Blog Takeover: Meet Michael.
My name is Michael, and I am from Morrison Colorado. I am 61, very active and plan on remaining so, well, forever. I have always loved playing hard and competing when I could. Whether it was neighborhood kids games, little league, high school athletics, college football or now as a Masters and Senior level track and field athlete I have enjoyed competing and playing to the best level possible. Now, more than ever nutrition plays a key role in my successes.
As a kid I just ate what was placed on the table by my Mom or friends Moms. As long as it tasted good it was chow time. This continued into college where part of my football scholarship was a meal plan – all I could eat. That said, this was a significant turning point in my thoughts on food and beverage and performance. I began to notice how some foods made me sluggish and were simply bad fuels for my system. I love Taco Bell, always have, but a couple of burritos the night before a game followed by pancakes, bacon, sausage the morning of a game obviously was not a good choice to sustain energy and physical endurance for a game. Amazingly true, I ate like this – once. Lesson learned and so many more to come as I have aged and continue to compete.
Now more than ever, especially as an older adult, the nutrition from foods I put into my system can make or break the workout or performance at an event. Nutrition truly makes a significant difference. My wife and I will plan out the week and take into consideration types of training and when my body needs the best nutrition. We prepare the majority of the foods we eat staying very clean for 4-6 days a week. However, there are going to be times we are at an event or eating with friends and family and the menu may not be perfect for my needs. Keeping this as an occasional moment I will have fun with everyone else, but keep an eye on portions. You have to have fun in your life and not become a prisoner of food. Just be smart, enjoy and get back on a better track as soon as you can. I have actually learned to enjoy clean well rounded meals and keeping portions appropriate, both important factors in nutrition plan success.
I am not an expert in nutrition by any means. I have learned a great deal through experience and knowledge gained from professionals such as Brooke. Excellent nutrition has kept my body performing at a very high level and has simply kept me a much healthier aging man. I simply cannot place enough value that an individual plan can do for anyone at any age. An athlete or simply someone trying to live a stronger healthier life should take this proper step. I had someone tell me once to think about how my car would run with bad fuels, we are no different.
- Michael