What Happens When You Don’t Eat Properly for You Workouts

Tonight I had an experience in my training that usually doesn’t happen to me.  I gassed out early.  I’ve been training at Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts for nine (9) years.  My stamina is pretty high compared to most of my friends, and a little light sometimes compared to my training partners.  Tonight was not my best night, by far.

One of two things is happening in my body:  1) I’m coming down with a sinus infection or a cold.  My body might be telling me to prepare for illness by holding me back from giving my normal amount of energy.  OR . . . .

2) I haven’t eaten properly and given my body the nutrition it needs. 

My bet is #2.  Now you’re thinking, what?  You are a Health Coach.  You aren’t supposed to be eating unhealthy stuff.

Let me share something with you – I didn’t balloon up to 270 lbs by accident.  I ate my way there.  One of the things that encouraged my weight gain was emotional eating.  Food was my way of numbing the pain or stress I was feeling.  I didn’t drink but occasionally.  I’ve never done drugs.  Food was my drug of choice.

Personally I’ve been dealing with some things that I won’t share the details of, but let’s just say things came to a head on Friday and I’ve been stress eating since then – Lays potato chips, Pepperidge Farm cookies, Herr’s Whole grain pretzels, etc.  You get the idea.  Well I believe the horrible eating got me into a little trouble tonight.

The beginner Kick boxing class started with 10 minutes of shadow boxing – throwing techniques in the air – followed by five 3 minute rounds on the heavy bag and finish with two 3 minute rounds of strength training (squats, push-ups, abs).  By the third round on the bag I was telling the girls I was training with that I couldn’t catch my breath.  I was winded, my muscles were sore and unable to perform at their peak, and sweat was dripping off me burning my eyes.  I was a hot mess. 

I’ve been eating junk for 3 days and not sticking to my normal protein, veggies and fruit and guess what!!! My body let me know it.  Because I didn’t give it what it needed so that it can give me what I ask of it during my training, it rebelled.  My body said, “Hold da phone!  I’m not doin’ that!!!”

Our bodies are not made to eat the crap that is on the supermarket shelves these days.  I know I mentioned this before but I saw a recent post on Facebook about most of the foods on the supermarket shelves did not exist 100 years ago.  If we all ate like our ancestors we would be a great deal healthier as a society in general.  Most illnesses would go away.  People would be happier and healthier and the world would be a better place.

Guess what I’m going back to tomorrow?  Enough pity party for me and my body.  Back to work and get things done and have the energy to do them. 

Breakfast:  Healthy Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwich and a banana

(turkey bacon, mostly egg whites, low sodium cheese, low calorie-high fiber bread)

Lunch:   chicken breast, steamed vegetables, baked yam

Dinner:  London broil with green beans and mini red potatoes

Snack:   Strawberries and yogurt

               Sharp Cheese and almonds

This is my basic menu with slight variations now and then.  If I run out of bananas I’ll have orange juice.  I may have a bagel with cream cheese if I know I’m training to help bulk up on carbs to get me through the workout.  I might have organic dark chocolate as a snack.  But mostly I make healthy choices.  And before you get up in arms, yes that is REAL butter in the picture, very thin shavings for a little extra fat and flavor.  I’ll choose butter over margarine or any kind of spread any day and twice on Sunday.

Need help figuring out what works for you? What foods will energize you?  Having trouble giving up the bad foods?  Want support in making the right choices?  Let’s talk.  Contact me to schedule your free consultation.  http://www.newyouwellnessllc.com/contact-nancy-walters