Fitness & BJJ: Food = Fuel

Food = Fuel

My name is Lee Ann Urban, I am the Founder of “UrbanWind” Fitness Coaching in Austin, Texas and I have been involved in the Fitness Industry for the last 20 years; my background includes training and competing in the sport of competitive body building (5 years).In January of 2008, I became a student of “Vandry Brazilian Jiu Jitsu” (BJJ). The articles that I will share with you will include all aspects of fitness and how I see that fitness relates to BJJ.

What happens if you do not keep gas in your car and drive it?  It sputters, stalls, and stops; it will not do what you want it to do.  Without proper food, you, too, will run out of fuel and your body will not respond.

Schedule
The best way to keep your body fueled is to eat throughout the day.  If you plan to be away from your kitchen for more than 2 hours pack enough food and water until you return home.  See the eating schedule below.

Fruits and Vegetables
Every day your body needs 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables.  This may not always be possible but you need to make an honest effort, especially as you get older, you need those fruits and veggies!!  Spirulina is a great way to supplement your intake; it is the richest vegetation on the planet.

Protein
To maintain your ideal body weight, your protein intake per day should be one gram of protein per pound of your ideal body weight.  Protein drinks are a great way to supplement; depending on what is going on in your day, a slow release protein drink may be best.  This will buy your body more time before you would need to eat again, but the best sources of protein are animal sources. For a good smoothie, go to my Web site. http://www.urbanwind.com/recipes-soysmoothie.html

Refuel
Each time you train you have a window of opportunity to refuel your system, this window occurs for the first hour and a half after your training session.  Once this window has closed your body will begin to pull what it needs from the muscle. 

Water
Water intake is ½ oz. of water per pound of your current weight; you need this daily as well. 

I realize there are those we are constantly busy, and changes, even small ones, can seem difficult.  Try to incorporate as many of these things as you can, we each have good and bad days just do the best you can with each day as it comes.

Below is an eating schedule.  You will need to customize it according to your schedule, but it will give you an idea of how to fuel your body.

Lee Ann Urban
Personal Fitness Coach
leeann@urbanwind.com
www.urbanwind.com

Vandry BJJ Academy: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) & Muay Thai Boxing, Austin, Texas.