What an absolutely amazing day. I have just stepped off the plane in Calgary, Alberta for a 5-day wellness retreat, and it’s going to be SHREDtastic! In the words of Evolve Retreat Co:
”Reset, grow, and make meaningful lifestyle changes with an exclusive wellness adventure in the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Play hard and take it easy, fuelled by gourmet clean eating and supported by an elite international team of chefs, dieticians, nutritionists, trainers, physicians, and lifestyle mentors. Recharge in all-inclusive luxury, drink in the fresh air and stunning natural beauty, and enjoy our legendary Canadian hospitality.”
So with that said, Jane Sandwood has another timely blog that I know many people have had questions about. Have a good read, get moving & venture outdoors!
Approximately 61.3% of the Canadian population can be classified as either overweight or obese according to Statistics Canada. As the weight of countless Canadians spirals out of control, the risk of chronic illnesses such as cardiac disease, hypertension, and diabetes increases substantially. Cue the ketogenic diet that is transforming lives one low-carb meal at a time. Keto diets are proven to be so beneficial to human health. Even qualified medical practitioners are lobbying to have the Canada Food Guide amended to make provision for low-carb eating. As more people are turning to a low-carb diet, it is important to note what effect such a diet will have on a workout regime.
Your body will adapt to
Contrary to popular belief you can train hard without indulging in copious amounts of carbohydrates. The human body is equipped to exercise even in the absence of large amounts of carbohydrates. Regardless of whether you follow a high- or low-carb diet, your body stores a significant amount of sugar. This sugar, that is stored in our muscles as glycogen, is more than capable of fueling our bodies through a workout. When you exercise, your body can also burn body fat for fuel. This will not only boost your weight-loss efforts significantly but supply you with a stable source of energy as well.
You may feel under the weather at first
If you are just starting out on a ketogenic diet, you may experience a bout of carb flu while your body adapts to your new lifestyle. The symptoms, which include nausea, headache, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and overall weakness, may have a significant effect on your workouts. If you feel up to it, you can continue to work out as usual as long as you make a concerted effort to stay well-hydrated and not burn yourself out. If you are, however, battling with mental fog and dizziness it is best to avoid some exercises; especially those requiring quick actions in order to stay safe, such as cycling, running or hiking outdoors. Luckily our bodies are fast at adapting to a new healthier way of living. Within a few days, your carb flu should be a thing of the past and you can resume your normal exercise schedule.
Make sure you are eating enough
When you cut out an entire food group (such as carbs) it is important that you continue to fuel your body with healthy alternatives. There are numerous superb keto-friendly pre-workout snacks. You can indulge them in to give your energy a healthy boost during your workout. Keto fat bombs and keto bars are superb at enhancing your vigor while cottage cheese, berries, yogurt, and avocado can all form part of a very beneficial pre-workout meal. Remember that, due to the high-fat consumption, a keto diet often leads to a suppressed appetite. Working out while under-eating can be dangerous. Make it imperative to ensure that you are not depriving yourself of any nutrients.
Exercising on a keto diet is not only possible but extremely beneficial as well. As long as you don’t starve yourself, you will be able to sustain your high-performance levels while giving your overall health a very welcome boost.
