Eating the right things makes your body function better. Improper diets can have a negative effect on your workout routine, in either the results you see or your ability to do all the things you’d like to. Getting the most from exercise like the program Hip Hop Abs requires that you spend some time considering your diet, and changing out what doesn’t work.
Eating any kind of a generally healthy diet is a good idea for people who spend a lot of time exercising. But there are a few especially important parts for athletes and the active. Making sure that you choose a diet low in fats, low in refined sugars, and with sufficient protein for muscle building will keep you feeling and performing at the top of your game.
Eating too much fat does bad things to your body. Most people know this. But what they might not have considered is what it does to your exercise program. Eating a lot of fat can make your feel slow and heavy, and impede your workouts. You might even feel sick if you try to exercise after eating a high-fat meal. Avoid saturated fats in particular, because they are especially bad for you.
Eating refined sugar can cause sugar crashes. What happens is that the body gets a huge influx of sugar all at once, then takes it up very rapidly, and leaves you with low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can create low moods, low energy, and nausea in a lot of people. The best way to avoid this is to avoid eating a lot of refined sugar. Natural sugars do the same thing, but are often combined with fiber, such as in fruit, which lessens the effects.
Protein is essential to building new muscles and maintaining your body, but chances are good that if you live in America, you already get enough protein. However, double-checking isn’t a bad idea. Protein can be found in animal products, soy and other beans, nuts, and a few other things. Healthy protein is best achieved by eating poultry, fish, nuts, soy, or low-fat dairy products, though lean meats can be incorporated if you want.
There has been a lot of hype about taking extra protein in to fuel your workouts. The reality is that yes, you need more protein to exercise a lot than if you don’t. But most Americans are nowhere near protein-deficient, so if you eat a balanced diet, you should be fine. The addition of a bit more protein won’t hurt, either, but don’t overdo it. Athletes, like all people, will perform best on a balanced diet, not one exceptionally high in one nutrient or another.
Making sure that you get essential vitamins and minerals will help ensure that you stay healthy and keep working at top efficiency. You can take pills to get these items, but food sources are better for you. Eat a proper amount of vegetables and fruits, and you’ll be getting enough vitamins and minerals, too. Ask a doctor if you have concerns.
Cardio exercise like Hip Hop abs are good for you. But to make sure that you feel your best while doing them, proper nutrition is essential. Many people are amazed at how much better they feel and how much more progress they see when they take the time to overhaul their diets. Give it a try, and you’ll see that it’s worth it.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced habit of eating right is key to getting the most out of any workout routine whether it be hip hop abs or something else. Another home program that’s helped people all over the world get extremely fit in just 90 days is P90X by Tony Horton.