The New Sports Nutrition

To be a disciplined woman in the year 2002 is a very powerful concept. To resist the temptations of your environment, to have strong control and higher expectations of yourself above mediocrity and to have the will not to "go with the flow" is truly a rebel stature in our North American lifestyle.

It's no mystery that there's no quick fix, magic bullet or potion for anyone who is ultimately concerned about health and fitness and his or her ability to perform with excellence in life. But I don't think that anyone would deny the fact that energy output equals energy input.
Life is energy and isn't that what women want? All life arises out of choice. Making the right choices in the right combination creates a positive balance of energy.

Let's start our journey with a trip to the health food store. There are so many fantastic products on the market today that can enhance athletic performance, stamina, attitude, beauty, and the list goes on…I find the blender to be a key component in my choice making when I purchase products.

Start the Day the Right Whey

I begin and end my day with a whey protein shake. I find this helps me to stay lean, keep my energy level up and, believe it or not, it really helps to curb my sweet tooth. Insufficient protein intake increases sugar cravings in men, women and children, and we know that sugar turns to fat and what that does to our waistline. I sleep better at night and have a more positive outlook in life. I add flax seed oil to my shakes. As Udo Erasmus, author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, says "Take as much oil until your skin feels soft," and I must say I have soft skin and my joints also appreciate the essential fatty acids.

Adequate rest and sound sleep are also of paramount importance. Most women I talk to definitely don't get enough (sleep, that is). There are no hard and fast rules about how much sleep is enough, but to operate at peak efficiency during the day with a sense of vitality, adults need about seven hours each night. Some of us can function on as little as five, while others perform better on nine or 10.

Drink plenty of filtered water every day. This is such a simple rule for good health, but again, most women don't get enough (water, that is).

So if you're doing all the above faithfully, then you will undoubtedly have more energy. Now the fun begins.

The Fitness Factor

Do you know that we have close to 700 muscles in our body that need exercise? Join a gym! You'll be surprised at how many people you'll meet just like yourself, people with different goals perhaps, but the gym is the common denominator. Keeping mom in mind, most gyms today have regular daycare. Believe me, kids enjoy it too.

Train for at least one hour four to five days a week. To reap benefits that you and your friends will notice, it's essential to train with some intensity. So when you finally buy that gym membership, use it! Hey, I met my husband at the gym along with most of my closest friends!

Why not start a dance, martial arts or yoga class at your nearest community centre? Plug a workout video in the VCR while the kids are napping or on your day off. You can also use some light dumbbells to intensify your workout. Buy a home gym or a few pieces of equipment such as a stationary bike or a treadmill. Just think, you can exercise, do business on the phone and mind the kids all at the same time.

Another good habit to get into is to take a family walk right after dinner, and above all, don't eat before you go to bed unless it's a protein shake. So women: why not take these steps to start your journey and get what you really want?