Guide To Playing Sports, Eating Right And Getting Fit The Athlete's Way

Kinita Kadakia Patel’s guide to playing sports, eating right and getting fit the athlete’s way.

- Kinita Kadakia Patel

Picking up a sport helps you get fitter, healthier and feel more energetic. Sports challenge your body and mind, and help you focus better at work and perform better overall. However, it is crucial to follow a fitness programme and nutrition plan which is compatible to the sport you play.

For instance, if you like swimming, a four-week workout and nutrition plan should be chalked out which will improve your stamina and help your body transform the way you need it to.

However, taking up a sport or any fitness programme requires motivation, perseverance and discipline. There are many ways to achieve this: 

a. Identify your motivation. 

b. Set realistic targets. 

c. Time management. 

d. Overcome small setbacks - like soreness and injuries. 

e. Be patient - don’t expect results in a day. Give yourself two to three months to see significant improvement in energy, stamina and overall performance.

EAT RIGHT

— Nutrition plans are very important to transform your body. Making sure you don’t eliminate a food group in your diet is the most important factor in keeping energy levels at their peak.

— Eat regular meals, do not skip meals, eat a big breakfast and don’t eat too much at one time. Understand that some meals are very essential such as pre-workout and post-workout snacks.

— Meal timing, composition and frequency are key. For instance, a pre-workout snack of ½ cup oats + 1 orange should be eaten between 1-3 hours before training. There should be enough time for your stomach to feel comfortable - not too full and not too hungry. Similarly, post-workout meals should ideally be consumed immediately after your workout in order to start the process of refuelling.