Posted on November 06, 2018 by Jenny Cromack
So, instead of giving you just another recipe; this week I thought I’d give you some handy food tips & diet tips. You can put into action straight away to start seeing the results you’re after both in terms of gym performance and body composition.
Tip 1: Track
This one probably won’t come as a huge surprise, but tracking what you eat is one of the most beneficial habits you can develop in regards to achieving the body that you want. Simple phone apps like myfitness pal are a great way to start, and even have barcode scanners for most foods. The process can be a bit time consuming at first as you learn the ropes, but after a couple of weeks you’ll be able to track your daily calories in less than 5 minutes.
Tip 2: Measure
You might have heard the old saying that “if you’re not measuring it you’re not managing it,” which is super true when it comes to your weight and body composition. I recommend regularly weighing yourself as well as taking regular body fat measurements to get an accurate indication of your progress. This will allow you to adjust as and when required to make sure you’re hitting your goals.
Tip 3: Set yourself SMART goals
SMART is a nifty way of saying Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. So, instead of saying “I want to lose some weight,” which is a bit naff and vague, you can say “I want to lose 14lb (1 stone) in 3 months,” which is way more useful.
Tip 4: Eat more protein
I can almost guarantee that you’re not eating enough protein to support your training, very few people actually do. Yet protein is super important in helping you achieve the body you want. For one, it helps you feel fuller for longer, which should help you cut down on snacking. What’s more, it helps you build and repair your muscles, and since having more muscle means your body burns more calories, this can be a great way to lose body fat. Here are some great high protein recipes to have a go at:
Tip 5: Don’t be too hard on yourself
Look, everyone cheats occasionally, everyone has days when they forget to track or don’t quite eat as well as they could have. What’s important is to accept it, move on and come back ready the day after. It’s really easy to be too hard on yourself, beat yourself up and end up falling off the wagon completely. Show yourself some compassion, embrace the process and look to improve small amounts each week.
Follow these food and diet tips and you should be well on your way to success!