Expert: Kimmi - 11/30/2007

Question
Dear Kimmi,
im trainign pretty hard at the moment working on a lot of gymnastics stuff but also am entered on the team for stuntsand dance competitions aswell as nationalsin Summer.
im really excited about it all but i want to improve my fitness.

training os hard and being atuni is finebut sometimes itsreally hard to fit in meals between lctures and practic so i just eat cerials or tuna salads or chocolate! :s

anyhow. i wondered what sorts of things i should be hving to aid improving cardio and streenght fitness.
i really aso need to keep ym flexability going but i presume that more about stretchign than what i eat?

witht he squad we train 3-4 times a week including cardio circuit sessions wihtin practice nd stretchign obviously.
i also attend fitness classes, spinning classes and/or yoga and pilates dependg how busymy schoolwork is for the week.

i wondered what sort of excersises i shjould be doing to maximise my effrts.
ie, how often hsould i do weights, and should i use havier ones or rpt more reps?
should i work in circuits in th gym so using a mix of machines or doone long stint on one thing? should i try to swim aswell/ instead of one of my gym sesisons...does variation of type f excersise give greater results?

and mainly what sorts of foodS? i am generally haealthy, i dont eat pizzas or chips atall often.

i just heard of people wo train who eat 5-6 smaller mealsa day...wou you recomend this? and is all th hype about high protien and protien shaes reall worht listening to?

thankoyu for all  any of your help, regards
Evax

Answer
Hi Eva,

   A lot of stuff in your question is all opinion stuff. How many meals to eat, which exercises are best - these are all a matter of opinion. As to how often to exercise and do weights and such you should ask a fitness expert. As to eating, I don't believe in athletes dieting, but you should always try to eat healthy. Pizza and chips are even ok in moderation. Everything is ok in moderation. Your life should never be about restricting what you eat, just about being smart. Many people do think that it's better to eat 5-6 small meals instead of 3, but in order to decide this, you need to look at your life. Do you have the time to eat 5-6 small meals or not? Do you have the self control to stop eating when your small meal is done or do you need a larger meal to sustain you? These are things that you need to consider. Anywho, ask your exercise questions to an expert in that area so that you get a good answer. Good Luck!
Happy Cheering!
Kimmi