When most people begin {the New Year, or any time for that matter} to engage in a "dieting process," they think their first place to start is, "WHAT am I eating as oppose to WHY.
" Trainers commonly step outside their field of professional practice and discuss with clients what foods they should be eating, when, how much, how often, and dietary supplements including, but not limited to, vitamins, minerals, and sports supplements.
It is often difficult to find a nutritional practitioner whom practices the approach of sensible nutritional guidance AND does not maintain a dogmatic approach to guidance through his/her own perspective of tunnel vision.
This tends to be the reason why most people deal with these subjects with trainers.
However, there tends to be many risks involved when dealing with nutrition (food allergies, interactions, supplement overdose, etc.
) This is why the right professional is crucial.
I am not supporting the idea that you should NEVER discuss these subjects with a trainer! It is the RIGHT trainer that matters and can help your choices.
But, though it is food choice that is a big part of the success continuum, I feel that peeling back the onion's layer tends to be a more important step.
Emotions drive many of our choices but you must determine what FUNCTION your food choice serves.
Commonly, people reach for foods for the same reasons.
I refer to this as a function of F: Feeling, Fitness or Fun.
When we reach for food, we should be considering different concepts of the discipline of eating and not so much eating for the sake of, "It's time.
I'm hungry.
I deserve...
"X.
" Let's discuss these functions and define the aforementioned.
Feeling - Depression, anxiety, stress, and other feelings that cause us to feel as if we should reward ourselves for a function of emotional disposition.
Nourishment of the body, repair, regeneration, nutritional requirements and the like are mutually exclusive of emotional content THOUGH often intertwined.
Fitness - The act of incorporating sensible nutritional protocols, choices, supplements, nutrient timing and other factors, specifically chosen for their overall effects upon wellness, vitality, muscular repair, cardiovascular or other internal systems' health.
Fun - Exactly what it means! We choose meals, foods, snacks, drinks for the exclusive feeling of pleasure, fun, socializing or to break up our normal exercises of discipline.
A reward for concerted efforts and an escape to those choices that make us feel emotionally satisfied through food.
Now you have an idea of what a selection's origin is.
The next exercise in determining your food is to ask yourself important questions to determine the function of your choice.
WHY is a great place to start.
WHY am I eating this food? Am I preparing to fuel my body for an hour long Spin Class? Did I just finish my strength-training workout and require the quick absorption of vital nutrients that are going to expedite repair for my muscles? I'm going into a 4-hour board meeting and need the right foods to carry me through that long haul? Thursday is Date Night and I absolutely know that I am drinking wine and eating dessert after a long week of dietary discipline! THIS is what you must ask yourself and these situations is what you must consider BEFORE you even make a choice about WHAT KIND of food.
WHEN is also a great determination of function.
If dinner is going to be 5 hours from a meal choice, it may be best to sneak in another meal before dinner.
If SPIN class is at 9AM, I should eat prior to that class so I don't become lethargic during class.
OR, I should eat something light because I DO feel ill in class if I eat just before.
So, when will determine the nutrients you need and when you will need them to be available.
Trainers may just say, "Eat chicken.
" What if you can't stand chicken, are allergic, cannot digest chicken, or chicken is not something you choose?" Well, now we have a problem.
What if this choice is immediately after your workout? Is this optimal for vital repair, acceptable, or a last resort versus zero choice? What if you have no other nutritional choices after a workout? What if your time is limited? Then what? These are all the situations that a seasoned veteran can help you with and questions you must learn to ask yourself.
More importantly, a seasoned veteran can field the reasons as to WHY you are choosing what you choose, when you choose it, and for what reason.
Food is always an extension of emotion and knowing your triggers, pangs, weaknesses, schedules, and willingness is paramount in formulating a strategy for success.
So, find yourself a seasoned veteran.
Just remember, the reasons you realize fitness success are not sitting in your plate, it's sitting in the chair.
" Trainers commonly step outside their field of professional practice and discuss with clients what foods they should be eating, when, how much, how often, and dietary supplements including, but not limited to, vitamins, minerals, and sports supplements.
It is often difficult to find a nutritional practitioner whom practices the approach of sensible nutritional guidance AND does not maintain a dogmatic approach to guidance through his/her own perspective of tunnel vision.
This tends to be the reason why most people deal with these subjects with trainers.
However, there tends to be many risks involved when dealing with nutrition (food allergies, interactions, supplement overdose, etc.
) This is why the right professional is crucial.
I am not supporting the idea that you should NEVER discuss these subjects with a trainer! It is the RIGHT trainer that matters and can help your choices.
But, though it is food choice that is a big part of the success continuum, I feel that peeling back the onion's layer tends to be a more important step.
Emotions drive many of our choices but you must determine what FUNCTION your food choice serves.
Commonly, people reach for foods for the same reasons.
I refer to this as a function of F: Feeling, Fitness or Fun.
When we reach for food, we should be considering different concepts of the discipline of eating and not so much eating for the sake of, "It's time.
I'm hungry.
I deserve...
"X.
" Let's discuss these functions and define the aforementioned.
Feeling - Depression, anxiety, stress, and other feelings that cause us to feel as if we should reward ourselves for a function of emotional disposition.
Nourishment of the body, repair, regeneration, nutritional requirements and the like are mutually exclusive of emotional content THOUGH often intertwined.
Fitness - The act of incorporating sensible nutritional protocols, choices, supplements, nutrient timing and other factors, specifically chosen for their overall effects upon wellness, vitality, muscular repair, cardiovascular or other internal systems' health.
Fun - Exactly what it means! We choose meals, foods, snacks, drinks for the exclusive feeling of pleasure, fun, socializing or to break up our normal exercises of discipline.
A reward for concerted efforts and an escape to those choices that make us feel emotionally satisfied through food.
Now you have an idea of what a selection's origin is.
The next exercise in determining your food is to ask yourself important questions to determine the function of your choice.
WHY is a great place to start.
WHY am I eating this food? Am I preparing to fuel my body for an hour long Spin Class? Did I just finish my strength-training workout and require the quick absorption of vital nutrients that are going to expedite repair for my muscles? I'm going into a 4-hour board meeting and need the right foods to carry me through that long haul? Thursday is Date Night and I absolutely know that I am drinking wine and eating dessert after a long week of dietary discipline! THIS is what you must ask yourself and these situations is what you must consider BEFORE you even make a choice about WHAT KIND of food.
WHEN is also a great determination of function.
If dinner is going to be 5 hours from a meal choice, it may be best to sneak in another meal before dinner.
If SPIN class is at 9AM, I should eat prior to that class so I don't become lethargic during class.
OR, I should eat something light because I DO feel ill in class if I eat just before.
So, when will determine the nutrients you need and when you will need them to be available.
Trainers may just say, "Eat chicken.
" What if you can't stand chicken, are allergic, cannot digest chicken, or chicken is not something you choose?" Well, now we have a problem.
What if this choice is immediately after your workout? Is this optimal for vital repair, acceptable, or a last resort versus zero choice? What if you have no other nutritional choices after a workout? What if your time is limited? Then what? These are all the situations that a seasoned veteran can help you with and questions you must learn to ask yourself.
More importantly, a seasoned veteran can field the reasons as to WHY you are choosing what you choose, when you choose it, and for what reason.
Food is always an extension of emotion and knowing your triggers, pangs, weaknesses, schedules, and willingness is paramount in formulating a strategy for success.
So, find yourself a seasoned veteran.
Just remember, the reasons you realize fitness success are not sitting in your plate, it's sitting in the chair.