The Right Food Fuel For Your Body's Workout Regimine - Part I

Starting the New Year off to a healthy and physically fit start can be very challenging. At the celebrated closing of 2010, we've eaten to our hearts content with savory roasted meats laden with creamy gravies, rich starches with gooey cheeses, decadent sweets and don't forget the thousand of consumed empty calories we've celebrated with alcoholic beverages.

So in getting our "sexy back," I have listed a few helpful tips to get us on the right track to feeling and looking our best for 2011. Don't forget your diet is 80% in conjunction with your workout routine. So stay focused and you will see great results.

To help maintain an active lifestyle your daily calories should come from carbohydrates.

Don't cut the carbs in your daily diet routine. Carbs are good for you. Carbs help keep you energized by maintaining blood sugar levels, and they play a key role in helping your body recover after exercise. Choose fresh fruits, root vegetables (carrots, beets, sweet potatoes) and whole grain products such as, pasta, brown rice, barley and whole wheat bread. Just be certain to consume carbs during the day so your body can effectively burn and use as energy.

To stay healthy and physically fit, it's best to incorporate fats into your diet.

Yes...FATS!! (The good FATS that is!) The body needs some fat in order to properly maintain. Similar to a well-oiled machine. In addition, fats provide essential fatty acids and vitamins. Heart healthy, unsaturated fats that come from fish, olive oil, nuts and avocados are excellent choices to incorporate into your diet and workout routine.

A half hour before you begin your workout routine grab one of these beneficial snacks.

Trail mix or a granola bar are a good source of healthy, energy-boosting carbohydrates. Trail mixes and granola bars are also typically easily digested. They also have a little bit of fat and protein for slow-release energy, making them the perfect snack to sustain you through your high-intensity workout. Personally, I like to keep a snack size package of organic trail mix in my purse for an all-day, anytime snack. It helps prevent the junk food urge!