Fitness is one of the most useful activities you could do to make your life better and more fulfilled. A proper and regular exercise routine is a sure way toward being healthy, energized, and self-confident, so make sure to build one that will suit your lifestyle preferences, as that is the safest way to make it work.
However, your diet is also important, especially if you’ve been meaning to take your exercise to a higher level. Many people tend to forego a healthy diet in favor of increased physical activity, thinking it’ll be enough. In reality, combining a proper workout routine with a diverse and sustainable meal plan is the way to go. Therefore, here is a mini-guide that will help you create a meal plan entirely compatible with your fitness goals:
You Don’t Need to Jump on a Hype Train
This one is of utmost importance because the diet industry is all around us, and every few years we get a new fad diet that everyone swears by. Even though such diets can be beneficial, it’s important to understand that you don’t need to follow them if you want to be successful at the gym.
Instead, take some time to learn about your dietary preferences, and build your meal plan that suits your lifestyle and exercise regimen.
Find Out Your Average Daily Calorie Needs
Determining your daily calorie needs is the sure way to build a proper dietary plan and exercise routine. Also, you should determine what’s the ideal outcome of your exercise, building muscle, or losing fat? Because knowing that will definitely point you in the right direction, but first you need to know what is it that you want from your diet and workout.
Losing fat will require you to be in a calorie deficit, however, building muscle means you’ll have to be in a calorie surplus in order to provide your body with enough fuel. There is no right or wrong, it’s totally up to you to decide which one works for you best.
Plants Are Your Friends
In order to eat a proper diet, make sure to consume whole foods, as they’re usually free of additives, meaning you’ll receive all the nutrients you need. Eating lean meat and other animal-based sources of protein is great, however, plants are truly your friends, as they’re more diverse and easy to prepare.
Peppers, tomatoes, beans, seeds, and nuts are amazing as they’re full of vitamins, minerals, and other valuable ingredients. Also, if you want some extra inspiration, you can check out complete plant-based meals from Satia Nutrition as that will be of great help, especially if you’re just starting out.
Additionally, feel free to add more fruits into your diet, mainly when feeling like snacking on something sweet and tasty.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough fluids is a must if you’re engaging in a workout, regardless of the intensity level. However, high-intensity workouts demand more fluids, so don’t forget to stay hydrated. Your meal plan should always consist of enough healthy beverages that are free from refined sugars and other artificial sweeteners.
Always drink 2-3 cups of water, two to three hours before exercise, and make sure to stay hydrated while you work out, to make up for lost fluids. If you want to indulge in other drinks, then it’s better to consume freshly squeezed juices and herbal teas instead of soft drinks and alcohol.
Your fitness goals can change, but your diet must be consistently healthy and beneficial to your well-being. In a case coming up with a perfect meal plan is challenging for you, feel free to consult a nutritionist that will help you by giving you useful advice and ideas to start with. Remember that asking for help is fine, as long as you follow the advice and use that to your best advantage.
