What do you bring with you when you are getting ready to work out? Phone, keys, wallet? Hopefully a water bottle is among your list of necessities as well, but it turns out that hydrating during a workout isn’t the only thing to think about (some even advise against it). It’s just as important to hydrate prior to your workout to make sure your body is prepared for all the sweat it’s about to eliminate. Drinking a few glasses of water an hour or two before your workout will allow your body enough time to absorb the water so that you don’t feel bloated when you start exercising.
H20 isn’t the only important intake to consider when you’re getting your exercise fill. Often times, the motivation for working out is to lose weight. Because of this, we’re reluctant to eat before or after our workouts, because we’re afraid that putting those calories back into our bodies will counter the effects of the calories burned. Whether your goal is to lose weight or gain muscle, it’s important to make sure that you’re fueling your body with foods that facilitate the process, as a lack of proper nutrition will leave you feeling drained and can even harm you.
Nutritionists recommend that you eat a small snack 30 minutes to an hour both before and after your workout to give your body the energy it needs to carry out these actions in the healthiest way possible. These snacks should be a combination of carbohydrates and proteins— fruits, nuts, protein shakes, eggs or cheeses are all good options. Make your snack a combination of any of these, keeping it below 300 calories but above 150.
As a given, make sure you know your limits— don’t lift more than you’re capable of, and know when it’s time to turn off the treadmill, because while getting the right fuel for the fire is necessary, it doesn’t make you invincible. Great nutrition is imperative for great results, and you get out of it what you put in (literally). Try out these tips if you’re not already implementing them into your workout routine. You’ll feel better, and your results will be that much more noticeable. And, if you’re ready to bring your workout to the next level, give us a call at (855) 496-4899″>(855) 496-4899!
