More of the story, Calories

To continue the story…The greatest dietary need would be total calories. Calories taken in must be greater than calories used for training or event. Some reserve has to remain and within a balance so we do not inappropriately gain or lose weight. For optimum performance and health these calories should be nourishing ones, not from junk or highly processed foods. The body wants to be a well tuned machine. The athlete’s body should be a finely tuned machine, in need of all the nutrients. There is little margin for excursions into the wasteland of bad food choices, alcohol, skipped meals, et al. One suggestion when temptation is in the air is to ask your self “is this my new standard”, i.e., that is to compromise. There is always an unforeseen consequence, usually negative, maybe not immediate. What do you do when the the little urchins in your head are arguing about the need to go off target for this “treat”, “reward”, “fun thing”, et cetera?