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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tips to Build Muscle with the Help of Nutrition

By Ricardo d Argence

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of an athlete's career. Still, many athletes do not realize the importance of this or they're just simply clueless about the subject. Not knowing anything about nutrition will lead to bad habits that then result in an unsuccessful career.

Too often, for example, a bodybuilder will take extreme measures to lose weight prior to a competition. In the process, they try to lose weight too fast and put undue stress on their body and health. This may actually be keeping them from reaching their goal, rather than helping them. Sufficient nutrients are essential to building and maintaining muscle and the best way to do this is to avoid developing bad habits. Having a nutritional plan in place and keeping track of what you eat and how much can help you get back on track.

The book "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete" states that an exclusive high-protein diet negatively affects an athlete's training and career. Catherine Jackson, the book's author, explains that eating purely protein for a prolonged period often causes irritability and lowers stamina. This can be remedied by initially consuming adequate amounts of calories. ou can avoid the pitfalls of poor nutrition by making sure you're not experiencing any of the following throughout your training program:

Decreasing strength: Too little protein can have an impact on your ability to gain strength. Your source of protein should be from a variety of foods, such as egg whites, lean protein like chicken and tofu. The goal is to get enough protein in your diet and avoid unhealthy fat content.

Edgy and Irritable: Irritability is one of the hallmarks of low blood sugar. If you are finding it difficult to concentrate and focus it may be a result of not eating enough carbohydrates consistently. In order to stabilize blood sugar it is necessary to eat at evenly space times throughout the day. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains but eat small portions.

Increase in sick days - Not eating a varied diet can make you prone to developing a cold or infection, which makes it very difficult for you to maintain a consistent workouts schedule. Make sure you're getting enough B-vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods to stay on the right track.

Reduced pace - If you've been focused on increasing endurance but can't get past your usual times on the treadmill or during your sprint sessions, you may not be fueling up or eating before your workout. Eat just a small amount of carbohydrate 1 hour before training. This will give you the fuel you need especially if you are training for speed.

No Ambition: If you are losing your desire and interest in your training program, it may be because of the poor diet you are feeding your body. Your body needs ample calories and nutrients to thrive under an intense training program. You may need to eat several small meals throughout the day and get an extra hour or two of sleep. Multiple small meals will help keep your blood sugar level at a consistent level. Sufficient sleep is needed to both rest your body and give it a chance to repair itself. - 17273

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