Training and Nutrition

In January I decided to step up my training in preparation for AKC 2. While I was training harder than ever I had my husband and some clients doing a Paleo Challenge. I was so busy developing and testing new recipes and ideas that I wasn't eating a balanced enough diet. I was also eating too many low glycemic index carbs and not getting the right fuel at the right time. I did the challenge with everyone as a way to get back on track after too many Christmas treats. In retrospect, I don't think that was the wisest idea. In "The Paleo Diet For Athletes" by Loen Cordain and Joe Friel I learned about how to properly fuel your body for hard training. You need to make sure that you are replacing all of the muscle glycogen stores, fats and protein after each workout so that you are prepared for the next one. As a group fitness instructor and trainer I have days where I teach 3 hours in a day and still do my own training. I am not the type of instructor or trainer to just stand and watch my participants and clients. By the end of a class or training session I am sweating just as much as they are. That can add up to 4 or more hours of training on some days. Light training days are 2 1/2 or 3 hours. That requires some serious caloric intake! If you are attempting to gain some weight, build muscle and strength then a Paleo induction is probably not the best thing for you. A Paleo diet, yes, but you need your fruits and sometimes potatoes and sweet potatoes for recovery. You need to experiment and do what works for you. I lost too much weight in January and was downright skinny. Last month I got very sick and lost even more weight. The strength in my upper body is now seriously lacking. I have only a few weeks left before I go for AKC 2 and I am really pushing for those gains. I have trouble when I eat too much at one
time. I need to eat smaller meals and several snacks throughout the day which requires proper meal planning to make sure I am getting the right nutrients at the right time. I have been adding to my meals and snacks lately which has been causing some discomfort but I have gone from 122 lbs to 129 lbs and my arms no longer look like sticks. I think I am on the right track and friends have assured me that my stomach will get used to the increased meal size eventually. Before, I wasn't even consuming enough calories to maintain let alone build muscle (although I was constantly eating). I calculated that I was burning over 2000 calories every day and only taking in around 1900. If I want to build muscle and strength I need to be consuming more than I am burning which means eating more and making sure that whatever I do eat is quality food at the right time. Timing is the key. More on that in my next post. Good luck and happy training!