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Four Ways to Fuel Your Body Like a Professional Athlete

Professional athletes have the best trainers in the world telling them how to fuel their body effectively. They are professional athletes for a reason and if you want to improve your workouts and get the most you can from each workout, there is no reason why you cannot fuel your body just as they do. Although you may not be trying out for the Olympics anytime soon, following these tips can leave you feeling more energized and improve your workout performance.

Consuming the Right Amount of Carbs

When doing any form of exercise, the body uses carbohydrates as its main source of energy. Therefore, it is only right that professional athletes such as sprint runners like to stock up on carbs and eat these as their main food source throughout the day. That being said, many professional athletes such as endurance athletes are now consuming less carbs and more fat, following diets such as the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet is not just designed to help you lose weight, it can also boost the performance of many athletes, such as long-distance cyclists and marathon runners. This diet is about consuming a lot of fats which the body then uses as its main form of energy. It then allows the body to go into a ketosis state which helps to get rid of excess weight, great for both professional athletes and anybody wanting to shift some stubborn weight. 

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Many professional athletes weigh themselves before and after workouts to make certain that they are hydrating themselves enough. Water is the first choice, as it has many benefits for the body, but if they are prone to sweating a lot or are dealing with cramps, they can turn to any drink containing sodium. This is because we lose salts through sweating and cramp is a sign of dehydration and sodium loss.

If you want to be sure you are drinking enough water whilst exercising, weigh yourself before and after your workout. If you have lost weight during your workout, ensure that you drink 16 ounces extra for every pound lost; this will be enough to keep your body adequately hydrated. Some of us, especially those that sweat a lot, may find they drink more water than needed. If you have gained weight after a workout, it may be worth trying to cut down on the water a little as you can over hydrate yourself.

Eating Protein

Many professional athletes, especially those such as body builders, will incorporate protein into their diet as it aids in gaining lean muscle mass and can also help tone those muscles and lose weight. The amount of protein you eat each day depends on many things such as your size and what kind of exercise you usually do. If you are following a diet such as the ketogenic diet, eating a moderate amount of protein is the best way to lose weight and still gain the benefits from this food source.  

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day and can be a great way to add some protein to your diet. Another great time to consume protein is straight after a workout, with around 20 grams being the appropriate amount to consume, which is best taken from milk or protein shakes. Eating or drinking protein at this time can aid and support your body to build muscle.

Having a Healthy Diet

Professional athletes eat well, all the time. This is so they can maintain their physique and keep their level of fitness in tip top shape for every event. Many people make the mistakes of watching what they are eating before and after a workout, but this will not be of much benefit if you do not keep it up for the rest of the day.

Consuming carbs from a healthy source, such as fruit and vegetables, is just one way to fuel our body effectively. Eating lean protein such as chicken, eggs and beans and consuming healthy fats from sources such as avocados and nuts will all aid in having a heathier diet overall. A healthy diet can also mean taking supplements. KetoLogic offer tasty supplements that have a range of benefits including reducing cravings and suppressing your appetite. Along with a healthy diet, supplements can aid you in your weight loss and improve your energy levels.

Following these four rules will get your body in great shape in no time. Professional athletes do all of these for a reason and even if you are not working out to the same degree that they are, fueling your body in the same way has many benefits and can aid in your own weight loss and muscle toning journey.

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