IT’S that time again, the gyms are buzzing and everyone is trying to get their bodies in great shape.

Let’s have a look this week at what foods you should be eating to really get the most out of your training and make sure you get great results.

Firstly and most importantly, keep it clean.

Eat natural, unprocessed food and cut out all the processed junk.

Eat foods that are in their original state, foods that are in the same form as they were created.

For example: vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, pulses, nuts, seeds, etc. They are the foods that you generally tend to find in the first few aisles of the supermarket.

Our bodies will happily digest unprocessed foods and put them to good use.

Processed foods contain chemicals and artificial derivatives (toxins) which our bodies just don’t know what to do with.

These toxins will impact on your training and your results.

Our body stores toxins in our fat cells. If you are dieting, but still consuming toxins (processed food), your body will slowly lose fat, but these toxins will have nowhere to go other than back into your system.

This will make you feel pretty lousy.

The effects will be tiredness, headaches and you’ll struggle with your energy levels. Do you remember your first training session? Or coming back after Christmas? Lack of energy, feeling a bit dizzy or faint?

That’s the effect of all those extra toxins you’ve put into your body.

It’s not a nice feeling so, as a result, your body will chose to hold on to fat in order to store the toxins so they aren’t roaming around freely inside your body.

So, cut them out. Gradually your body will get rid of them, so it will feel happy to lose those fat cells as they will no longer be required.

Get the balance right.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help with your energy levels, your focus, your performance and your recovery.

Try to eat a varied balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

We need them all. They are all important in their own way and, if you supply your body with all the nutrients it needs, it will function well, so you can perform at your best and get results.

Hydration. Drink plenty of water through the day.

Dehydration will cause headaches, tiredness and effect your performance at the gym.

Keep a steady supply of water through the day to keep your body and mind in tip-top condition.

Water is sufficient for hydration after exercise. Most people do not need energy or sports drinks after training unless they are doing lengthy endurance sessions.

l To get in touch with Claire, follow her on Twitter @CLKpt or email ckopicki@me.

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