Nutrition is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. But what is the big deal about dieting? How should you approach it?
On my Facebook page and Instagram account, I frequently share posts on dieting, clean eating and healthy meal ideas. I do so because I believe that a healthy intake is not an option. If you want to improve the quality of your life, you have to keep an eye on your intake!
[Tweet “To improve the quality of your life, you have to keep an eye on your intake! #nutrition #diet”]
That said, there is a major difference between health, clean eating and fitness competition diet. I can imagine that those who see what I eat and its amount might get a little bit confused. Isn’t it only for bodybuilders?!?
And the answer is no! A normal person’s diet should also be clean. It is not because you do not have to drop your body fat percentage to the minimum to go on stage that you are to live a life of immediate gratification.
Stop rewarding yourself with food. You are not a dog!
First of all, it starts with knowing the concept of macros:
- what they are;
- what they represent in your diet and;
- how to acquire right amount of them.
Macros are calculated, among other things, based on the calories one burns in their daily activities. Athletes and office workers have different needs because of the way they use their energy. If they combine both activities, like me, it is yet another thing. And so it goes…
[Tweet “Your calorie expenditure influences your intake. #nutrition #diet”]
I am not going to advance much in terms of how much macros one should include in their diet because it is not the job of a Personal Trainer but of a nutritionist. As a CPT, I can provide you advice that will help you improve the quality of your nutrition. Besides, the macros also vary a lot from person to person. There is no one-size fits all in terms of intake.
Anyways, there are very good sites where you can read about macros, including inputing your intake to check your general performance. Two sites/apps that I have used myself are:
- My Fitness Pal
- Calorie Count
One frequent misconception is that you can limit the damage of a bad diet by training it off at the gym. And if you also believed in that, I am sorry to inform you that it is way far from the truth.
If you are not cleaning up your diet, you are not going to be leaning out.
Maybe you will say that life is too short; that it is just one doughnut; that you do not do it every day etc. And I am not disagreeing with you. However, the next time that feel like going “naughty” with your intake, try to think for a second on the consequences. What would be the impact of that meal in your progress? Is it still worth it? Will you be getting rid of that extra pound as fast as you chew it in? What about the sacrifices you have made so far?
[Tweet “If you are not cleaning up your #diet, you are not going to be leaning out. #nutrition”]
It is not only about how much you weight. The quality of the food you eat will reflect on your health as well. Processed foods and sugar are among the main causes of inflammation. Prevention is the best way to stay healthy and fit for life.
Take a deep breath, drink some water (many times, it is all that it takes to forget that insatiable crave) and ask yourself it again. I am almost sure that the answer is going to be much different. 😉
[Tweet “Stop rewarding yourself with food. You are not a dog! #diet #nutrition”]
You are way much more worth it than you may think now.
With this blog I am joining the following link parties:
Stay strong!
#DebbieinShape
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Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Debbieinshape/ (em português)
Update May 26, 2015: This blog was originally written in December 2012. Back then I used to participate in Bikini competitions with IFBB. Since then a lot has changed, including me becoming a Certified Personal Trainer in Belgium.