If you are like most women, you want to know how to have your carbs and eat them too. Carbohydrates have gotten a bad reputation over the years for causing women to put on weight fast, but this is a myth for the most part. The type of carbs that you eat, the amount and the balance with other diet building blocks play an important role in how easily they are burned. Exercise is crucial to burning carbs, so don't expect to sit around eating pasta and bread all day doing nothing, but you can find ways to eat them in moderation and still look great.
Aerobic Exercise
Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is key in burning up all those delicious carbs that you eat. Carbs are easily burnt during moderate to high-intensity aerobic exercise. In fact, they are the first fuel source to be used during this time. You do not have to go run a mile after each carb-laden meal that you eat, but it is a good idea to keep this in mind when meal planning for the week. If you are desiring a bowl of pasta, do it on a day where you also plan to partake in aerobic exercise. Your body will thank you for providing it with energy, and you will be happy that you got to burn the calories and carbs from that delicious meal you ate for lunch.
Strength Training
Carbs supply your body with the energy you need to accomplish difficult activities, such as weight lifting. When combined with lean protein and healthy fats, carbs provide your body with enough energy to skip using protein as its source of fuel. This means that the protein that you eat can go into building new muscle instead of fueling the muscle that you already have. Perform strength training at least two days per week to make it part of an effective workout routine for your fabulous body.
The Right Way to Eat Carbs
You need to eat enough carbs each day, as well as the right kind of carbs, to make them work for you successfully. Sound complicated? It's actually pretty easy and simple. Make sure that you're eating 2.3 to 3.6 grams of carbohydrates per pound of weight each day. This is a good balance that will provide your body with what it needs to work effectively. Focus on complex carbohydrates from whole fruits and veggies, whole grains,and sports drinks that contain carbohydrates instead of simple carbs from white flour, sugar and other unhealthy sources.
Other Considerations
Eat five or six smaller meals per day instead of three large squares, as these are easier to burn off with your normal daily activity. Eat meals high in carbs earlier in the day, as you have more time to burn them off, but don't kill yourself making that happen. A carb-heavy meal can be a good thing the night before a competition or race where you need to be in your optimal energy zone. Lose your fear of carbs and embrace them for providing your body with the energy it needs to be healthy and fit.