Getting It Up - Body of Life.3

by Norris Tomlinson
...only on LifeLube

Do you ever feel like you just don’t have the energy to get up and go, or, in some instances, to even get it up at all? When the morning coffee boost wears off, do you come crashing way down? Are you less energetic than you have been in the past? It might be time to take a look at the amount of protein that you are taking in through your diet.

Protein helps to provide sustained energy and is a catalyst for performing many vital functions for well being. Your body can capably uses protein as a fuel to produce energy or glucose. Protein plays a major role in building and repairing muscle tissue---including that which is relative to the heart---and helps in maintaining a strong immune system. Your body uses protein to make hemoglobin---the part of red blood cells than transports oxygen to every part of your being.

Now, don’t get carried away and decide to go on an extreme diet, i.e. protein only. Taking balanced meals that include protein, carbohydrates, fiber-rich foods, and even (good) fats is the rule here. Be sure to include protein in all of your meals, especially at breakfast time. Having protein first thing in the morning provides a more sustained level of energy versus the typical heavy carbohydrate breakfast of bagels, pancakes, or doughnuts.

The best food sources of protein include fish, chicken, turkey, beef, eggs, nuts, and beans. Don’t have time to scramble eggs in the morning? Try making a protein drink using any number of reputable protein mixes on the market. Combined with milk, fruit or fruit juice, it is the perfect breakfast for on-the-go. Speaking of combining, let’s just reiterate the importance of balance. Go ahead, have the bagel for breakfast; but be sure to top it with a smear of peanut butter or a slice of salmon.

Be careful not to overindulge on a good thing. Too much protein only taxes your kidney and liver as they work hard to eliminate the excess. How much is enough? A very general guide is to consume about one gram of protein for every two pounds that you weigh. Mr. Tall Fit & Handsome that weighs 160 pounds could stand to take in about 80 grams, less or more, of protein daily.

Take some time to look at the foods you eat on a daily basis alongside what are the physical requirements of your body---work, exercise, sex. If you are not always up to the tasks, maybe a tweak in the balance of your diet might need to be added to your “to do” list.

Stay tuned – we will cover the good fats the next time, as promised before; protein took up too much space this time.

For additional information on protein, take a look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/protein.html http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.html


Bio Norris
Norris Tomlinson has been a professional in the fitness industry for 18 years. He is currently the Program Director and a master Pilates instructor for Cheetah Gym Chicago. He is the former Director of Fitness Services for Bally Total Fitness Corporation, responsible for fitness programming at approximately 400 clubs across North America.

Have a question for Norris? E-mail him here.