I can eat anything as long as workout…right? Many years ago, prior to working in the fitness industry, I held the position of Assistant Manager in a supermarket. I was working around 60 hours a week for very little money but enjoyed the work and the title so stuck it out for a few years. Where am I going with this you ask? Well, during most of my shifts we had very little time to eat so a typical snack consisted of whatever reduced pies, sandwiches we had going in the chilled cabinet. On night shifts this changed a pack of Chocolate Hob Nobs (shared between 2) and 2 cans of red bull.

The problem was that I used to think that because my job was very active and I played quite a bit sport that I could eat literally anything and get away with it. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.

Sugar = Energy??

I can remember back 15-20 years ago when our preparation before sports was to have a can of coke and a mars bar. At halftime the coach would reveal a tub of freshly cut orange halves, which most of us ignored and turned to our second can of coke instead and that was followed by some with the customary half time cigarette. We finished by heading to the pub to which the team was sponsored by and consumed a few pints before heading home to kip for a couple of hours before it was time to go out with the mates to continue where you left off from the pub. Its no surprise that many of them are now visiting gyms to try and get rid of their expanded waistline that they developed over years of eating and drinking pretty much anything.

I was fortunate enough to find a career in the fitness industry and can happily say I’m a good few KG’s less than most of them.

Food & Fitness

This may appear extreme but there is still a belief that ‘I am active and I can eat what I want’ for instance, have you ever said or heard the line ‘That was a good workout, I can go and treat myself now’? I have seen member’s workout and then grab a snickers out of their gym bag before heading to the soft drinks machine at the bottom of the stairs. The reality is that if you want to change your physique and stay lean then it requires more than just exercise. If your diet isn’t up to much then you will fail! This is also the case for the other extreme of following fad diets, which require you eating very little. The right food provides you with the energy you need to get through a workout and the right food helps the body recover afterwards. Sure, you could eat whatever you wanted in school and stay thin. But unfortunately you’re not 17 anymore, and even if you work out 3 times a day you can’t transform your body if you constantly give in to cravings, fast foods and sweet treats.

The truth is, lean bodies are made in the kitchen and no amount of cardio and crunches can get you that physique you’ve always wanted if you continue with an unhealthy diet.

Kebab & Ab’s

You may find that you’re having trouble getting that 6 pack. The reality is that even if you attend every ab’s class possible the beer belly isn’t going anywhere. You may have perfectly sculpted abs but if they are hidden underneath beer and kebabs from regular weekends out then what was the point of the workouts? If you stop eating and drinking the wrong things and replace them with the right combination of protein, carbs etc then the workouts will begin to produce the desired outcome.

There has to be a combination of both exercise and diet to get that body looking lean and sculpted. There is plenty of ‘good information’ out there to provide you with the knowledge to stay healthy and fit, you just need to be disciplined and patient.