Often times we get caught up about a single aspect to our training regimens that losing focus on other aspects to our training becomes very easy. Fitness and training isn't just one part. There are many moving parts involved to make it as beneficial and productive as possible. We have the Physical part, the Mental part, the Motivational, the Nutritional, Technical, Time, etc etc. In order to achieve optimal health and or performance, the focus on the daily tasks and endeavors need to include some kind of involvement of the many parts of fitness training, if not, then something will be missing.
The body is a marvelous work of art capable of incredible things. Even in an untrained state, it is capable of so much more than what it is given credit for. But much like any machine or creation. It is only as efficient and capable as the materials used to fuel and build it. Nutrition is essentially the Fuel and Building blocks of our body, and knowing what and how to provide our bodies with the best possible materials is a skill imperative to achieving Optimal Personal Performance.
As driven as anyone may be towards accomplishing great feats of strength, they often find themselves lacking a couple steps or not hitting bench marks as precisely as they may desire. Often the piece that they are missing is the fuel, if they are getting enough fuel, and if it is the right kind of fuel. Whenever a muscle is used it requires energy to activate the pathways needed to make the muscle perform it's function. As the body introduces stress and exercise, it searches for the easiest and simplest form of energy to use until it is depleted and then moves onto the next, a process involving 3 different energy pathways. The body will first require immediate, quickly processed energy, the first 10 seconds or so of effort is using the bodies ATP/ CP stores to satisfy this demand. After those 10 seconds of stores are used up, the body has to dip into other reserves, looking for the next simplest and easily used substance to turn into energy Glucose and Carbohydrates, with the bodies reserves lasting about 30-60 seconds. After those 30-60 seconds, the body will then look for the next simplest energy source, Fats.
ATP, Glucose, and Fats are the three main sources feeding the energy pathways our body uses to produce movement. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the principle energy source that the body produces, using the nutrients you ingest to create it. To feed these energy pathways, your nutrition needs to have enough of the nutrients you are using. And for obvious reasons, the quality of your food will dictate the efficacy your body can use it to produce the ATP needed to move.
Essentially, your body has no idea the different things you are putting in it. When you eat a piece of chicken, all your body recognizes is the proteins, fats, carbs, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that chicken provides. From those nutrients that your foods produce, your body uses them, breaks them down, divides them, and utilizes them for the various functions of your body. Everything is broken down to essential basic nutrients, and the biggest difference of your bodies efficiency to produce and use energy depends on the kinds of foods you eat. The body was made to digest natural sources. Foods with added chemicals, taken through preservation processes will get broken down, but the added energy needed to break it down makes your body expend other resources and makes it's efficiency decrease dramatically. This is why it is so important to eat that apple instead of a muffin, or eating a lean piece of fish, beef, or chicken than consuming processed protein sources. When you consume natural sources of nutrients, your body has all the tools finely tuned to digest them and use them. When planning a diet, making the choice to eat whole natural foods over processed, pre-made, or other "convenient" foods will make a world of difference on the energy levels you will have, the results from your workouts, and the progress you will see in your performances.
Preparing a truly healthy diet takes extra time to accomplish. Make the commitment and look to successful people to help teach techniques, tips, and tricks in developing good dieting habits!
How do you prepare your week to ensure a healthy diet? What struggles do you have in sticking with healthy eating? Comment to tell others who might need some help, share this post with some people who could use some help in creating a healthier lifestyle!
Every Day... A Little Stronger
As driven as anyone may be towards accomplishing great feats of strength, they often find themselves lacking a couple steps or not hitting bench marks as precisely as they may desire. Often the piece that they are missing is the fuel, if they are getting enough fuel, and if it is the right kind of fuel. Whenever a muscle is used it requires energy to activate the pathways needed to make the muscle perform it's function. As the body introduces stress and exercise, it searches for the easiest and simplest form of energy to use until it is depleted and then moves onto the next, a process involving 3 different energy pathways. The body will first require immediate, quickly processed energy, the first 10 seconds or so of effort is using the bodies ATP/ CP stores to satisfy this demand. After those 10 seconds of stores are used up, the body has to dip into other reserves, looking for the next simplest and easily used substance to turn into energy Glucose and Carbohydrates, with the bodies reserves lasting about 30-60 seconds. After those 30-60 seconds, the body will then look for the next simplest energy source, Fats.
ATP, Glucose, and Fats are the three main sources feeding the energy pathways our body uses to produce movement. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the principle energy source that the body produces, using the nutrients you ingest to create it. To feed these energy pathways, your nutrition needs to have enough of the nutrients you are using. And for obvious reasons, the quality of your food will dictate the efficacy your body can use it to produce the ATP needed to move.
Essentially, your body has no idea the different things you are putting in it. When you eat a piece of chicken, all your body recognizes is the proteins, fats, carbs, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that chicken provides. From those nutrients that your foods produce, your body uses them, breaks them down, divides them, and utilizes them for the various functions of your body. Everything is broken down to essential basic nutrients, and the biggest difference of your bodies efficiency to produce and use energy depends on the kinds of foods you eat. The body was made to digest natural sources. Foods with added chemicals, taken through preservation processes will get broken down, but the added energy needed to break it down makes your body expend other resources and makes it's efficiency decrease dramatically. This is why it is so important to eat that apple instead of a muffin, or eating a lean piece of fish, beef, or chicken than consuming processed protein sources. When you consume natural sources of nutrients, your body has all the tools finely tuned to digest them and use them. When planning a diet, making the choice to eat whole natural foods over processed, pre-made, or other "convenient" foods will make a world of difference on the energy levels you will have, the results from your workouts, and the progress you will see in your performances.
Preparing a truly healthy diet takes extra time to accomplish. Make the commitment and look to successful people to help teach techniques, tips, and tricks in developing good dieting habits!
How do you prepare your week to ensure a healthy diet? What struggles do you have in sticking with healthy eating? Comment to tell others who might need some help, share this post with some people who could use some help in creating a healthier lifestyle!
Every Day... A Little Stronger
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