*Enjoy our writing and images and please respect the intellectual property of the creator.*
©2010
All writing and photos by:
Kimberley, Can Fit Pro
FIS, PTS & LMI Instructor-Body Combat™ Body Jam ____________________________
Just Fitness
Fitness contributes to feelings of well being and keeps the muscles, heart and lungs functioning at an optimum level.
Post workout fuelHave you seen the commercials advertising chocolate milk as a post workout snack? (No doubt sponsored by the dairy council.) Well I've got a better idea: a dark chocolate fruit and nut bar.
During a workout the body gets depleted of carbohydrates (used as a major source of fuel). With the high use of oxygen during prolonged and intense exercise, free radicals can also form.
The recommended ratio to eat post workout to replace lost nutrients is 3:1 carbs to protein. The carbs replenish energy stores while the protein helps to repair and build muscle tissue.
A dark chocolate fruit and nut bar works on all counts. The dark chocolate contains antioxidants to help combat the free radicals while the fruit (and small amount of sugar) provides the carbs and the nuts provide the protein.
Love your body-exercise and eat well. A dark chocolate fruit and nut bar can be your friend.
Fueling for Fitness
In spite of all the bad press they have received, carbohydrates are your friends! Let me be more specific and say slow carbs are your friends.
Carbs consist of fruits, vegetables and grains. Basically any food that contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules is a carbohydrate (hence the name.)
Fruits and vegetables low on the glycemic index with their high fibre content along with whole grains are what I call slow carbs. Because they take longer to be broken down compared to refined products, I term them slow. They provide energy for activity and bodily processes (e.g. maintaining vital functions, digestion, etc.) along with various nutrients needed for health.
To put carbs as fuel into perspective think of them as kindling for a fire. They burn quickly providing instant energy. Fat is like a log-it is slow burning and provides energy for activities of low intensity.
So choose your carbs wisely and eat them for health and energy production.
The Components of Fitness
Watch this space...
