Mary asked a great question about having off days, performance wise and cravings
Hi Kelly,
I do a half hour of cardio followed by an hour of weights, flexibility, balance, and abs. Monday and Tuesday were easy-breezy and everything was lovely. Today was horrible. Chris [her trainer] had to let me go early because I couldn’t do any more. However, the trouble started back with this morning’s cardio. Did the exact same speed and distance as yesterday, but today my hr was through the roof, I couldn’t breathe, and I was sweating more profusely than usual. I know to expect off days, but this was so unexpected that I’ve wondered about it all day. My question is this. All day I have been craving a Milky Way. Usually, my cravings are binges and involve every known food. This time it was just for a Milky Way. I suppose, ideally, I would be craving an apple, but is it possible to crave sugar the way you might crave potasium or protein, when you have an imbalance. And, if so, could the missing sugar be the reason for the crappy workout? It’s just been very strange and I’d love to know why.
I also love your new website.
Mary
First, Im glad you are ok and you should rule out any medical reason (heart disease, etc.) before you brush it off as just a bad day. But off days do happen, and it can be from a variety of different things:
You could be fighting off an illness (even if you dont feel sick), something you have (or haven’t) eaten could be effecting your energy levels, your hormones could be off, etc.
The fact that you added the Milky Way comment at the end leads me to believe you didn’t have enough sugar (or carbohydrates or glucose, depending on what you want to call it) in your system, so your blood sugar was low.
Carbs (sugar) are your body’s number 1 source of energy. When you don’t have enough in your system, your body slows down, which makes doing your regular workout way more grueling than normal. Your body is pretty smart, so when it runs low on carbs, it makes you crave simple carbs (sugar foods like candy and refined bread.) simple carbs break down really fast, enter the blood stream quickly to supply the fast dose of energy, and then deplete again, causing you to crave more sugar.
Have you ever eaten a crap ton of candy or donuts or something, and find you are full for about 30 minutes, and then start craving more sugar? you dont crave veggies or chicken- you crave more sugar, because your body is low again.
Thats why complex carbs are so important for a healthy lifestyle, but also for weightloss and why ATKINS IS THE DEVIL. complex carbs (like whole grains) break down slowly and regulate your blood sugar, eliminating cravings, and regulating appetite for hours. They also provide you with energy all day long.
But I digress.
If it happens again, eat something with simple carbs (simple sugars break down quickly and enter the blood stream immediately to give you instant energy. its short lived, but should get you through your workout) like candy or crackers. we keep pria bars at my work for people that forget to eat or need a quick dose of evnergy because they are so sugary.
If you crave something super specific, id say go ahead and eat it, but if you really want to watch what you are eating, have a peice of fruit instead. fruits are simple carbs, too, but have less calories, with more fiber and nutrients.
Your body is smart and knows what it wants. Dont neccesarily deprive it because it wants a candy bar. That doesnt mean you can eat one every day, but there is room for everything in your diet as long as it is in moderation and it is not trans fat.
FUN FACT: a study done by the Nurse’s Association shows that a 3% increase in trans fat consumption by women increases their risk of heart disease by 93%. 93%!!!
Stay away from partially hydrogenated oils!
Ok, tangent over.
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