The Zen Of Competitive Running And Complex Carbohydrates

Search:

The Zen Of Competitive Running And Complex Carbohydrates

I decided to put all my energies into being "a hippie" rather than athlete while growing up. So when I reached adulthood, I discovered the gym and running to make up for it. Then I went to the extreme and ran several marathons. I thought I was "really something special".

Within about three weeks into my first training for a marathon, I learned a number of new things. One of the most important was that carbohydrate loading, as they used to call it, was the key to not getting fatigued. And complex carbohydrates were the type to eat frequently.

These little "healthy gems" are found in vegetables, nuts, seeds and grain. Some examples of foods high in starchy complex carbohydrates include bread, cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes, dry beans, carrots and corn. All grains contain complex carbohydrates, but whole grains -- such as whole wheat pasta -- are better for you as they are higher in fiber. One of the best sources of complex carbohydrates is dried beans. They don't need to be combined with anything to give you complex carbohydrates. Dry beans do need to be combined with grains in order to provide vegetarians and vegans with all of the forms of protein needed for good health, but combining dietary carbos are not necessary.

Three or more single sugar molecules linked together to make up complex carbohydrates. Long chains of sugar molecules are called starches and they serve as the storage form of energy in plants. Branched complex carbohydrates called cellulose form the structural components that give plants their shape. Starches digest very easily, but your body doesn't digest cellulose, which is an important component of dietary fiber.

Grains and cereal products all contain complex carbohydrates. Whole grain products also contain fiber, while processed flours have had the bran and husks (thus most of the fiber) removed. Fiber is important for digestive health and can keep the tummy full for hours. Complex carbohydrates should be a major component of your diet; about half of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates - mostly from grains, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates should be used more sparingly.

"Zen" is the experience that many runners have described after a marathon, that is, when the body, mind and soul all meld. A few have described it as an "out of body experience". An out of breath experience was more of what I experienced.

Whether its eating healthy, running, or a combination of them, there is zen involved.

Article Source: http://articlenexus.com

Rick London is a writer, cartoonist, and e-store owner. He founded Londons Times Cartoons and numerous online gift shops including The Rick London Collection. Click on the site and scroll down to "Food, Coffee & Wine" to see the funny products. Hilarious Complex Carbohydrates Cartoon Gifts Click Here

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Running Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Sports & Recreation | Running

People Power – Still Going Strong in Leeds! - By : Matthew Pressman
triathlon nutrition planning - By : Valorie Cherice
Shorts, Shoes, Heart Rate Monitor: The Polar S720i - By : Adam Peters
Burning Calories: Measure Heart Rate With Polar S720i - By : Adam Peters
Brooks Does Offer Cycling Shoes - By : Adam Peters

STOP Paying for Your Ads! FREE Pay Per Click!

Everything you need for your website and home business.
	Adsense Site Builder
	Adsense Analyzer Software
	Clip Art
	Domain Names
	Header Graphics
	Make Money Online
	Photo Art
	Resell Rights Products
	SEO Software
	Web Hosting $4.95/mo
	Website Templates
	Web Site Promotion Tools
AdvancedWebsiteTools.com

	Print This Article
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds

(Your 160x160 ad here)
Only $50 a month-click here

Link Exchange
Blog by WordPress
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
About Us
Contact Us
Banner Advertisements

Have you Victimized by a Business or the Government? File your consumer complaints or business complaints at BusinessReporter.net!

Structured Settlement?
Free information to help you learn more about structured settlements, your rights, and how to select the best company for you.

Affordable Discount Dental Plans
Choose from over 30 top-quality national and regional discount dental plans. Save 10% to 60% on most dental procedures

Classic Autos
Replica Kit Cars

Links

Bad Credit Repair

Hair Loss Remedies

Steiff Bears, Antique Bears

Model Railroading | Model Trains

Fighting Foreclosure

toe nail fungus

Free Diabetic Supplies

Antique Radios | Ham Radios

Crazy Fox Review