Here in the UK there was a programme on TV the other night about the effects of stress on health.
Unsurprisingly, too much stress is not good.
Some stress though is and getting this balance right is key.
I’ve talked in the past about how stress effects body composition.
Namely it raises our cortisol levels, which effect our blood sugar levels negatively and hence make us more likely to store body fat – especially on our belly.
One stress which is very common across triathletes, is combining high training loads with too great a calorie deficit.
Both of the above create stress but together the risks are higher.
Combine this with “life stressors” like work and kids, makes achieving a high performing body far less likely.
Yes, you need to train to get faster and Yes you need a calories deficit to lose fat but…..
How you create that deficit is key.
Firstly you need to know how to set calories for you and your training volume – its different for everyone.
Then you need to nourish you body with lots of goodness.
Nutrient dense foods rather than energy dense.
By providing the body with the nutrients it needs, it will become better functioning which in turn will assist in fat loss.
The other positive of eating nutrient dense food is that you can eat more.
Not more calories, but more food on your plate.
When you are a little bit “Greedy” like me, this is a good thing.
Where do you start?
You need to set calories.
You need to know what to eat and when.
This is why I wrote my E-book – The Triathlete Nutrition Code:
It teaches you how to set up a diet for you.
How to set calories.
How to eat for your body type.
How to manage stress.
How to get better sleep.
And it is full of nutrient dense recipes which will fuel rather than starve you.
If your serious about getting faster, improving your health and reducing your body fat percentage, you need it in your life.
If though you are happy as you are, don’t bother!
Jamie “don’t starve” Leighton