Tips On How to Fuel Your Body for An Active Lifestyle

Image via Rosie Popa

If you are anything like me, you are no stranger to flirting with the line of pushing your physical and mental self to the limit, at times neglecting to provide your body with what it needs to perform at its full potential. I have learned the hard way how to listen to my body and what it needs, fuelling my body in a way that is optimal and sustainable for its best performance. As I have done the groundwork for you (you are most welcome), I’d like to fill you in on some tips I have learnt along the way in my career as a professional athlete that has enabled me to sustain an active lifestyle, fuel my body to perform on the world stage and embrace myself as a strong and powerful person.

Food is fuel

Think of your body as a car, without a compatible fuel source the car can malfunction, and perhaps burn through its fuel too quickly or the lights are on but no one is home, the hazards are on and you’re crying on the side of the road trying to figure out how to suck out the diesel from a petrol only tank… before you know it, you might have a broken-down car. Our body needs food that will sustain us for the journey. Ensure you are choosing healthy, sustainably produced, and high protein foods to sustain you for longer.

Quality, sustainably produced food

I have found making small changes to eating healthier food that is sustainably produced, minimally processed, and has a high protein quality helps me feel fuller for longer, but also helps to satisfy and sustain me for the daily demands I ask of it, especially as a professional athlete. I am a huge fan of the Paris Creek Farms organic quark range, a super versatile option that is ridiculously high in protein, made with certified bio-dynamic organic milk and really easy to digest. Perfect on its own or an addition to other dishes (sweet or savoury), this is a great go-to when I’m on the run and need something to hit the spot.

Eating healthy snacks, regularly

I like to eat often to maintain my energy levels rather than wait until the hangry monster rears its ugly head, trolling the supermarket or ravaging the pantry for the first thing it (not ‘me’, ‘it’) sinks its claws into before demolition. If ‘it’ makes a cameo appearance every now and then, I make sure I’ve got a stock of healthy snack options available, that could be as simple as a serve of the Paris Creek Farms Organic Greek style yogurt range with cut up strawberries and some crunchy organic peanut butter – the mix of textures, sweet, nutty and thick and creamy yogurt is really something else.

Rest and rejuvenation

Even if we tick all the boxes, eat organic healthy food that is free of genetic modification, 100% certified bio-dynamic organic and packed with probiotics, but are not nurturing ourselves with rest and rejuvenation, we will not be able to sustain a busy, fulfilled, and well-rounded active lifestyle.

I have learned the best way to be able to get the most out of myself is nourish my body with delicious and healthy fuel, as well as giving myself permission to stop, slow down and recharge. Our bodies are incredible organisms, capable of doing extraordinary things when nourished and cared for properly.