Health Fitness Nutrition

Like most things in life, there needs to be a balance between certain things and nutrition and diet and exercise are no exception. In order to get the fullest benefit from a diet and weight loss program, there needs to be a delicate balance. Why is this so critical?

There are a couple of reasons why a balance between diet and exercise is so important. It is conceivable that, despite being on a rigorous diet and nutrition plan along with eating less, that there isn’t any weight loss. How could that be?

Weight loss is determined by how many calories are taken in and how many calories are burned up. If you have recently embarked on a healthy, low calorie, nutritional diet and have reduced the number of calories that are being taken in each day but still you are not losing any weight, then you are taking in the same number of calories that are being burnt up.

You may be on a perfect diet, but the number of calories that are being burned up needs to be increased and this is done through vigorous exercise. The number of calories eaten must be reduced and the number that is burned up must be increased. It is as simple as that; in order to lose weigh, more calories need to be lost than are taken in.

It is important to realize that weight loss is not the only factor but the percentage of fat and body mass that must also be considered. Since muscle is more dense than fat it is also heavier. Therefore, if you are working out hard and your weight is not dropping, it is possible that your muscle is replacing fat causing the total weight not to reflect any decreases. However, don’t be discouraged because you are becoming healthier by not only reducing your fat and lowering your risk of getting diabetes and cancer.

Choosing the Right Foods to Eat Before and After a Workout

One aspect that is many times overlooked in the workout process is what should be eaten before and after a workout. Does this really matter?

Food is very important in the workout process because it supplies the energy that is necessary to be able to workout. Certainly, no one wants to fill their stomach right before working out so what is the correct procedure?

Eating too much directly before working out is not a good idea and may lead to sluggishness, cramps or an upset stomach. Working out hungry is not advisable either. Without food, the blood sugars will become low and the energy level will drop. Actually, a small meal will promote fat burning during a workout.

Eating Before a Workout

If a large meal is eaten before a workout, then it is recommended that exercise should be delayed for about four hours. However, if a smaller meal is eaten, then the span only needs to be about two hours.

Before a workout, the preferred foods to be eaten are the ones that contain carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, breads and pastas. Proteins don’t need to be avoided but don’t over indulge in them either. If you feel hungry before a workout, it is fine to eat a small snack.

Eating After a Workout

Eating after a workout is just as important as before but after working out a meal should be eaten within two hours. Your body and muscles have been put under a great deal of stress and need to be repaired. Healthy foods like proteins, fruits and vegetables or grains can supply the much needed fuel to repair them.

Don’t forget about water, it is important to drink water to re-hydrate. Drink a glass of water before the workout and then another one after one has been completed.

Staying in Shape

Getting into shape is not a one time occurrence or something that is done for a while and then is stopped. Getting into shape and staying in shape will be a lifelong event. Therefore, a consistent, regular, steady workout schedule needs to be developed and followed. Don’t overdo your exercise program at first so that the risk of burning out is avoided.