Ok, you have started a great fitness program like P90X, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs, Slim In 6, etc.
You are ready to make a big change with your body.
BUT...
What are you eating?
If you have some pounds to shed a little or a lot, the bottom line is the same. In order for your fitness program to work, rather you are working out at home... or in a gym with a personal trainer... you have to eat healthy. I know, it does not seem fair because we are so used to the convenience of eating fast food, but we have to do it...all of us!
When I started working out, I had the P90X nutrition guide to help me and it is excellent. But sometimes we need a little extra help. It is hard to make the transition from junk food and eating out to cooking healthy at home. Not to say you can't eat healthy out, but I think if you are more hands on with your foods you learn more quicker and make better choices.
You have to make sure that you are taking in enough food too. I don't know how many times people have asked me for advice and some of them just don't understand how they are not losing weight because they are working out so hard 5 days a week and only eat 1200 calories.
You are starving yourself! Your body should never go without the proper amount of calories. For example if you are working out with a program like P90X, you should always take in a minimum of 1800 calories.
It is do able even if you are a working mom and always on the go. No, not from 100 calorie packs. Everyone needs to eat 6 meals a day. Three regular and healthy snacks in between. This is how the body stays fueled all day. Baggies are my friend : ) Nuts, fruits, veggies...whatever it takes. You gotta get those in between healthy snacks in there if you are working out especially.
You need protein, Carbs, and fat...yes fat. These are the three macro nutrients. They all have a purpose for making energy in your body function. That does not mean go buy chips cause you need fat. There are good fats and bad fats.
I am talking the fats from nuts, avocados, fish, certain oils like olive, etc. That is the ticket. Stay away from anything that has trans fat. And keep saturated fats at a low. Look at the labels on foods. If something has any hydrogenated oils, that is a form of trans fat. The FDA only requires a label to list it as trans fat if it has more than 0.5 grams.
So no trans fat may not always be the case. You add a couple or more serving sizes together and you are talking not a low fat food.
When working out, you want to fuel the body with carbs pre workout and build those muscles and bones back up post workout with some protein. If you are a dairy lover, low fat chocolate milk is a great inexpensive after workout snack. Some yogurt topped with a little nuts and berries is a nice before snack.
Try and have a breakfast that includes all three macro nutrients. Do not skip breakfast! Your body has not been fueled for most likely more than 8 hours. It is while you are sleeping that your body does most of its repair work. I will put it this way, if you get up in the morning and your car is out of gas and you try to make it go...what happens? Nothing! Your body feels the same way. If you don't breakfast, by lunchtime when you eat, possibly 80% of what you eat may be stored as fat. It is called survival or starvation mode. Even if you are not a breakfast eater, try to get something in your tummy within an hour or so after hopping out of bed.
I am not a perfect or totally clean eater, but I do generally stay in the to three tiers of Michi's Ladder. I get great results, but I am sure if I ate even cleaner I would see even better results. Someday...maybe : )
This is part one of my nutrition tips. The next time I will talk protein,carbs,and I will give you my favorite healthy snacks list more in detail.If anyone would like to know more about Michi's Ladder, you can email me or join Team Beachbody for free and get a copy. http://www.beachbodycoach.com/artistmom4 (click join and then try for free)
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