Electrolytes, potassium & personal trainers

Sometimes it is easy to know when things need replacing. If you notice the milk is running low then it just a case of running to the shop and getting yourself another bottle. But our bodies can run low on all sorts, without us realising that it is time to get replacing. 

A perfect example of this is when we lose electrolytes during exercise as we sweat. The level of these chemicals in our bodies, including calcium, magnesium and zinc, are constantly decreasing and that means that they need to be at a sufficient level before we even start working out. 

Potassium is a chemical that plays an important part in helping our bodies to function correctly. In particular, a diet that is low in potassium can contribute to high blood pressure levels. Luckily you can easily consume enough potassium every day, provided that you are eating foods that possess it in high enough quantities. 

And despite what people might think you don’t need to adopt the diet of chimpanzee! Bananas are undoubtedly the most talked about source of potassium but there all different types of food that you can eat to make sure that you get plenty of potassium. Other good sources of potassium include potatoes, nuts, meat and fish. 

As with most of the chemicals that we need, potassium can be easily supplemented. But as always it is far better to get all the nutrients that you require from your diet. A perfectly designed nutritional plan is one that delivers all the nutrients you need in the quantities that you need them. 

Maybe you are just thinking – so what!? Okay, your diet might be low in potassium but what difference does it really make? Well certain health problems in later life are believed to be preventable if you maintain the recommended daily intake of all the different electrolytes. 

We have all heard that success in the gym is greatly determined by your success in the kitchen, so any subtle changes to what you eat can have an amplified effect on your results in the gym. And don’t forget that all recommended intake levels are the minimum for healthy function. So don’t worry if you find yourself exceeding these numbers – it’s better to regularly exceed them rather than regularly missing them.

Designing an eating regime needs to include more than the right levels of just fats, carbs and proteins. Our understanding of the human body has improved so much in recent years and people have never been fitter. 

But you can’t expect to just find the perfect diet plan surfing online. What you eat should be specifically designed for you based on things like your current physical ability, your age and, most importantly, what you want to achieve. 

That is where a personal trainer can be even more helpful. A personal trainer isn’t someone that just pushes you when you are in the gym, they need to be actively involved in your lifestyle as a whole and that includes helping you to decide what foods to eat and which ones you are best staying away from.