Hi there, it's PROMATx Health Club trainer, April Crosby. Here's a little personal story I'd like to share with you. So it was Tuesday and I came into the gym with my two workout buddies and we started our workout. Interval stations of an upper body exercise, lower body exercise, and a cardio exercise all for one minute a piece. Not too bad, huh? I was a little sore and tired from my workout yesterday but I pushed through the first round. Then it set in...I was light-headed and my heart rate was very high. Mind you, this was NOT a H.I.I.T. style workout (high intensity, interval training). In other words, I never should have been that wiped out. So what was the problem? I slept well that night (a little longer than usual) and I had a small meal/snack before my workout. I was well hydrated and I wasn't fighting any sickness at the moment. Looking back over the past 24 hours, it finally dawned on me what caused me to feel this way. On Monday when I left the house in the morning, I packed a protein-filled lunch, added fresh fruit to my bag, as well as a few snacks for in between my group exercise class and lunch. I got to work and taught a tough strength training class. After class I went to reach for a snack and BAM! It hit me...I left my lunch bag sitting on the kitchen counter. Darn it!
Has that ever happened to you? I didn't have the opportunity to run out and get something to eat because I had a packed schedule in the gym. Then I had a couple appointments after leaving the gym so again, no time. Essentially from 8a-3:30p I had no food. After burning a lot of calories in class, my food reserves had been drained (as well as my energy level). I pushed through thinking it would be OK because I could eat after my last appointment. Well 3:30p came around and, of course, I was way past hungry. Since I still didn't have any food with me, I swung by a local Mexican restaurant to get some black beans and rice. Add a few "unmentionables" to that dish and that was my breakfast/snack/lunch. Probably added up to around 500-600 calories, unfortunately. I split that meal between my lunch and dinner.
So that's not the end of the story. As I stated early, I did my regularly scheduled personal workout with a couple of friends on Tuesday (the next day). It was probably one of the worst workouts I had in a long time. Why was that? Because I probably had about 700-800 calories of food the day prior. Based on my activity levels and metabolism, I should be eating close to 1900 calories/day. My body was in a temporary state of starvation and therefore I had no energy reserves to get me through my workout. I was lethargic, my heart rate was abnormally high, and my muscles were unusually fatigued and sore. That should have been an indication to me right then and there since I know the signs of overtraining and under eating.
The moral of the story...no matter what type of training regime you are on (i.e., fat/weight loss, muscle building, lean out, etc.), it is VITAL that you consume enough calories to meet your activity levels. Even one day matters. Essentially, my workout on Tuesday was a waste of time and a waste of energy (what little there was left). Even today I am still slightly feeling the effects of under eating on Monday. Most people think..."I eat less, I lose weight". In theory that seems correct but there is a fine line. It is important to talk with nutrition professionals when you are attempting to change your body composition. They will know how to safely and accurately get you to your goal.
It just goes to show that sometimes "life happens" and things get out of whack. Use these times as a learning experience and move on. While forgetting my lunch doesn't happen very often, I know now to take adequate steps (like asking friends co-workers if they have food to share or if they can cover me while I go get some healthy food) to resolve the issue. Just a little insight in the crazy life of mine!!
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