Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of an athlete's career. Still, many athletes do not realize the importance of this or they're just simply clueless about the subject. Not knowing anything about nutrition will lead to bad habits that then result in an unsuccessful career. Take for instance bodybuilders who take weight loss to the extreme before a competition. Extreme weight loss produces a lot of stress on one's body and this can lead to a difficulty in increasing muscle mass and strength over the long-term. You can avoid falling into the trap of a poor nutrition program by maintaining a log of your food and caloric intake, and making sure you follow the key nutritional guidelines for bodybuilders in training.

Many misconceptions surround nutrition. Fairly recently, high protein diets have become popular. However, limiting yourself to eat only protein has its downsides. Catherine Jackson in her book "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete" maintains that a high-protein diet often causes irritability and lowers endurance in an individual. This can be remedied by initially consuming adequate amounts of calories. Below are some warning signs indicating that you might have poor nutrition and some tips on how to get back on track.

Get enough protein from a variety of sources - Strength is an important factor in maintaining a regular training program and too little protein affects strength. Do not solely rely on protein drinks and bars for your daily protein supply. Eat lean proteins such as chicken, tofu and egg whites to make sure you're getting enough of this nutrient in your daily diet.

Being moody and irritable - Moodiness and Irritability is actually brought about by low blood sugar. This can be interpreted as a sign that you're not eating enough carbohydrates. In addition, a lack of carbohydrates will affect your ability to focus. Maintain healthy blood sugar levels by eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day, combined with protein to slow down blood sugar absorption.

Increase in sick days - Being sick all the time is a sign that your immune system is weakened. Make sure you're getting enough B-vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods to stay on the right track.

Decreased speed - If you've been focused on increasing endurance but can't get past your usual times on the treadmill or during your sprint sessions, you may not be fueling up or eating before your workout. Eating carbohydrates at least one hour before training will give you the energy you need to bring you back to speed.

Lack of motivation - Losing drive is often a sign of exhaustion. Make sure you're eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady level of energy. Successful athletes typically consume a small ‘meal' every 2-3 hours to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and sustain themselves through a training program.

Your training efforts would not mean much if you're not following a sound nutritional plan. Consider taking natural supplements, such as Stemulite, to strengthen your nutritional regimen. It's hard to get all the nutrients you need while training, specially if you are on a diet. Combine Stemulite with a sound nutritional plan for better performance and a healthier life.