A Hard Truth About Nutrition

I used to be an outdoor instructor. I spent my days hiking, canoeing, and living the life of an outdoor adventurer. I was thin, and people often commented on how good I looked. But I wasn't healthy. I was chronically under-fueled, taking a toll on my body.

I didn't know it then, but years of not eating enough had caused my body to break down muscle tissue for energy. It didn't matter that I was not intentionally restricting myself with food. I was losing muscle mass and not feeling well. I was also more susceptible to illness and had trouble recovering from injuries.

In my case, the drastic lifestyle change that came with leaving the outdoor profession led to me slowly balancing my energy intake (food) and expenditure (exercise and lifestyle). But it was years before I understood what happened and why.

In time my experience taught me a hard truth about nutrition. A valuable lesson that needs to be discussed more often: different nutrition goals can conflict with each other. This conflict is especially true when trying to achieve optimal health, peak athletic performance, and an aesthetic physique.

Nutrition for optimal health focuses on eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods. This type of nutrition does not focus on weight loss or muscle gain. The goal is to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to function at its best.

Nutrition for peak athletic performance focuses on eating the right foods in the right amounts to fuel training and competition. This type of nutrition may involve consuming more calories, protein, and carbohydrates than a person who is not active. It may also include consuming certain foods or supplements to improve recovery or reduce inflammation. The goal is to provide the body with the energy it needs to perform at its best.

Nutrition for an aesthetic physique focuses on eating in a way that will help a person achieve a specific body composition goal, such as losing weight, gaining muscle, or getting lean. This type of nutrition may involve following a strict diet or meal plan or using supplements or other methods to achieve the desired results.

The truth is building muscle and getting lean require different nutrition strategies.

The wellness industry often promotes the idea that we can achieve all three types of nutrition at once. However, this is not always possible or realistic. It is essential to be sceptical of claims that promise quick and easy results and to focus on finding a healthy and sustainable eating plan that fits your individual goals.

The Health Wellness & Fitness Industry is telling you if you eat like this, you will look like this, which is what you're suppose to want.  But that's just not how it works.

When we try to make a plan to achieve all three things simultaneously, we often face challenges. For example, optimal health and performance nutrition require a calorie surplus, while nutrition strategies for weight loss or aesthetics require a calorie deficit. These strategies can be challenging to balance, and it may be necessary to prioritize one goal over another.

It is essential to understand the different goals of each type of nutrition. Nutrition for optimal health is focused on long-term health and well-being, while nutrition for peak performance and aesthetics focuses on short-term goals. At the same time, if moderate to intense physical activity is part of your lifestyle, a different strategy would be employed then that for training for a specific event. It is also essential to consider your individual needs and preferences when creating an eating plan.

The best way to achieve your nutrition goals is a sustainable plan designed for you. This strategy means finding a nutrition plan that you can stick to in the long term. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, so it is essential to experiment and see what works best for you.

If you are still trying to achieve your nutrition goals, working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist can be helpful. A nutritionist can help you create a personalized plan that meets your individual needs and goals.

There is no easy answer when it comes to achieving multiple nutrition goals. However, understanding the different goals and finding a sustainable plan can increase your chances of success.

For those of you reading this who are balancing multiple health and fitness goals with nutrition, I hope this post has been helpful.

My membership program is for people who want to empower active lifestyles with personalized nutrition plans for peak performance, optimal health, and unstoppable success without sacrificing physical or mental health. If you would like to discuss working with a Nutritionist or learn more about FUELED, you can book a free call here to learn more.