Clean eating + Fitness comp.

iRebel

How important is 'clean eating' to get into fitness comp. shape? i.e. egg whites, tofu, veggies, whole grains, lean meat, etc.

Will you see a difference in results?

I hear lots of people saying that all that counts is calories, but does that apply here?

chivalryder

Once your body has digested the food, broken it down into glucose, and is able to store it/use it, a calorie is a calorie, regardless of where it came from.

The difference is what your body has to do in order to break it down into usable energy. That's when things get important, and where eating "clean" will make a huge difference.

Not to mention empty calories vs. nutrient-dense calories, all the extra chemicals and free-radicals you can get from eating processed foods, etc etc etc.

I started eating "clean" again 3 days ago. Lost 3.4 lbs in those three days from 2000+ calories/day, no working out (going to study body weight training so I can start next week). What you eat has a lot more to do with your health and fitness than how you workout.

Rae6503

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

I don't eat "clean" but I'm not a fitness competitor either...

iRebel

Thanks, that made a lot of sense! I got this gym and I tried it out, doing all the different lifts on it. 3 sets of 5 (heavy) and no tendon pain!!!! YAY! So now I want to start doing more heavy lifting.

WendyTerry420

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

I don't eat "clean" but I'm not a fitness competitor either...

Great article!

iRebel

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

I don't eat "clean" but I'm not a fitness competitor either...

thanks!

RobynMWilson

I never thought it mattered till I got SERIOUS about my health and results and I'm def noticing that eating better makes a HUGE difference! I'm starting to buy into that the nutrition is just as important as the exercise...esp if you wanna get into fitness competition shape..

deniselynn13

For competing, nutrition is a HUGE part of it. You need to eat super clean and super strict, especially close to competition time. It changes the shape of your body, how you hold water, how you appear (popped veins and muscles). That's why competing is for those who are very serious. It takes a lot of determination and will and you have to sacrifice a lot!!

chivalryder

Thanks, that made a lot of sense! I got this gym and I tried it out, doing all the different lifts on it. 3 sets of 5 (heavy) and no tendon pain!!!! YAY! So now I want to start doing more heavy lifting.

I would hold off on heavy lifting! Only increase the weight you are lifting by a maximum of 10% every week, to allow your body to slowly adjust to the changes/new stress you are putting it through. Also, it will help you develop your form better to prevent injuries in the future.

RobynMWilson

And furthermore, after reading the article and I'm at the 10-15% range of indulgences...that banana split looks mighty good lol. I don't say I eat clean, I say I eat well because as you can read in the article, the definition of "clean eating" is very subjective. For me it's eating as little processed food (besides protein powder) as possible and eating more REAL food...

iRebel

Thanks, that made a lot of sense! I got this gym and I tried it out, doing all the different lifts on it. 3 sets of 5 (heavy) and no tendon pain!!!! YAY! So now I want to start doing more heavy lifting.

I would hold off on heavy lifting! Only increase the weight you are lifting by a maximum of 10% every week, to allow your body to slowly adjust to the changes/new stress you are putting it through. Also, it will help you develop your form better to prevent injuries in the future.

Ok, will do. I like to jump into things... :drinker:

iRebel

For competing, nutrition is a HUGE part of it. You need to eat super clean and super strict, especially close to competition time. It changes the shape of your body, how you hold water, how you appear (popped veins and muscles). That's why competing is for those who are very serious. It takes a lot of determination and will and you have to sacrifice a lot!!

I am probably not ready for this type of sacrifice, as I am still overcoming my unhealthy eating patters... but soon, I WILL be ready!