When it comes to getting in great shape certain things must take place.  Now yes genetics does have some to do with it but not always.  Sure someone that was blessed with very athletic or thin genetics does get away with more than maybe someone that was well maybe not as blessed.

However…there is a reason why very fit people are very fit! Those reasons are 4 specific things that very fit people have in common.

1.) Post-workout nutrition

If you ask any one of my clients what is the most important meal of the day, they will tell you that post workout meal is THE most important meal.  Someone who is very fit will always make sure to supplement their diet with the extra nutrients it needs to recover.  Recent studies have reported on the importance and benefits of post workout nutrition. During exercise muscle protein isdegraded and the rate of protein breakdown is accelerated after exercise.  It is essential to help rebuild muscle by adding a whey protein shake after your workout.  Some of the benefits include providing the nutrients needed by your muscles to rebuild and repair.  Your body can easily digest and use protein quickly unlike whole foods that digest slowly and therefore will not provide the benefits within the needed time frame.  Your post workout nutrition should promote the quickest delivery of protein and carbohydrates to your depleted muscle and no fat.  Be sure to refuel within 30 minutes of your workout for greatest benefit as this is when your muscles are bio-chemically ready for nutrients.  This time period is often referred to as the “Window of Opportunity” which diminishes quickly and you lose promoting full muscle recovery. 

I of course recommend this company–> Prograde Nutrition

The Journal of Applied Physiology reported a study that tracked 13 subjects over 12 weeks. One group took a protein-containing supplement immediately after resistance training. The other waited for 2 hours before taking protein. The immediate protein group saw significant increases in muscle mass, dynamic strength (strength in moving a weight) and isometric strength (strength without movement). The 2-hour delay group saw only improved dynamic strength. The study notes “We conclude that an early intake of an oral protein supplement after resistance training is important for the development of hypertrophy in skeletal muscle.

J Physiology. 2001 Aug 15; 535(Pt 1):301-11.

2.) Train hard

It’s as simple as that.  People that are very fit are willing to push themselves a little harder and a little further than the next person.  There has to be some level of pain or discomfort for your body to make a change and adapt to this new level of intensity.  Without this, you will plateau and never see the results you want.  Now I don’t mean pain as in injury pain.  But when you feel like you’ve exhausted yourself, you dig a little deeper and just give that extra push.  Physically you will be able to do it, but it begins with the mind.

Look at it like this…in order to be successful, which many of you reading this are well educated and have a career of some sort,  you started with long nights studying in school and started at the bottom of your company.  You had to feel the pains of studying hard and establishing yourself in the company in order to get where you are today.  Without going through tough situations and working hard, you wouldnt be successful.  That correlates to getting fit also!

3.) Focused Mindset

If you watch anyone who is really fit workout.  You will see a level of intensity and focus on their face.

That hour or however long their workout is, the fit person will focus on the job at hand for that day.  One workout at a time and one lift or exercise at a time.

Yeah sure there are plenty of days when the fit person is dragging…but the difference is when they turn it around and make those days the best workouts.

Tip to help change mindset:Having your favorite music pumping on your ipod

4.) Eat To Perform

This seems to be one of the most challenging things.  So I’m just gonna tell you what very fit people do and think when it comes to food.  Because trust me…very fit people love to eat bad food too!

First of all, the problem is we have way too many choices.  That’s what gets most of us in trouble.  A very fit individual will lower those choices to a smaller select list of healthy foods to choose from when its time to eat during the week.  Yeah it sounds boring, but the rewards are great and you get used to it.

The other thing is when looking to eat or put something in your mouth, someone who is fit will think more about if that food will benefit their body while eating it or set them back.  It helps to actually talk to yourself and ask yourself the question, “will this fuel and nourish my body?” If the answer is no, then you might be more likely not to eat it.  A fit person is always making sure that their bodies are supplied enough to perform and repair!

Last a fit person will and look forward to enjoying a cheat day.  I always say to be militant during the week and party a little on the weekend.

So start adopting these habits people and achieve a healthier and happier body!

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Tags: fit, fit people, focus, MINDSET, post-workout, supplements, train, very fit

This entry was posted on July 14, 2010 at 10:00 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Mindset, Motivation, and Inspiration, Weight Loss and Healthy Eating by Greg Crawford | 1 Comment

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