Are You Under-fueling?

Do you ever feel sluggish, tired, slow or unable to perform at your best during your workouts or competitions? Have you been trying to lose weight or lean out but struggling to make progress? Have you been trying hard in the gym to make some gains it's simply not working? If so, you may be under-fueling your body.

What is Under-fueling?

Under-fueling is when you are not consuming an adequate amount of calories to support your body's needs. Your needs are based on your activity level each day.  Under-fueling can have detrimental effects on your sports performance as an athlete, but it can also have deleterious effects on your overall health. Eating too little is what is making you feel sluggish, slow and tired. It is also what's hindering you from losing weight, building muscle and feeling energetic, strong and powerful! Under-fueling will result in a lack of energy, poor concentration, slower recovery time, increased risk of injury, and decreased performance.

If you have been following me for a while you know that fueling properly is essential to being the best athlete you can be. If you are new here-welcome-you will soon realize that optimal nutrition will make you a better, stronger, faster athlete. It will become your secret weapon.  Once you nail your nutrition you will have consistent energy to power through workouts, games, and competitions. You will also recover faster, build muscle more effectively and improve speed, power and endurance.  

The long term health consequences of under-fueling are well documented and perilous. When you don't eat to meet your needs, it will lead to hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, decreased bone density, increased risk of injury (ie stress fractures, muscle strains, ligament tears etc.), more frequent  illnesses and an increased risk of developing eating disorders.

It's crucial to ensure you are consuming enough calories to be in a positive energy balance. This is how you best support you daily activity level AND your overall health. Fueling is obviously important  before and after workouts but it's also important to fuel optimally throughout the day, each and every day.

Combining complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats at every meal and snack is the secret sauce;) Putting some thought into fueling and always making sure your nutrition reflects your activity level will take you further in your sport than any drill or additional training session will.

If you would like to talk further about your individual needs and determine a personalized plan for your body and your goals, reply to this email "FUEL" and let's chat. 

Now go fuel up and become the best, fastest, strongest and healthiest athlete you can be!

-Jenn