07 April 2014

Food and exercise

Food. An important part of our lives. As someone said, Eat to Live not Live to Eat.
For fitness fanatics, food becomes a BIG part of their lives. Some become obsessive about what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat to the point that no one knows what to cook for them..

Do I see some of you nodding in agreement? I have gone through these phases myself!

A dietitian is the best person to make a good diet plan so make sure you inform her (or him) about your routine, preferences, allergies (if any). This means a better chance of adhering to the diet plan. There are many who spew virtues of consuming protein supplements.The images of bulging biceps and toned bodies tempt us into taking up such high protein diets.  Here is an article from Spark People that gives detailed information. However such protein supplements should be taken only under advice from an expert.



While those trying to lose weight will consider food to be an anathema, it IS required for sustenance, energy and survival. In our zeal, some of us exercise and simply avoid eating to try to lose weight. Contrary as it may sound. eating after a bout of intense exercise actually will help! 

Whoa there... Yessss, you read it right. For a period of up to two hours post-exercise, our body uses food that we eat to replenish energy exhausted from muscles and will not be stored as fat. This phenomenon is referred to by many names one of which is the 'carbohydrate window'.

Burgers, fries
Photo courtesy @puneribaker



Here is an article that explains this amazing phenomenon. Read it and eat guilt-free after  exercising.  

Some experts advice those trying to lose weight to have early dinner and to avoid eating sweet foods after 4PM. Its got something to do with exhausting storage of the absorbed nutrients hence everything additional that is absorbed thereafter gets stored as fat. Yet another suggestion for this group of people is to reduce portion size and not what you eat. Simply put it means eat less of whatever you are eating. 

Lets see if I these tips make any difference to what my weighing scale says..

Cheers!

Disclaimer: All suggestions are general in nature. Readers are advised to exercise caution before implementing them and seek expert advise about what is suitable for their specific needs.  

5 comments:

Jaimie Ramsey said...

I didn't know that about eating right after exercise to replenish energy used by the muscles. Good to know!

I try to drink a lot of water and eat a well-balanced diet, and not too much junk food. I've been at a healthy weight my whole life (except when I was a tad underweight!).

Stopping by from the A to Z! Great idea for a challenge theme.

Michelle said...

Such an informative post, and something I will no doubt share with a few friends of mine who are dieting. Thank you.
http://thewayofwytch.wordpress.com/

Archana said...

Thank you Michelle, Jaimie.

Ida Thought said...

It's the late night snacks that are to resist around here... I have had good results when ate my largest meal of the day after a workout

Archana said...

Thanks for sharing your experience Ida.