irritability.
I know, I know, I can hear the grumbles out there already but if you are REALLY SUPER DUPER honest with yourself, you will admit you have experienced at least some of those symptoms after eating a meal such as this.
It is ALWAYS a great time to focus on your nutritional intake, cleaning up to your next level. This includes getting rid of “stuff” that’s not great for you as well as adding “stuff” that IS great for you. Here are 3 easy steps you can begin today:
- Take a solid, honest look at your intake – does it contain variety; fresh foods; a rainbow of colors; foods rich in probiotics; antioxidants; and are nutritionally dense?
- Consider participating in a cleanse (or detox) program to eliminate sugar, caffeine, alcohol addictions. All of these are ok in moderation. What you want to eliminate is the NEED for them.
- Stop eating processed foods and fast foods. Never buy anything from a drive thru or gas station.
Your nutrition is the basis of your building blocks. This cannot be ignored. When you are training for a goal go for Rockstar Success. Begin first with your building blocks, set up a strong foundation and THEN go hard, long, and smart. It’s a choice – it’s ALWAYS a choice.