#8fitChallenge Week 2: 80% of your success depends on this

Fitness is only 20% of the puzzle. What you eat plays a huge role in helping you transform your body – 80% to be exact — which means that you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. 

Before we dive in, understand that there’s no right way to eat. Each body functions differently. If you feel great, don’t let yourself be influenced by clever marketing, fad diets or unreliable nutrition advice. Below, we’ll provide you with tips to help build the foundation for healthy eating. Learn how to make delicious, healthful meals with wholesome foods so you can reach your fitness goals faster.

Tip #1: Focus on macronutrients, not calories

The three macronutrients — protein, fat and carbs — are the building blocks of any nutrition plan. It’s often thought that following a specific ratio is the key to success, but this doesn’t say much about the nutrients in each macronutrient. Those of you with an 8fit meal plan will notice foods with a certain percentage of macronutrients — a range that we select to help you reach your goals.

Tip #2: Carbs & metabolism

There are complex carbs (whole grains, quinoa, amaranth, rice, oatmeal and beans) and simple carbs (sweeteners, candy, soda, juice). Fuel your body with complex carbs and combine them with protein and/or healthy fat because this will help the blood sugar to stay constant.

Tip #3: Have protein with every meal

Focus on minimally processed, local, and organic sources of protein when possible. Great options include fish, poultry, lean and organic meat, eggs (preferably organic), low-fat dairy, tofu, beans (black, kidney, lentils, and chickpeas). Goal: Have protein with every meal and every snack to reduce cravings and give you constant energy.

Tip #4: Don’t forget fats

Focus on healthy fats from sources like nuts, seeds, avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, and cold-pressed canola oil. Limit your consumption of deep-fried and processed foods which often contain unhealthy trans and saturated fat. Goal: Get your fat from unrefined, unprocessed sources

Week 2 challenge details

This week, post a photo or video of your favorite healthy 8fit meals. Tag #8fitChallenge and #8fit in the caption. If you don’t have an 8fit meal plan with an 8fit Pro account, here are a few recipes you can try.

We’ll select 1 random winner for the weekly 8fit prize pack from photos shared starting at 12:01am PST on April 16, 2018, and ending at 11:59pm PST on April 22, 2018. Winner announced on Instagram April 23, 2018!