Seasonal Nutrition #2

Be sure to read "Seasonal Nutrition #1" before checking out this post.

Once you’ve figured your Daily Caloric Needs, it’s important to determine what percentage of nutrients you’ll use for a guideline each day.  What specific percentage of Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats make up your daily intake?  I use a simple 45% CHO, 35% PRO and 20% Fat breakdown right now.  Unless I’m really trying to ‘lean out’ I use this for most of the year.  Occasionally I’ll have a day or two with a slightly higher CHO percentage for when I know I’m going to have an increased level of exertion on that particular day or am trying to have a ‘re-feed’ meal.   Please do not take the percentages I’ve listed as a “rule”, they’re only what I’ve found that works for me.  The recommended percentage of each is different for everyone and should be tailored and monitored by a Professional (Nutritionist or Certified Personal Trainer) to be most effective. 

Egg 'mix', toast and Arabic Coffee @ Algebra Tea House

Seasonal Nutrition #1

I know what you’re thinking: “Great – can’t wait to read a blog telling me how what I’m eating is ‘bad’ for me.  And the super-technical breakdown of calories and macronutrients will be good reading….if I need help falling asleep.”  Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you that you eat crap; we both already know this – lol.  Kidding.  And I won’t go too deep into macro’s and calories, other than to describe what my food intake looks like and cover a few basic guidelines you’ll need to get started.  Not to freak you out any more, but this will be a 4-part blog as well – yes!

The initial focus of this post series is to describe some basic nutritional concepts that you’ll need to understand before I cover the more detailed seasonal-specific information (and no, there won't be a quiz later).  The follow-up posts will share some comments about how seasonal changes (the actual seasons of the year and being in/out of competition season) require a shift in foods and macronutrient content to match the needs of your body as it tries to adapt to new environmental conditions and different physical demands.  Whoa a little techie there, here’s a picture of food that might calm you down:

Ale's famous 5-chili chili

Final 2012 USASA SBX Local Series Results

It was a little different experience this weekend at Snow Trails, OH for the last set of local USASA SBX races.  And by different, I mean it was actually winter again.  Cold temps, fresh snow and a fun course with 5-person heats made for a really enjoyable day of competition (Kudo's to Pete and his staff with the USASA Snow Ohio Region for running the event).