Nutrition & Diet: The Round Table pt.1
Many athletes come through the Right Coast Pro Developmental program in hopes of becoming a better athlete. Whether it is Pro Wrestling, Soccer, Baseball, Softball or other endeavor, we can certainly provide the mental & physical leadership & resources, but when it is all said and done YOU and ONLY YOU must take responsibility for obtaining proper nutrition. Our trainers cannot be with you 24/7 and at some point YOU must choose between excelling as an athlete or receding into mediocrity with the masses. As an Athlete YOU cannot rely on anyone else when it comes to nutrition, nor can you afford from a heath and performance standpoint to approach nutrition as a non-athlete or weekend warrior would. To help you on your journey, here is part 1 of “The Round Table” to get you started on the path of athletic greatness as well as health & wellbeing. Enjoy -JJ
"With much of the available diet advice focused upon directing the public away from the facts or at least ‘common sense’, the truth of the matter is that it takes a lifestyle change to reverse society’s poor dietary habits. Albeit that will seem complicated, this approach is ‘simple’, in-fact so refreshingly easy that I refer to the plan as ‘Simplicity’.
Athletes that do not respect the importance of a healthy diet will not attain their potential.
Prior to going any further, let me state unequivocally the ‘Simplicity’ plan is terribly unoriginal and in-fact steeped in standard practices of another era. While the breakdown of the family unit and values played a major role in dietary habits, the massive shift in food distribution, farming practices and ultimate reliance upon processed items has derailed any reasonable chance of optimal health. Though that goes completely against the grain of the industry that will look to continue the public's reliance on what is truly odd eating practices, the answer is to look towards our past and a ‘simpler time’. Whilst self-appointed ‘gurus’ and their marketing experts will shift the public's attention to catchy slogan's to suit a publicity machine, the finest dietary advice available stems from our heritage.
Sadly, the public has become a peculiar pawn in this process and with roughly fifty years of poor dietary habits, the near-death of cuisine and the destruction of the family unit, once common habits have been lost. Though that commentary may not ring true to some, unfortunately the vast majority of the public has been bred into a world that the media has helped create dysfunctional body images and truthfully has a sub-standard quality of life. While I will reserve commentary for a later article, body imagery in the media has done an enormous disservice to the public. ‘Simplicity’, rolls back to the starting line, unshackles the public from a problematic cycle that the food industry has helped create and along with the endless health benefits throughout society, greatly improves the quality of life.
In the first ten ‘Simplicity’ rules, adopt each of these immediately.
1. Start each day with a centuries old tonic that is blend of a few tablespoons of 'raw' honey from local sources with one to two lemons squeezed in a glass of hot water.
2. Eat healthy balanced meals with meat, vegetable and fruit sources with proportions of each roughly the size of your palm and make use of natural marinades that include olive oil as an example.
3. Push away from the table without being ‘full’. Gluttony or sloth-like tendencies are not admirable qualities nor is the inability to understand table manners and etiquette.
4. Restore the Family Meal. Enjoy your meal with family and friends as a moment of fellowship. Read that again because if you do not understand that, you seriously have not understood why I continue to write on exercise.
5. Turn your phone and television off when eating. While the latter offers little at any stage in life, the mindless phone calls and 'texting' during a meal destroys any form of relaxation. Furthermore, next time someone texts while eating with you, leave but text them quickly thereafter to inform them they may now enjoy the meal alone.
6. Never consume processed foods. Consume nothing that comes from a box or soft drinks. Have some self-control and discipline.
7. Drive by the drive-through. No ‘take-away’ or ‘fast foods’ and eradicate the planet from this foul scourge that has somehow convinced the public speed up life and forget the family meal.
8. If shopping at a large grocer, consider your ‘hunting and gathering’ restricted to the perimeter. Enter the food store and stay on the perimeter, where only fresh food is available as death lays within the aisles of processed foods.
9. Consume ten to fifteen servings of vegetables a day as a minimum and where possible choose from organic sources! If you are blessed enough to have a backyard, better still enjoy the fruits of your labour.
10. Consider your shopping from local farmer markets, true butcher shops with finely marbled meats. Meet your local suppliers, shake their hands and build a community faith - John Davies author of The Beautiful Game series, and founder of Renegade Training International
More health and fitness information on the above can be found in our fitness section here, including the famous RED2 Lunge Patterning Series.
For a more definitive look into soccer and player development it is recommended that you purchase the ‘Beautiful Game I, II & III series of books written by John Davies ”
Want more?
Find the founder of Right Coast Pro, Renegade Trained Athlete, Certified Sr. Renegade Trainer, Renegade Training’s Sergeant at Arms, Kettlebell Specialist & DMC Professional JJ.Johnston on social media:
Facebook: JJ Johnston
Google+: JJ Johnston
Twitter: @rightcoastprojj
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RightCoastPro, or any employee thereof. Examples used within this article are only examples. RightCoastPro is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the authors of this article.
The information provided in this article, as well as this web-site blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice for any condition. Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. The information provided in this column is not medical advice and relying upon it shall be done at your sole risk.
