“I don’t follow a strict diet and still perform every time.”
The expression we hear more often than not.
What we essentially need to understand is that by practicing good nutrition habits and more importantly, nutritional timing – we are optimising the body for peak performance.
Let’s use a true case as an example:
A professional motocross rider approached me for assistance, because his performance after every season was not up to his standard.
Upon assessing the athlete’s dietary and lifestyle habits, training routine and sleeping patterns, it was abundantly clear that manipulation was required.
After implementing a diet structured around his activity, emphasising on nutritional timing and rehydration – the rider was able to train for longer at a faster pace.
Additionally, once the tailor-made training program was implemented and the movements necessary for his discipline were executed correctly, another South African motocross rider was RENEWED.
What can we take away from this?
The athlete was playing a guessing game with his nutrition plan, and ultimately under-fueling for his training and competitions.
He also followed a program he was given by a friend, which included movements that weren’t beneficial to his progression.
Invest in a plan.
Invest in yourself.
Make improvement inevitable.
Nutrition is a critical part of health and development.
- Eating correctly will build a stronger immune system,
- improve your well-being and mood,
- sustain increased energy levels and
- the list goes on.
But what about for sport?
Ensuring adequate fueling is paramount for success in training and competition.
Following a proper nutrition strategy will set the stage for:
- Increased energy levels,
- Improved and sustained mental focus,
- Improved recovery,
- Improved mood and sense of well-being,
- Strengthened immune system,
- Delayed onset of fatigue,
- Improved body composition,
- Reduced injury potential,
- Optimal hydration – to replace lost fluids essential for thermoregulation, or the body’s ability to maintain its internal temperature.
If you are not consuming enough of the relevant macro and micro nutrients required, your body cannot recover, let alone perform at its peak.
Additionally, this would lead to an increased risk of injury and illness.
Poor nutrition will further lead to immune system suppression, prolonged recovery periods, hormonal imbalances and a significant decrease in output – all of which will lead to inadequate performance.