Food is Fuel
How do you view food?
Fuel?
The enemy?
Something to be avoided?
Something that causes guilt/shame?
Something that helps us fuel our body and become the best version of ourselves?
Food is not good or bad! There are some foods that will help move you in the direction of your goals and some foods that will move you away from your goals.
Cheat days make your brain think that you did something wrong. If you want a treat, have a treat and then move on.
At Fit2Live, we believe something as fundamental as nutrition shouldn’t be complicated.
Here are the 3 core principles that form our nutrition program:
1) Whole foods first!
Vegetables, proteins, fruits, nuts, seeds, complex carbs
Get your macros – protein, carbohydrates, fats. Each of these plays a vital role in your performance at the gym and your life outside the gym.
2) Hydration and water consumption
Consistency is key. We recommend consuming 60-80 ounces of water per day for a body that is well hydrated. Good hydration leads to better muscle function, better recovery, better sleep, more energy and a reduced risk for injuries.
3) Supplements should be used as supplements, not as the primary source of your nutrition.
You may hear people talk about having a protein shake after their workouts. Consuming 20-30g of protein within 60 minutes of working out is a great way to promote muscle recovery. However, if you are not consuming enough protein throughout the day, this protein shake is not going to be the magic bullet for your performance or recovery.
If a workout feels harder than it should have been, ask yourself:
What did I eat today?
What did I eat yesterday?
Am I fueling well with a focus on whole foods?
How much sleep did I get last night?
What kinds of stress am I under right now?
Am I hydrated?
Not every workout will feel awesome but overall, if you are feeling drained after most of your workouts, you may need to address the other key areas that affect your health and wellness, namely nutrition, sleep, hydration, and stress.
If you have questions around your nutrition, I would love to meet with you to discuss how adding healthy habits in all the areas of nutrition and wellness can help you be the best version of yourself.
You can book a Nutrition Strategy Session HERE.
Check out this article on building a healthy plate.
