Nutrition
Good nutrition is the most important factor in achieving your health and fitness goals. What you eat directly affects your results in the gym or in your general day to day life. for a complimentary assessment please email me at fitkiwitrainer@hotmail.com
As a trainer I am often asked "what should I eat?".That is why it is important to assess your needs based on how YOUR body works and how it responds to food. No two bodies respond the same way so why settle for something designed for someone else?
Meals do not have to be complex or take hours to prepare. I regularly use a crockpot or slow cooker and I also shop in bulk for meat and vegetables. It is really easy to freeze by the portion and cook on an as-required basis.
The Role of Supplementation
Over the years I have tried many different supplements,some of which did nothing and some of which supported my needs whilst training. I usually recommend supplements based on their scientific backing not on the whim of a magazine advertisement or marketing hype. Very few supplements on the market today have reputable scientific research behind them so its a case of "buyer beware". Ask me before you go spending that hard earned cash! Supplements I personally use include Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) in the form of flax oil, fish oil, olive oil, and avocado,and a Branch Chain Amino Acid drink called *Xtend by Scivation which helps spare muscle tissue in times of calorie restriction and heavy training**
**Please check with your doctor or health professional before commencing any supplement regime, especially if you are on regular medication or have an underlying medical condition**
Protein Intake
Everyone responds to protein differently,which is why the current trend of high protein is not necessarily the way you should eat. Some people need to take in up to 2g per pound of lean muscle whereas as others require only 1.0-1.5g per lean pound. Contrary to what many in the nutritional field say, I believe the recommended daily allowance of 0.6g protein per 2.2 pounds is insufficient for most weight training athletes. For bodybuilders in particular, many consume vast amounts of protein in the hope that it will build more muscle but the truth is that it is carbohydrate that aids tissue growth alongside protein. That is why it is important to have balanced diets. True,some people will grow muscle on high protein and low carbohydrates,but others require a substantial amount of carbohydrate to build and maintain muscle tissue.
My own protein intake varies considerably across a training year. The minimum is about 100g per day,and the maximum about 150g, usually when getting close into a competition. I am not a big protein eater and have had to 'train' myself to eat what my body needs to grow and maintain muscle tissue. To get the higher quantity of protein into my body, I often resort to a protein powder, purely for convenience. My personal favorite is *AST VP2 in chocolate and vanilla, which is a whey isolate more suited to 'sensitive' stomachs like my own. But protein powders are not necessary for everyone-do not be coaxed into taking one if you prefer whole food.
*This is courtesy of bodybuilding.com