Exercise does NOT counteract your diet!

Over the last number of years the participation of men and women in the sport of running has been increasing. A casual glance at the body shapes and sizes at any race weekend and intuitively one could surmise that weight loss may be one of the drivers of this trend. But does indulging yourself with a favourite treat post run or using those long slow distance weekend runs as a rationale for an all you can eat brunch actually defeat your weight loss goals? Well….you might need to take heed of some dietary advice: exercise does not counteract your diet. Weight loss research consistently shows that if you want to lose body fat, your need to CONSISTENTLY eat fewer calories then your caloric output (basal metabolic rate + any physical activity needs). And this is where many of us overestimate output and underestimate input…….and current research shows that our caloric intake is influenced not only by plate sizes that our food is served on but also by the body types of who we choose to eat with – we model the eating behaviour of those we want to look like and/or perform like – so post workout refueling with a speedy and/or slimmer friend who is piling his or her plate with food may be ruining your weight loss goals IF you decide to follow their eating behaviour! Instead, make a plan for what you need to get post workout and stick to that plan. It is better to err on the side of slightly less than more than you need when it comes to calories in!

Tiffanyʼs Blog Entry #5 - Itʼs Crunch Time

Crunch time is right! After several weeks of working with the Carleton womenʼs hockey team and doing presentations for other various groups the time has come to......DOCUMENT!!!! I have to prepare reports on everything I have done so far and I wonʼt lie - itʼs a little daunting. I have worked with so many athletes in the past 5 weeks that I have accumulated quite a bit of information. I have done presentations for a high school, gymnastics club and for health professionals as well, which I also must report on. Most importantly, because this is a pilot sports nutrition program, I must develop documentation so that if someone else were to expand the program, they would have somewhere to work from. There is a lot of valuable information that can extend to other teams - which I hope will be used! Given what Iʼve seen so far, Iʼm positive that other teams need some help in the nutrition department. I know I was a stickler for good nutrition beforehand, but now I actually cringe if I donʼt see athletes hydrating or fueling properly. These past few weeks have definitely made me really aware of the habits that will affect an athleteʼs performance. I donʼt think I can go back to turning a blind eye anymore! Watch out Montreal! When Iʼm back, Iʼm gonna mean business!