Nutrition
The most overlooked part of starting a training program is the importance of proper nutrition. Nutrition is the process of eating, digesting, and metabolizing the nutrients we get from food. Nutrients either provide energy or support growth and repair of our bodies. The 6 main nutrients are protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals.
For healthy eating we need to make sure none of the main nutrients are omitted from our daily diets, giving up all carbs or all fats is NOT good nutrition. Each provides the body with necessary pieces for proper functioning. Carbs are used for quick energy and fat is used for enduring (long, intense training sessions), while protein is used for rebuilding muscle, especially after strength training.
Water is another very important nutrient. We can only survive a few days without this nutrient, while other nutrient deficiencies may take weeks or even months to show up (think scurvy).
The main functions of water are to:
*Prevent dehydration thus impairing athletic endeavors as well as mental endeavors.
*Carry other nutrients and oxygen to the cells
*Remove cellular waste.
*Act as a lubricant and cushion around joints
*Maintain blood volume
*Help regulate body temperature.
Vitamins and minerals support many different functions in the body. The American Medical Association has endorsed vitamin and mineral supplementation for everyone, even healthy 8 individuals who practice good nutrition.
Some of the different functions vitamins and minerals support include:
*Accelerating metabolic reaction
*Maintain cellular balance
*Support bone growth
*Support immune systems
*Support for vision, skin, and reproductive systems
While this is a very brief overview of nutrition it highlights the importance of each component and the necessity of not giving any one group the boot from our diets.