We are what we eat. All those stories that you heard from people getting, and staying, in shape are always a two-front battle. One is in the gym or generally working out each muscle group and whatnot. The other one is in the kitchen. Dietary needs need to drastically change when you want to get fit and get to your prime physique. While many dread such steps, or go to extreme measures, the truth is that food for getting fit can be just as tasty as any other. It takes a bit of getting used to, but the most important step is getting started.
1. Be water, my friend
The famous words of Bruce Lee may not have been directly intended for our diet, but the principle still applies. Getting and staying hydrated makes your body work like clockwork. We are about 80%, so the moment you feel thirst, you are already dehydrated, and it’s your body’s way of letting you know. Eliminate all sugary and soda drinks from your intake and substitute them with water to help you along your path of getting fit. Hydration is the keyword here, and it will do wonders for your health.
2. No to excessive, yes to moderate
We all probably heard this in one way or another. X type of food is harmful, don’t eat it at all. Or eat less of X, Y and Z, or better yet stop eating altogether. While we jest a bit, these are harmful stereotypes that have been misinterpreted. Yes, only eating carbs and fatty food won’t get you on the covers of any fitness magazine, but the secret here is to eat them in moderation and with all other food types.
Our body needs all sorts of minerals and goods to function, and they can only come in the form of certain food. Moderating your intake and, not going overboard or mono eating is what you should focus on. Having regular, quality and premium meat delivery, coupled with vegetables, makes for a complete meal. Carbs are in nuts and seeds, so substitute that for your snacks. Fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, etc., are perfect for natural sugar intake. A bit of adjustment goes a long way.
3. Use that energy
Think of your weight loss and road to being fit as a mathematical equation. If you are burning/using more than you are intaking, then you will lose weight, it’s as simple as that. Eating right still means that you are intaking calories. If you slouch around on the couch all day, all that food effort will go to waste. As mentioned above, it’s a two-front war, and the other one involves a bit of physical activity.
Mind and body need to be in harmony, so any form of physical activity is welcome. Walking, bicycling, running, aerobics, anything is better than none. Just as with your food intake, start small and work upwards. Today you may have walked a mile, but tomorrow you can walk a mile and some more and then continue to increase onward.
4. All meals are equally important
“I’m in a rush, so I’ll skip breakfast!” This is the biggest mistake you can make. Our bodies don’t “get” why we are meal skipping, they only know how to keep us going. When you skip a meal, your body notices the lack of food, and then once you get super-hungry, it will store anything it can get because a meal skip can happen again. But, if you eat regularly with three meals or five smaller ones, then your body gets used to it and knows that nutrition is coming and there is no need to hoard.
There is no time like today and the present! Getting on with any change requires mental fortitude, and we congratulate you for finding that and motivating yourself. Day by day, you will soon be able to see the fruits of your labour. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
