Why Running Nutrition Matters
Let’s get real and reflect! Do you find yourself wondering:
Are you eating less and exercising more but still not seeing results? Do you drink caffeine all morning, yet still have an afternoon crash? Do you fall asleep while trying to put your kids to bed? Are you unhappy with how your body has changed even while being active? Are you an endurance athlete focused on your running plan, trying to figure out why you aren’t improving your speed or weight while training for a race?
All of these questions can be addressed by proper and individualized nutrition and strategic strength training.
How Implementing A Strategy With Running Nutrition Changed My Stride
Allow me to share a glimpse of my journey and how incorporating the strategies outlined below positively impacted my daily energy levels and contributed to significant improvements in my marathon times. As a marathon runner, I understand goals, intense training, and plain trying to find the time to get it all in. I’ve done the speed work, the long runs, and the harder training plans, but there was a time no matter what I did I could not get any faster. I was so frustrated, no matter how hard I trained, I ran the same marathon time over and over again. Seeing no improvement, I decided I needed to look beyond just running more miles to determine what else I could do.
Enter running nutrition paired with strength training! I had always focused on whole foods but didn’t realize how important the intake and mix of macros played a role in how I felt and performed. With just a few months of dialing in my nutrition, I took TWENTY-FIVE minutes off my marathon time in ONE race! That was just the beginning, I have continued to get stronger and faster and have now taken one hour and twenty-five minutes off of my marathon time. I am now running consistent sub-4 marathons and am less than two minutes away from The Boston Marathon Qualifying Time!
My success made me want to share these very simple strategies with EVERYONE! I became a certified macro coach so that I could. I am passionate about nutrition and helping others fuel their bodies on purpose! Whether you are a runner or just want the energy to keep up with your kids, nutrition matters. Nutrition is the foundation of overall health and well-being.
Why Nutrition Is Important For Everyone
- Energy and Vitality: Proper nutrition provides the essential nutrients needed to fuel our bodies and minds, giving us the energy and vitality to thrive in our daily lives.
- Disease Prevention: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
- Mental Health: Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health and cognitive function. Certain nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, have been linked to improved mood, cognition, and overall mental well-being. Some people find that running is beneficial for their mental health.
- Weight Management: Eating a nutritious diet can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity, which leads to a variety of health problems.
- Immune System Support: A well-rounded diet provides the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants necessary to support a strong immune system. Nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants and vitamins that support immune function. Running can
- Gut Health: A healthy diet rich in fiber and probiotics supports a diverse and balanced gut microbiome, which is crucial for digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health.
- Energy Replenishment: We need carbohydrates to restore energy levels. Running and other activities deplete glycogen stores in muscles.
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is crucial for optimal recovery. Water helps transport nutrients to cells and remove waste products, aiding in muscle recovery and overall performance. Most people do not drink enough water. You should drink at least half your body weight of water in ounces.
- Injury Prevention: A well-balanced diet can help reduce the risk of injury by providing the necessary nutrients for strong bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids play key roles in maintaining bone health and reducing inflammation.
- Strength Training: The right balance of macronutrients, including protein, will allow you to gain muscle, burn fat, and optimize your metabolism.
Nutrition is the cornerstone of good health for everyone, regardless of their activity level. By making informed food choices and prioritizing a balanced diet, you can optimize your health, prevent disease, and enhance your quality of life. Nutrition can help you meet your goals!
This week’s post is a guest post by Kristin McClendon.
Connect With Kristin
Unsure where to start on your running nutrition or overall wellness journey? I’d love to answer any questions you may have!
Shoot me an email: hello -at- kristinandsamcoaching dot com or you can find me – @Kristinandsamcoaching – on your preferred social platform!
Nutrition’s Role In Injury Rehabilitation
A quick note from Dr.Mims:
When it comes to rehabilitating an injury, nutrition plays a large role in the ability of tissues to adequately repair and the reduction of inflammation in the body. When an injury occurs, disuse or immobilization, muscle atrophy, reduced strength, and increased inflammatory and stress response often follow. As you are working through an injury, the demand for proper nutrition is high, to maximize return to play.
When working with a professional to rehabilitate an injury or improve recovery from your sport or activity, proper protein intake and a balanced macro-friendly diet are essential to achieve the fastest healing timeline. At Dynamic Spine and Sports Therapy, as we work with you to enhance mobility and strengthen areas of the body to provide proper stability, what you fuel your body with matters. When combined with effective rehabilitation, nutrition can make a big difference in recovery time. Not only does fueling your body properly help with mental and overall physical well-being, but it also strongly supports the rebuilding of muscle tissue, building lean muscle, maintaining that muscle mass even in the presence of injury, and decreasing inflammation and pain in the body.
