There are an awful lot of generalisations made when it comes to both training and nutrition.
Some simple principles which are considered, what you need to do – such as:
To get fitter – up your volume
To lose weight – reduce your calories.
Of course both are correct but as we know, both at the same time, unless managed properly lead to burn out and an eventual reduction in performance.
Have you been there?
I have and it taught me some big lessons, lessons you don’t want to learn the hard way.
But as my Geography teacher told my Mum when I nearly failed my A Level:
“Jamie doesn’t learn his lessons easily”
Thankfully I’ve matured since then.
Anyway, how should you manage this quandary?
It’s actually quite simple.
If you have a tough training day, volume or intensity then make sure you are eating enough.
However on rest days or easier days you can get away with eating less.
An easy day for me would be a Zone 2 session less than 1 hour, or a drills session – usually this is in the pool.
How do you know what is enough food?
There are some simple formulas for this, which in conjunction with recording your foods will help.
The formulas I use are in my book.
You get this for FREE when you join my private Coaching group – The Total Triathlete:
http://www.nutri-tri.com/the-total-triathlete/
Once you’ve got these formulas, it is up to you to check you are sticking to your calories – My fitness pal is as good as it gets for this.
To then determine how much to eat each day you will need some more guidance.
Thats why people post their food and training dilemmas on the private Facebook page, where I will critique and advise.
You also get the chance for a weekly live video Q and A – The first one of these is this week.
You’l also receive a electronic magazine with recipes etc – this goes out TOMORROW.
This month, our expert coach Kelly Crickmore discusses open water swimming and who isn’t at least a bit scared of this??
It’s £10 per month ($14 approx), which is the cost of the book itself so your first month is essentially FREE.
Check it out:
http://www.nutri-tri.com/the-total-triathlete/
Jamie “There are no sharks in lakes” Leighton