So I started writing this piece today when Khalil (one of the Cheer coaches at USA) walks into the room and engages me in conversation about how some of the girls are not improving in their performance with their cheer routines, skills and tumbling.
We dug deep into and it all came back to nutrition - or lack thereof. I shared what I had written here and we decided right then, people just don't get the importance of nutrition! So pay attention and FINALLY learn what it is all about!
I get this all the time - "I don't get it - I try to workout but I don't have the energy and can't get results." That's when I ask - how is your nutrition? Typical feedback - "I think its good." You think? You THINK?? That's exactly the problem right there, you should KNOW whether or not your nutrition is helping you or keeping you away from your fitness goals... So in this article I'm going to lay it down for you.
Do you ever feel like this? You try to workout but you seem to lack the energy and muster to get through a simple 20 minute cardio routine?
And anything more intense? Forget it!
You see, your body simply cannot run at high performance when you are feeding it junk from fast food lanes that are high sugar and fat laden - so Listen UP!
Think about this for a second... a high performance sports car such as a Corvette needs the right high octane fuel. Put 87 octane in the tank and what happens? Its performance is compromised causing unneccesary wear and tear on the car and many other parts of the engine. Keep using this lower grade fuel and eventually you will have major issues with your engine that are very costly.
The same is true with the human body. Feed it with junk that offers no nutritional value and your body will become sluggish, tired, lack mental focus and suffer from the non existent nutrients or poor ingredients found in highly processed and junk foods.
Eventually it will break down completely!
This will cause an over weight and sore body that lacks energy and suffers muscular fatigue in which will cause you to give up completely.
Worse case scenario - the body will become susceptible to serious injuries or you will become sick and suffer from a major illness in which you will need to seek medical attention.
The truth is, your body is dependent on good quality nutrition to be able to handle your exercise or training regimen.
In fact, the more you workout or train - the more you need this high quality nutrition!
When you're placing higher demands on your body and don't give it the right nutrients found in protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats its needs, it will pay you back with a broken down, sick, tired and fat body - And I guarantee you will NEVER get the lean body you are desiring or improve in a sport you are "training" for.
And please, don't even get me started about the starving yourself thin crap! So you want a skinny, frail and again, broken down body - go for it, but not on my time!
Check this out - REAL ATHLETES know nutrition and the importance of eating right!
So if you are desiring to perform as an athlete does or have the look of an athlete or even compete! - Take the responsibility to EAT like an athlete!
Right here I am going to break it down for you some very easy to follow RULES to follow so that you get the most out of our workout program so that you will Build Lean Muscle.
No, not become the size of Arnold - LADIES I am talking to you here.
But to Burn Fat, Stay Healthy, Increase your energy and recover between workouts and your sporting events.
1. Eat Real Food! - Get Rid of the Fast Food, frozen dinners and highly processed foods. Eat chicken, eggs, fish, raw nuts, fruit, vegetables and eat these regularly every 3-4 hours throughout the day.
2. Eat a pre-workout Meal consisting of a good lean protein source and complex carbohydrates. Eat this 30-45 minutes before you train or before your competition. This does not need to be a heavy meal! Something light that will provide you with extra energy to go the distance and train your butt off! Personally, I have about 3 meals in me before I get to my workout for the day and then I use my supplement regimen as my pre-workout energy boost.
3. Eat a post -workout Meal consisting of quick digesting protein and simple carbohydrates. This truly is the ONLY time when simple sugars are ok to consume. You can keep it simple with a glass of chocolate milk! I choose to use a post-workout shake. What ever you use, get this into you within 30 minutes after you finish your training. Those who do this lose up to 300% more fat than those who don't. Plus, you are giving the body the valuable nutrients its starving for to start re-building muscle tissue and replenish glycogen stores it has burned up.
4. PARENTS! Stop making excuses! Plan your meals! Pre-cook and have healthy snacks available at all times. Our vending machine at the gym goes empty in a matter of hours sometime and its loaded with junk! The kids at USA Cheer are literally starving and of course they are... they are burning up every energy source they have within the first 45 minutes of their practice and I've seen these kids train for 2-3 hours at a time!! Bring healthy snacks for them!
5. Get a good nights rest! Ok, so this doesn't fit into nutrition here but listen up... your muscles recover and grow during rest. If you want your body to be ready for the next workout or competition, you had better allow it to have every advantage it can get of complete rest and that means LIGHTS OUT!
6. Supplements - YES! I am throwing these in here as my final word. Athletes use supplements and specifically they use Advocare! Google Advocare, do your own research. I have enough postings on here about Advocare - why? Because they WORK and if you want the best - whether for yourself or your child athlete, do yourself a favor and get more information today!
With that said, I am available for Nutritional consultations at Mayhem Fitness & Cross Training and we hold regular FREE Nutrition classes as well. Get in touch with me to find out when our next class is and stop complaining about how you or your child is not making the progress you want!
Give me 24 Days to prove this to you!
Committed to your success,
Sean "Mayhem" Murphy
