Make  exercise a priority

Most people would agree that regular, moderate-intensity physical activity offers significant health benefits.

In keeping with the current Olympic theme (and that amazing hurdles heat run by Sally Pearson last night) I thought I’d explore today the best food and nutrients we can take daily as well as optimum pre and post workout fuel.

A lot of us “non-elite” people workout to stay healthy, improve our energy levels, to lose or maintain weight, to relieve stress and to keep our mood and hormones stable and optimal.

So if you are in this category and not working out for more than an hour than it’s not critical to eat before your workout. We hear of many snacking on fruit or cereal before their morning workout. The thing is, these foods break down into sugars and that's the preferred energy source of the body.  And that’s what you will be burning off during the workout (this may be the cause of your frustration if you’ve been working out and not losing any weight).
Generally we suggest some Magnesium powder for cellular energy and Carnitine to mobilise fat into the mitochondria ready to burn.
If you do need a bit more of a stimulant before exercising try a freshly brewed green tea. And for those who also include weights in their training regime try a small serve of protein isolate before working out.

Post workout food can include some whole grains and protein (like porridge with kapai puku or chia seeds) or a protein smoothie. It’s important that you are getting the nutrients you need for your body and muscles to repair and recover. We like to use super foods in our smoothies to mop up the free radicals produced when putting the body under stress and to replenish the body with a high nutrient status.

What if scientists today release news that they have found a secret pill that will:

• Improve aerobic fitness
• Enhance cognitive functioning, memory & learning
• Protect  against mental health issues
• Decrease by 60% your chance of getting Alzheimer’s  Disease

Who would line up to get a bottle?

I’m sure most of us would. But unfortunately there is no such magic pill that exists as yet. But there is a secret that does exist that will achieve all of the above:  It’s AEROBIC EXERCISE.