THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION

Sometimes we can underestimate the importance our diet plays in getting results!

I find it’s quite common to find regular exercise or eating well easier than the other. Yes, there are some people out there that seem to find both relatively easy but most of us we seem to struggle at one or the other.

I know for me training is not a problem. I can easily find ways to fit in my training and rarely go for too long without exercising. Whereas my nutrition is a different story, I find if I have a very specific goal to work towards I’m great although when the goal is simply maintenance I can easily go off track!

Why is this? Well I know when I exercise I feel great, I get an instant buzz from exercise, it’s like my little happy pill. So even though I might want to be lazy and miss a session I find that 99% of the time I’ll find a way to motivate myself and I’ll get out there and do it anyway. Why? Because I know how good I will feel afterwards.

Whereas my nutrition can be a struggle, I know what to eat and what makes me feel good although sometimes the pure pleasure of indulging wins.

This wouldn’t be too bad if it was just occasionally although when I have a few days in a row of including too many treats and basically just eating too much I don’t feel good. The problem is it normally takes a few days to realize how bad I do feel and by then the damage is done.

So why am I writing this? I wanted people to know I’m “normal”, for sure I may not miss many training sessions but that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle. Since I’ve been training for this marathon I’ve found my nutrition has most probably got worse instead of better. I’ve been so focused on following my training plan that I’ve let my nutrition slip a little. I might be running 50-60km a week but I don’t have the type of body that lets me eat whatever I want and get away with it. So as my training has got harder a lot more treats have crept in, you can try and justify it by telling yourself your training hard but at the end of the day if you are overeating, you will gain fat!!!

What I am also trying to get across is that it is important to have a goal and stick to that goal. If fat loss is your primary goal then you will need to make sure your nutrition is reflecting your goal, whereas if you are trying to run a marathon your nutrition needs to be focused on fueling yourself with GOOD quality carbs and providing your body with enough energy to train effectively.

When you try and mix different goals together, for example fat loss and training for a marathon you will end up doing pretty average at both. Focus on one goal and make that your priority!

So anyway I’ve kicked myself up the butt and cleaned up my nutrition, no more excuses (I really don’t need cake to make me run further, he, he!). So life may be hard at the moment and I’ve had no resemblance of a routine but I can make things work if I want to. My last trip was a good example of this, in two days I got offered carrot cake, lindt chocolate cake, chocolate coated macadamia nuts, toblerone (many, there were so many left over), connoissuer chocolate (to die for) icecream & I even had chocolate mints on my hotel room pillow! I managed to say no to all of it and packed all my own food and I'm feeling so much better for it!

I’ve been away for over a week now and tonight I actually get to spend a second night in the same town, yehaa, It’s so nice not to have to pack my bags for just one day. One more week to go and I’ll be home for nearly two weeks, bring on a routine and home cooked meals!!!

Hope everyone is going great & remember whatever your downfall may be even just a few small changes each week will help!

Cheers, Hilds

EMAIL : hilde@getactiveonline.com

Posted By Hilde on Friday 4th September 2009 @ 11:43:54

Updated : Saturday 5th September 2009 @ 21:29:00 | Words : 721 | Views : 36 | Comments : 2

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1).

and you still manage a smile while running a half marathon!! ha ha
Great pics, your arms are so lean and muscular! very nice!!

EMAIL : kate@wdsod.com.au

Posted By kate on Friday 4th September 2009 @ 12:57:00

2).

Hi Hilde,,
I've been so slack in congratulating you on completing your half marathon and in such an impressive time!!! In was out doing my 40 minute jog and was thinking of you when I thought my session was tough LOL.

Also a very belated happy birthday for last month. I know you had a ball.

This post rings very true for me, as you know. I keep remembering the words of another great trainer that I've worked with "you cant out-train poor nutrition". I always thought I just might be able to but realise now that she (Liz Nelson) was right.

Cheers

Magda

Posted By Magda on Saturday 5th September 2009 @ 21:29:00