Nutrition Class 101
NUTRITION RANT AND RAVE
How a Hipster Douchebag brags…………..”I can ride all day on just water and be fine”, or “I can do a one hour interval workout and not drink water and leave a puddle of sweat which is a badge of honor.”
WHY NOT? How many times do I say this on a regular basis. In this scenario, it would be “what is the downside to consuming nutrients and hydration why you work out.”
If you already have single digit body fat, and work as an Assos Bib model then maybe I get your point. You will look GREAT but still be nowhere near your potential on a bike.
The bottom line is simple, if you are not at LEAST consuming electrolytes before and during your ride you are simply either uninformed or an idiot.
And if you do not use nutrition while you train, what are the chances your body is going to properly process said nutrition when you do grace the world by using it.
Fancy powders, energy bars, honey, maple syrup, etc., are all fine. Just use something.
If you don’t want to “waste” the calories then simply do some basic math and work out longer to achieve the same goal. I assume the people that are too good for nutrition are also too good for a proper warm up and/or cool down.
And the puddle of sweat thing? That puddle of nasty shit under your bike is simply wasted energy you could be applying to your pedals. The goal is to have a layer of sweat on your skin that helps cool your body and process the sweat into the air. Base layers and 360 degree airflow work wonders for this as well.
If you weigh yourself before and after your workout and lose substantial weight, you are doing nothing but endangering yourself. You are also going to be able to perform as well as you could on your next ride.
Bottom Line. Find something that works for you, and use it….consistently.
Word to the wise. For those of you who use “on course” nutrition, consider acclimating yourself to it before game day. Example, if Hammer is a sponsor of an event, train with Hammer. If Fluid, is the sponsor, then Fluid. Rinse and Repeat.
