Creating a Relationship that Counts - Exercise and Eating

Have you ever felt as if you were fighting a losing battle with your workouts - thinking that no matter what you do, you are not losing weight?  Unfortunately, there is an all-too-common culprit hi-jacking your efforts in the gym!  This culprit is...your eating habits!  It is important to understand the relationship between your exercise routine and what you eat, because they are not mutually exclusive.  Although this is not the only reason you may not see the results you want, it can be a large part of the cause.

Eating plays just as important a role (if not more important, as argued by some) in your level of health and physical shape as exercise does.  Whether we like it or not, our bodies were created to be fueled with lots of fruits and veggies, an area where our diets tend to be sadly lacking.  Our bodies were not meant to subsist primarily on meat and grain with a few "green things" here and there.  We are not at our optimal level of performance when we eat that way.  Incorporating more fruits and vegetables not only leads us to an optimal level of performance, but also increases weight loss (Go figure!  It really is just like we've always been told!)

There are a few ways you can check to see if your diet is inhibiting your performance and weight loss:

1. Do you get 7-11 servings of fruits and veggies daily?  (A single serving is about the size of your fist).

2. Do you eat out frequently?  This gives you much less control over the ingredients in your meals.

3. If you are eating at home frequently, are you preparing balanced meals for yourself? (Taking into account the proper amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates).

4. When you cook your own meals, can you read and understand the ingredient list for what you make?  If not, you may be preparing too many "processed" foods that do contribute to weight gain.

Exercise and eating depend upon one another for maximal results in health.  If you do not eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, you will not have the energy for peak performance during your workouts.  (I'd also venture to say that if most of your carbohydrates are coming from grains, you probably feel sluggish and tired during the day also.)  If you do not exercise, you are not utilizing the good nutrition that you do get, since most individuals have sedentary jobs.

If you see that your diet is lacking, here are a few suggestions to help you get started with positive changes:

1. Eat fruits and veggies for snacks.

2. Cook two different vegetables to go along with main dish for dinner instead of cooking a grain.

3. Try to avoid buying chips or granola bars for snacks, but buy fruits and veggies instead so your refrigerator is stocked with healthier options.

As you begin to incorporate more fruits and veggies in your diet, you will see some positive changes in your body and the caliber of your workouts.  Health is a journey, not a destination; it is important to be diligent and proactive in preserving the health we have!

If you are interested in some further reading, the following is a link to an article regarding the benefits of positive dietary changes:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/opinion/sunday/debunking-the-hunter-gatherer-workout.html?_r=0