When it comes to fitness, most people put their entire focus on the training aspect of it:
Do this exercise. Follow that program. Use this technique to push yourself even more.
Don’t get me wrong, what you do in the gym matters. But it’s only one side of the fitness coin.
And the other side is nutrition – how you fuel yourself. Here is why proper nutrition is so vital for your goals.
The Common Mistake Many Fitness Enthusiasts Make
Many fitness enthusiasts, especially beginners, put a lot of attention, energy, and dedication toward training, but completely disregard their nutrition. I’m sure you’ve seen it (or maybe you’ve been guilty of this yourself):
Spending a good hour at the gym, training hard, doing all sorts of exercise, only to then hit up the local pizza place for a post-workout meal. Hey, they’ve earned it, right?
Well, not so much. You see, there’s an old saying that goes, You can’t out-train a bad diet And unlike most old ideas, this one is quite true.
We Are What We Eat
Sure, it might sound like a cliche, but it’s a fact. What we eat will undoubtedly have a profound effect on us. More specifically:
1) For our health.
It’s no secret that eating a healthier diet and maintaining normal body weight are two critical components of health and have been shown to help prevent diseases and conditions from developing later in life.
2) For body composition.
Body composition (the ratio of lean tissue to fat) is primarily determined by the quality of our diet and the number of calories we consume.
3) For athletic performance, well-being, and energy levels.
Proper nutrition is vital for athletic performance, which is why professional athletes place so much emphasis on their diets. Without adequate fuel (both quantity and quality), you will never make the most of each workout.
What’s more, quality nutrition elevates our sense of well-being and makes us happier and more energetic.
If Your Training Provides a Stimulus, Then Your Nutrition Is What Makes Change Possible
Think of it like this:
Your training causes stress and fatigue to the body – it disrupts homeostasis. You leave the gym weaker, more tired, and in a catabolic state (meaning, your body actively breaks down tissue at that point).
Then, once you get back home, eat, rest, and sleep, your body has the chance to repair itself and adapt to that stress (muscle growth, strength gain, etc.), so it can better handle it the next time around.
In other words, your training is what provides the stimulus. But it’s your nutrition that makes all of that possible (or impossible).
If you fuel yourself adequately, your body will have the energy and nutrients it needs to repair itself and grow stronger. Eat poorly, however, and your body won’t be able to recover adequately, and you won’t be able to improve over time, despite putting the effort in the gym.
