With Sports Nutrition, there are FIVE key areas to consider when developing a training program. A brief description is given then we dig deeper into the FOUR important criteria of a GOOD sports nutrition plan.
More details are available at http://visportsnutrition.ca
Limiting Factors
There are a large number of limiting factors that will determine how well a person will lose weight and gain muscle mass as a part of a training program. There are FIVE key areas to consider.
1. Genetics
There are numerous claims made by people who will argue they cannot be skinny or a good athlete. It is true that there are upper limits to what people can achieve.
Most people do not attempt to get to the upper limits of their potential. Anyone can improve their overall health, body composition and performance to some degree with some consistent effort.
2. Exercise
Physical activity as a limiting factor can easily be changed if a person has the desire. A person's daily activity will determine how their body will look. Someone who sits at a desk all day and then goes home to sit in front of a TV or computer will likely end up with a decrease in metabolism. This can cause fat gain, muscle loss and lifestyle-related diseases.
As a general rule, the number of steps a person takes in a given day can be used to determine their activity level - sedentary or active.
A sedentary (low activity) lifestyle would take less than 5,000 steps per day. Active lifestyles take 10,000 steps per day. If you add a few hours per week of high intensity exercise, real change in physical fitness and overall health is possible.
3. Physiology
There are times when results in overall health are difficult and it may require checking with a medical expert to determine if there are other causes.
4. Mindset
Mental attitude can make all the difference. It can determine whether or not a person sticks to a nutrition and exercise plan. Research has shown that a person is far more likely to succeed in their quest if they have a goal in mind.
5. Nutrition
Nutrition is the most important limiting factor. A healthy diet will promote fat loss and help feed muscles so they grow. When the body is not craving a nutrient it needs, recovery from intense exercise is shorter so exercise can be harder, longer and more frequent.
