Goals. We all have different ones, whether it’s to get stronger in the gym and lift all the weights, to hitting PRs on our race times, to losing the pregnancy weight, or just a few pounds to boost our longevity.
Our goals are each different, and so are our bodies. This means we can’t follow the same plan as the person standing next to us. Different goals require different plans from training to eating to recovery.
Person A
This individual is training competitively. A mix of high volume, heavier weights, six days a week, some double sessions. They will need a much higher food intake -carbs especially- and adequate amounts of protein. Hydration will also need extra attention. Sodium and magnesium intake also should be cared for.
While abs are cool, worrying more about aesthetics than performance here could hinder progress in the gym. Eating ENOUGH food should really be the focus. Proper nutrition plays a huge role in performance AND recovery. It’s not always in training where progress is made but in the recovery.
This is not the time to cut to see those abs, and vascularity… Sometimes we feel faster the leaner we are, but energy levels usually dip.
I would also go ahead and put Ultra athletes and long distance folks under this umbrella. Fueling properly for those long runs on the road or trail is important if you don’t want to crash and burn.
This group should consider a nutrition coach. Hiring someone to map things out for you and make any changes when needed can be so beneficial, and you can focus more on training less on food.
Person B
This individual has developed a solid fitness routine and has been making better food choices as well as paying a little more attention to things like protein and hydration. Overall, they really want to take their fitness and physique to the next level.
Tracking macros is a great next step for this person. Tracking can serve as a great tool for dialing things in as far as amounts of protein, carbs and fats. Weighing and logging can be a great next habit on your journey.
This person can benefit a lot from having a nutrition coach. The accountability is great, and having someone do the calculations for the RIGHT balance of macros is helpful. Online calculators are rarely accurate.
Person C
This individual has never been fully conscious of what or how they eat, and is just getting started in their fitness routine. The goal here is to improve overall health and take off the pounds to increase longevity. Starting with small things -that compound into big changes- is huge.
Things like eliminating soda, candy, processed foods, fried/fast foods can be extremely beneficial to start. Eating whole, real foods from the earth, shopping the perimeter of the store, and changing the bad habits will lead to success and further goals in the end.
A nutrition coach may not be what’s needed just yet. Too much too fast can be frustrating and overwhelming. Learn about foods first, then fine tune. Keep expectations realistic, and sustainable.
In the end, ‘it depends…” is such a vague answer to what you should be doing, but it makes sense. The way you approach food, should be based on your journey and where you are on it. So, yep, it depends.
If you have any questions or just want to chat about how to best reach your goals, shoot me an email and we can set up a consultation, as our in-house nutrition coach!