Nutrition

Q: I am the original junk food junkie. But, I work out every day to the 7x11 Daily DVD. I follow your program for toning and sculpting my body, I really don't have any weight I need to lose. Why do I need to be concerned about eating right?

A: If you regularly follow my Visibly Fit™ exercise program but are not paying attention to basic nutrition, then you are essentially throwing away a good portion of the benefits you are gaining from your workouts. Basic nutrition is absolutely essential to making the most of any fitness program. Food calories supply energy and nutrients to the body during exercise. Without proper basic nutrition you lose energy more quickly, resulting in a less intense workout. While simple sugars found in junk foods are used up almost immediately, complex sugars and complex carbohydrates provide prolonged energy to the muscles during exercise. Protein is composed of amino acids which support growing muscles. In fact, basic nutritional deficits can cause you to lose hard earned muscle to muscle tissue breakdown or catabolism. Like mother always told you: Eat your vegetables!

Q: I keep hearing I'm supposed to be drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day. Do I need this much? And what are the nutritional benefits of drinking this much water each day?

A: Although it's the simple molecule, created from two atoms of hydrogen, one oxygen, water packs a major punch. Yes, water, in itself, makes up over 60% of our body! And it doesn't end there. Water involves itself in many of the main systems of the body including circulation, digestion and elimination. Depending on your activity level, your body loses at least 2 quarts of water each and every day. Water is lost through bodily functions, through the skin, lungs and elimination. It is indeed recommended that you drink 64 ounces of water each day to aid in improved circulation, digestion, and elimination. A couple of other bonuses: it fills you up, so you tend to be satisfied with less food, and your skin will be amazingly clear!

Q: I am trying to eat a more high fiber diet for all the health benefits associated with doing so. What's the easiest way to get more fiber into my diet?

A: Whole beans, soybeans and other legumes are excellent sources of fiber. A 1 cup serving of cooked navy beans contains about 19 grams of fiber! Always read the Nutrition Facts label to find out the amount of, and the type of, fiber contained in any particular food. Other excellent sources are: lima beans, peas, raisin bran cereal, spinach, edamame, broccoli, brussel sprouts, baked sweet potato and brown rice. The average American only gets about half the amount of fiber they need everyday for their body to function optimally. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), fiber helps lower cholesterol and is important for the health of our digestive system. Both the AHA and the National Cancer Institute recommend that we consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily.