Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of an athlete's career. Still, many athletes do not realize the importance of this or they're just simply clueless about the subject. Not knowing anything about nutrition will lead to bad habits that then result in an unsuccessful career. Take for instance bodybuilders who take weight loss to the extreme before a competition. Extreme weight loss produces a lot of stress on one's body and this can lead to a difficulty in increasing muscle mass and strength over the long-term. Nutrition simply is eating the right food, at the right amount, and at the right time. Knowing this is not enough, you also need to practice it. This entails you to strictly monitor and record your food and calorie intake and abide by nutritional principles.

Many misconceptions surround nutrition. Fairly recently, high protein diets have become popular. However, limiting yourself to eat only protein has its downsides. Catherine Jackson in her book "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete" maintains that a high-protein diet often causes irritability and lowers endurance in an individual. I'll list here some basic and valuable guidelines on nutrition to help you with your training.

Decreased strength - too little protein often results in decreased strength, which can make it very difficult to maintain a consistent workout program. Eating the right types of protein, and not relying solely on protein powders and protein bars to meet your daily requirements is essential for good health; eat lean proteins such as chicken, tofu and egg whites to make sure you're getting enough of this nutrient in your daily diet.

Being moody and irritable -A moody and irritable athlete won't be able to focus during training. Moodiness and Irritability is actually brought about by low blood sugar. This can be interpreted as a sign that you're not eating enough carbohydrates. If this is the case then you can stabilize your blood sugar level by eating small amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains throughout the day. Don't forget about protein as it also reduces your blood sugar absorption rate.

Getting sick more often - not eating a varied diet can make you prone to developing a cold or infection, which makes it very difficult for you to maintain a consistent workouts schedule. Getting a cold or catching a flu that doesn't go away could also be signs of a weakened immune system; make sure you're getting enough B-vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods to stay on the right track.

Reduced pace - If you think your pace is on a decline then you might not be getting enough energy before your workout. Eating carbohydrates at least one hour before training will give you the energy you need to bring you back to speed.

Lack of motivation - losing interest in working out is a surefire sign that you're not eating enough and getting enough rest. Make sure you're eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady level of energy; successful athletes typically consume a small 'meal' every 2-3 hours to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and sustain themselves through a training program.

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