By now, most people know that nutrition is a vital part of fitness success. A sound eating strategy can help with recovery and give you the energy needed to train with full focus and intensity. In an article entitled The 6 Pillars of Fitness Nutrition that appeared on bodybuilding.com, author David Robson discusses how to build the nutritional foundation that works for you.

“Without a proper nutrition regimen to complement your active lifestyle, you could be wasting your efforts, seeing the slowest—or non-existent—progress, or worse, putting your entire body at risk for a bevy of dysfunction, including injuries, hormonal imbalances, and adrenal fatigue.”

Achieve Balance: “You can still achieve your dream body by adhering to a nutrient-dense eating plan 90 percent of the time and giving yourself the occasional treat.” Fitness model Karina Baymiller is quoted in the article as saying “My diet includes things like lean proteins, organic dairy, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The foods I consume the other 20-30 percent of the time are things I crave or just regularly want." The author urges people to find the right mix and make sure to keep a balance of nutritious foods that fuel both the body and the mind.

Be Realistic: “Set small, achievable goals and habits. Instead of cutting out that whole milk you love to drink every morning, try replacing it with low-fat milk or coconut milk. Rather than simply telling yourself to eat less food, try swapping out all your dinnerware or Tupperware with smaller versions. It's all about small, manageable modifications that don't set off your internal alarm bells with the overwhelming nature of change.”

Know Thyself: “Before you set out on a journey, map out the course. Determine exactly what it is you want to achieve and plan it out on the basis of what works best for you, not what your well-meaning friends told you would work. If you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, you can play them to your advantage.” With a sensible and balanced approach, the author emphasizes that you don’t need to feel deprived of your favorite foods. You just need to eat them in moderation.

Prioritize Protein: “Protein is the building block of muscle and is incredibly integral to the diet of an active individual. As a general guideline, your protein intake should stay steady between 0.8-1.5 grams of protein per pound of lean bodyweight.”

Carb Control: “Eat only the approximate number of carbs you need to successfully reach your goals. There is no magic number; everyone reacts to carbs a little differently. Some individuals can handle large quantities, some can't. Once you find it, you will feel more in control of your nutrition than ever before.”

Act Purposefully: “Whether you want to achieve physical greatness, have attention to detail, or reach targeted goals, you need to act with conviction. This includes attacking a nutrition plan that helps you reach your physique goal.”

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