Nutrition and Fitness Paper

Nutrition and Fitness Paper

Willie Williams

Paradigms of Health

University of Phoenix

August 2, 2010

Almost everybody finds it difficult to arrange time to train. I find it is easier for me to exercise first thing in the morning. I prefer 4:30 a.m., since I have to be at work at 7:30. Being part of a family of four with 3rd child on the way, exercising on my time gives me more time for family. I currently work out five days a week Monday thru Friday, so I can spend the whole weekend with my family.

One of the new habits I would like to acquire to achieve optimum performance is to focus on post exercise food choices. Since carbohydrates are the primary source of fuel during intense activities and are also used during endurance activities, the restoration of muscle and liver glycogen (the body’s storage form of carbohydrates) stores is important to allow proper recovery. An adequate intake of carbohydrates and energy through the diet will optimize muscle glycogen storage during consecutive days of hard training, and delaying the intake of carbohydrates may reduce muscle glycogen storage and impair recovery (Lawrenson, 2007).

Foods considered "good" in nature are those that provide your body the proper nutrients it needs. I need to do better at selecting lean cuts of meat, plan more meals in advance, pay attention to portion size, eat slower, and minimize refined sugar and saturated fat intake. I need to maximize my fiber intake, and eat small complete meals (5-6) during the day.

I do well at eating lean meats; but all I do is eat chicken and beef. I need to be more adventurous and try other lean meats like: turkey, fish, ostrich, and buffalo. Preparation of lean meats is important to consider. Mahmoud (2008), “Baking any lean meat is the best choice as far as healthy foods is concerned; baked food comes first because baked food items are low in fat” (Food-And-Drink, para. 2).

The problem with many of us, when it comes to eating; is portion size....