| Many athletes do not understand how important the | | | | concentrating it may be a result of insufficient |
| nutritional balance of their diet is to their ability to | | | | carbohydrates. If you are experiencing either of these |
| compete. Even professional athletes sometimes don't | | | | things during your training session try eating healthy |
| realize the impact their eating habits can have on the | | | | carbohydrates throughout the day. Eating carbs at |
| success of their career. | | | | regular intervals helps to stabilize your blood sugar. |
| It is not uncommon for a bodybuilder to take severe | | | | Add fruit, vegetables and whole grains in limited |
| measures prior to a competition to lose weight fast to | | | | amounts during the day. |
| achieve a certain category for the event. This puts an | | | | More frequent illnesses: If your diet is not balanced and |
| incredible amount of stress on the body and may | | | | you are not getting sufficient nutrition, you will be more |
| actually reduce his strength in the long run. A certain | | | | susceptible to colds and infections. This will have a |
| nutritional balance is necessary to build muscle. One of | | | | negative impact on your workout routine. Make sure |
| the best ways to avoid developing bad eating habits | | | | the foods you are eating have adequate amounts of |
| as an athlete is to keep a record of exactly what you | | | | minerals and B-vitamins. Food variety is very important |
| eat and your caloric intake. In this way you can ensure | | | | to achieve this end. |
| that you attain the nutritional balance your body | | | | Difficulty increasing speed or time: If you are trying to |
| requires. | | | | step up your exercise routine and can't seem to get |
| Catherine Jackson in her book "Nutrition for the | | | | beyond a certain point, it may be that you are not |
| Recreational Athlete" suggests that a high-protein diet | | | | eating enough prior to your workout sessions. Try |
| can cause irritability and decreased stamina. This can | | | | eating a small serving of carbohydrates one hour prior |
| have a detrimental effect on an athlete's ability to train | | | | to your session. This may be all you need to reach |
| effectively and his or her career. Following the right | | | | your training goal. |
| food plan can keep this from happening. If you are | | | | Loss of ambition: If your motivation to exercise is |
| noticing any of the following symptoms when you are | | | | shrinking, chances are you are not taking proper care |
| training, it may be a result of an unbalanced diet. | | | | of your body. It is essential to eat enough and to get |
| Decreasing strength: Too little protein can have an | | | | enough sleep when participating in a rigorous training |
| impact on your ability to gain strength. Your source of | | | | program. Eat small meals throughout the day and get |
| protein should be from a variety of foods, such as egg | | | | plenty of sleep and see if that doesn't fire you up |
| whites, lean protein like chicken and tofu. The goal is to | | | | again. Many professional athletes eat something small |
| get enough protein in your diet and avoid unhealthy fat | | | | every two to three hours. Keeping your blood sugar |
| content. | | | | level on an even keel will help you keep up with the |
| Irritability and moodiness: Low blood sugar can cause | | | | demands you are placing on your body. |
| an individual to feel irritable. If you are having difficulty | | | | |