Fuel

    Of course nutrition is extremely important in any healthy lifestyle. We must eat well all the time, avoiding temptations to go astray from our plan. But how does your diet directly effect you workouts? By directly I mean within an hour on either end of the actual workout itself. When you break things down into their simplest terms, your body is a machine. The average person uses their body for nothing more than a capsule in which to live, a place for their soul to exist until the body has reached it expiration date. An athlete is different. An athlete asks much more of their body, it is not just a capsule, it is a tool. It is a machine. It is a machine with an incredible capacity for work, and endurance. I mean, your car doesn't get faster the more you drive it quickly. Your truck doesn't get stronger the more heavy loads that you pull. You body does, however, increase it's ability to do more work, when you work more. So just as you must fuel your car, you must fuel your body. It is very important to fuel it correctly before and especially after a workout. Especially a workout as strenuous as a Bear Fitness WOD. More importantly than any type of food, water is the single most imperative ingredient. Make sure you drink plenty of water before, have some for during the WOD, and drink plenty afterward. It is hot and you will be working your ass off. Besides, heat stroke is no fun.




    So you are planning on hitting a Bear WOD later this evening. What should you eat to prepare yourself for the torture that awaits you?  Well pre-workout eating shouldn't deviate from your normal Primal goodness much really.  Although, adding a little extra fat to a meal a fews hours before a WOD can be helpful for a little extra energy. You body burns fats as fuel as you work. Make sure the fats you consume come from healthy sources though, look to meat, nuts, and some fatty plants like avacados. But when it comes down to the final hour or two before your workout keep it light. I usually reach for fruit or something similarly easy to digest. Working out on an empty stomach sucks, mostly because it's annoying to have the distraction of hunger pangs. It's also annoying when you run out of gas long before the WOD is through. you must maintain an adequate supply of food all the time, and your body will have to fuel it needs when you ask you body to go into overdrive and really get some work done. Fuel the machine comrades!

    So the time has come to head out to the park, swing some iron, and crank out a great workout. Forget food. You don't want to be eating this close to go time. But I will revisit the importance of water once again. We are located in hot, muggy south Florida. It's gets downright beastly hot here in the summertime, and we aren't going to let that slow us down are we? I didn't think so. But it doesn't mean we aren't going to play it safe. Bring alot of water! Drink alot of it too, just in small helpings. You don't want to slam tons of water then go wide open in a set of snatches. You are asking for a cramp. Just make sure you make plenty of pit stops at the water jug. Oh, and bring water, not some commercial, over marketed bottle of sugar and sodium. Save that for the actors with the multicolored sweat stains in all those silly commercials. We are humans, we evolved drinking water, not sugar juices. Drink the real stuff.

    Now the torture is done. You have conquered the beast of burden that stood between you and your well earned rest. Most people can think of a million reasons to reward themselves for silly little insignificant accomplishments. You, on the other hand, earn your rest. You earn every little reward you allow yourself. Now it's time for the reward. You should consume a protein dense meal as soon as possible after your workout. Within an hour is best. Reach for your big, full sized meal at this point. Plenty of meat, vegetables, and if you are on a diet that allows it, dairy. Nutrient dense is the name of the game. Refuel! Your muscles have been very heavily taxes and their fibers are damaged. This is a normal part of exercise, it's how our muscles strengthen and grow. Those tired, war torn muscles need protein to repair themselves, as well as to adapt. Our muscles adapt to strenuous exercise by strengthening and growing to accommodate the increased load placed upon them. Lets make sure they have tho building blocks they need to repair and strengthen post workout. This is all part of our Path, the work, the food, and the rest. Rest is a big part of the post WOD plan. enjoy a nice leisurely remainder of your day. You earned it, and you body needs it. Sleep is also vital, your body gets alot of repair work done while you sleep, so don't deny it the time it needs to recharge.

    So the equation is a simple one. Eat well all the time, make sure your body is well fueled. Drink lots of water! I cannot stress this enough, it is vital! And refuel the machine with a nutrient dense, protein rich meal within an hour post workout. I am not against protein shakes and the like, but save the supplements for the wusses that need them. We are Bears, we don't need any phony additives made in a lab. That said, make sure you look for a protein isolate with as little extra crap in it as possible. I personally go straight for the real deal, actual meat, post workout as it is a better source of natural, usable protein. I understand that a shake is convenient though, so just keep in mind that the simplest is often the best. Fuel your machine, focus your mind, and DRINK LOTS OF WATER! You will be set for success. This is the Path to Mighty Bear Strength!