What To Eat Before, During and After Your Workout
Transcript
- 1. Nutrition is as important to the body as gas is to a car. Without proper nutrition our bodies can stall and suffer consequences of mental and physical fatigue. The nutrition an individual needs is dependent on his/her health, lifestyle and level of activity. To optimize your health and energy, you want to be strategic in how and what you eat to support you the needs and demands of your body. It is a general rule however that consuming more calories than you expend results in weight gain, while consuming less calories than you expend results in weight loss.
- 2. A pre-workout meal should be planned with the purpose that it will fuel your workout. It is meant to sustain energy and endurance as you push hard towards your goals. A combination of protein and carbohydrates can prepare your body to burn calories efficiently. The intensity of your workout dictates the amount of protein and carbohydrates you may need. If you are pressed for time, go for a liquid. Tossing your pre-workout snacks into a blender can help you digest and absorb the nutrients your body requires for an optimized workout.
- 3. The nutrients in post-workout meals assist in recovering torn muscles, thereby growing bigger and stronger than before. Protein and Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s) help repair muscle tissue after strenuous workouts. Aim to eat an easily digestible form of protein, with carbohydrates, after your workout. Be sure to keep fat to a minimum because it slows the uptake and assimilation of the protein and carbs. Your post-workout meal should be comprised of a good amount of protein and BCAAs. The meal after your workout is the most absorbent meal of your day – take advantage of this.
- 4. “Metabolism” is defined as all of the biochemical reactions and processes that occur to keep your body performing to any given demand. It’s important to understand that all of your body’s systems will work best when you ensure good nutrition. Speeding up your metabolism helps improve your calorie burning capabilities. Aerobic activity burns calories in the short term, while weightlifting increases muscle mass to increase your metabolic rate in the long run. Proper nutrition helps promote optimal metabolism. Your metabolic rate is a bit mysterious and unique to your body. That being said, improving your lean muscle mass will boost your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories all day long, even while you’re asleep!
- 5. Protein is one of the basic building blocks of muscle recovery and growth. In fact, aside from muscle management, protein helps regulate overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally. Protein needs are very dependent on your health, lifestyle and activity level. If you are very active and engage in strength training, aim to eat 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day. Be sure to space your protein evenly throughout all of your meals. The chemicals and amino acids found in protein help optimize brain functions during periods of intense physical activity.
- 6. Carbohydrates are necessary to replenish glycogen in your muscles and liver for future energy needs. Your next workout will depend on how well you restock your glycogen levels. Be sure to incorporate carbohydrates in throughout the day and most importantly in your post workout meal or snack. Both simple and complex carbohydrates are important to your body. Complex carbs are normally digested in pre-workout meals to provide you with sustained energy over a long period of time. Simple carbs are used primarily in post-workout meals for replenishing expended energy. Glucose is fundamental for physical activity as well as proper organ function. In fact, your diet requires carbohydrates to maintain good health and simple functionality.
- 7. Tracking your progress helps you compare and set goals to develop higher fitness goals while you workout. Utilizing smartphones and other technology is also a great way to keep routine and focus during your regimen. Take some time out to get to know your body and its needs. Try to stick to workouts that you feel naturally inclined to do. Having fun is an important part to keeping your workout innately efficient. Better personalizing your plan can make your exercise a regular award. Fueling your body with high quality healthy foods is your best investment in your health and fitness. By maintaining a smart nutritional diet, you workouts can be longer, thereby raising the bar for you to grow and have greater control over your body chemistry.
- 8. It is very important to take into consideration supplements that are developed to address specific fitness goals. Be attentive to your body’s needs as this will help you choose the perfect workout supplement. Supplements are beneficial for speeding recovery time by helping your muscles repair more quickly. There are a variety of supplements geared for fitness that help the body make more efficient gains from fitness. Post-workout supplements are a great way to supply your body with the nutrients it needs in order to take advantage of the crucial 30 to 60 minute window after your workout session, otherwise known as “the golden hour”.
- 9. Whether you expend energy as a construction worker, training athlete, or just need energy throughout the day, Promax bars deliver the nutrition you require to stay energized, feel great and help your body recover after activity Promax bars are a great option for athletes as well as fitness enthusiasts of all levels. The ingredients in Promax bars include high quality protein and a mix of complex and simple carbohydrates to help you get the most out of your physical activity. You will not find any artificial sweeteners, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, or gelatin in our bars. Promax is all about providing delicious tasting bars to help you optimize your body’s potential and exceed your goals. Visit us online at www.promaxnutrition.com today to learn more.