Nutrition for Your Goals, Part 3: Health
Looking Good… or Being Healthy?
If a genie came out of a lamp and offered you one of two options, would you rather have 6-pack abs or live a longer, healthier life? If you chose the latter, then you’ll want to keep reading…
While both the scale and the mirror are useful tools, they don’t tell us the whole story. It’s nice to look good and be happy with the number on the scale, but long-term health goes deeper than a thin waistline or bulging biceps. If you’ve read the two previous entries, you know that being in a calorie deficit is the way to weight loss, and macronutrient balance is important for our body composition, but you might not know that micronutrients, a.k.a. vitamins and minerals, are the secret to health.
When you hear the term “vitamins” you might think, “Oh no, not again. Someone’s trying to sell me on bogus supplements” but I promise you that’s not where this is going. Do you know what the best source of micronutrients is? REAL FOOD. Fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts - basically, if it didn’t have a mother, grow out of the ground, or fall off a tree, it’s not real food. If it comes in a box or a bag and has a long shelf life, it’s not going to be the healthiest option to eat. A diverse diet of real, whole foods will give you all the nutrients you need to stay healthy. So shop the outside aisles of the grocery store, and your future self will thank you.
Why Not Both?
If you’ve read this far, you might think, “So, are looking good and being healthy mutually exclusive? Can I not have both?” Absolutely you can! If you eat the right foods in the right proportions and amounts for you (and don’t forget exercise), you can have a strong body and a long, healthy life. Also, I guarantee you’ll be happy with the number on the scale. And if you’re still confused about how to be healthy or look your best, come see me - I’d love to sit down and give you some tips in person.
Finally, I’ll leave you with a few words from EC Synkowski, a nutrition expert who runs OptimizeMe Nutrition (follow them on social media if you like awesome content):
"Control calories to change weight
Control macros to change body comp
Control micros to change health"
It’s as simple as that.
Spencer Smith
Owner & Head Coach
CrossFit Donelson