The importance of physical activity

 

To maintain our healthy weight

We expend energy daily to make our heart beat, breathe, think... and also move! Physical activity contributes to the balance of our daily energy balance, that is to say the difference between our energy intake (what we eat) and energy expenditure (our expenditure in terms of calories).

 

In other words, regular physical activity, coupled with a balanced diet, allows us to spend the calories provided by food or stored in our body. It thus contributes to maintaining our healthy weight and therefore helps to avoid unnecessary weight gain.

 

For the maintenance of our general state of health

Practicing physical activity is a source of many benefits: it is an essential element to stay healthy. A healthy diet without physical activity is not always enough!

 

Sport notably helps to reduce stress (whose negative effects on health are now proven), to strengthen the heart, to prevent the risk of diseases linked to overweight and obesity, or to boost the immune system.

 

But beware: if a healthy diet must be supplemented by regular physical activity to stay healthy, practicing physical activity without a suitable diet can be ineffective.

 

Food: an essential source of energy

 

Physical activity allows us to burn calories and therefore expend energy.

But to practice a physical activity correctly, it is necessary to have sufficient energy intake! Contradictory ? Yes and no, because to be effective, you have to be able to "support" the efforts made, obviously all the more so if they are intense and frequent. The key is therefore to find the right balance:

Firstly, quantitatively: having enough intake to provide the energy needed for physical activity while avoiding excess intake which could promote weight gain. In some cases (slimming diet), it is possible to limit the intake in order to allow the use of energy reserves already present in the body, and thus promote weight loss.

 

qualitatively: care should be taken not only to supply macro-nutrients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates) but also to cover micro-nutrient needs (vitamins and minerals).

These are indeed essential to allow the proper functioning of our different energy metabolisms.

 

Food: a major influence on our athletic abilities

 

A good diet has many beneficial effects for young and old athletes alike.

 

It has a direct impact on our sports performance, in particular by allowing us to better support training sessions. Because to progress, you have to train! Which means exerting effort, feeling tired…

To be effective, our body must therefore be in the best conditions, and a good diet is an essential ally.

 

In addition, as part of the preparation for specific deadlines such as a competition, dietary adaptations may be put in place to further optimize the possibilities of performing on D-Day.

 

Food: an essential component for recovery

 

After the effort, a suitable diet and hydration contribute to an optimal recovery by avoiding hypoglycemia, body aches or fatigue.

 

They also make it possible to replenish the various reserves of the body and contribute to the prevention of the risks of certain injuries.

 

 

Love has been a top athlete and vegetarian for 15 years, here is his opinion:

 

The vital balance requires a good diet and a healthy lifestyle in general.

 

My first nutrition goes through breathing and visualization, so I practice Qi Gong every morning, then I take a glass of water and then I have breakfast.

I never do the opposite...

 

To be able to play sports as I do and be well in my daily life, I try to respect a healthy diet and hydration.

Eating well and exercising contribute to my vital balance...