Diet and Nutrition Myths while Exercising
A few common myths regarding diet in exercise enthusiasts. Discover how these myths might be holding you back from your Weight Training and Weight Loss Results.
Here are the Top 3 myths regarding Diet common in Exercisers.
1. If I exercise, it doesn't matter what I eat
This statement is not true. People say this because they know that exercise burns calories and since they have burned calories in their workouts they can eat anything and still not add fat. Simply not true!
The fact is that when you exercise, diet becomes even more important. This is because you now have to refuel your body { and mind } since you have lost a great amount of carbohydrate and protein reserves. Although you lose fat, you need to cut back on saturated fats as they cause heart related problems.
Lets take an example - Tom began his exercise program and since his gym trainer is a drill sergeant he trained with an intensity which shocked himself!
Now after workout all he does is rest and eat whatever he gets, which in his case turned out to be a big dinner, no breakfast and small lunch. Over that he is back to the gym for another drill.
Since his muscle and body fuel is already hitting low, he cannot train with similar intensity. He did not drink enough water and mild dehydration is creeping in. Mid-way through his workout he feels tired and feels that he needs to reduce his intensity as his sore body does let him work more either. Not to mention the same weights seem a lot heavier.
But if he had taken the time to eat properly, Tom would have been stronger, better fueled and able to train with more intensity workout after workout.
Related Sections.
I urge you to eat according to your goal. Discover more on proper eating in Muscle Building Nutrition and Weight Loss Nutrition Sections.
2. If I eat fat I will get fat
This statement is not true. You can safely eat up to 10% of your calories from saturated fast and eat up to 25% of your daily calories from fats without adding any.
The fact is the excess calories are fattening and not fat per se. These calories might come from carbohydrates or proteins as well.
In order to keep fat and caloric intake in perspective you need to know how much you really require to maintain weight, gain weight or lose weight. Again please read the relevant diet sections for more.
Remember, its not the small butter serving but the whole bag of potato chips that might be making you fat!
3. Eating immediately after workouts enhances fat storage
This statement is not true. Unless you provide your body with adequate amounts of quality nutrients it will not build lean muscle or lose stored body fat. Worse it might store more fat as you do not let it consume enough to maintain your organs functioning.
Also post-workout is the best time to build muscle and improve on your muscular fitness. And as you know that muscle will help you lose weight in the long run, you need to feed muscles properly.
The fact is that since your body has had an intense workout, it will fuel your muscles first before turning to fat storage. And since you be cutting calories in your other meals, you are bound to lose weight all day long.
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