Are you trying to get in the habit of working out but just not feeling motivated? Or, maybe you’ve been working out for a while and you’re not seeing results. There are many factors that can lead to that sluggish feeling and to a lack of results. Here are a few tips and tricks to better support your workout routine.
Drink Up!
We’re talking about water, of course. It shouldn’t come as a shock that hydration plays a huge role in body function. Your body uses water to aid digestion, regulate body temperature, help your organs function, and improves circulation. It’s even important on a cellular level. Dehydration can keep you from sleeping well too.
This means that not drinking enough can lead to that tired and sluggish feeling. It also means that your body simply isn’t going to have the means to effectively take on a tough workout. When your body doesn’t have enough resources to fuel other functions, it’s not going to perform well when you’re taking on extra work.
Restrict Alcohol
On the same note, drinking alcohol can significantly impact the quality of your workout. This is partly because drinking alcohol leads to dehydration, which will restrict how capable your body is.
It’s also because alcohol consumption affects how much time your body spends in the recovery sleep stages, REM and deep sleep. In deep sleep, your body works to recover damage to muscles that were done while working out. REM sleep helps you process your day and mentally prepares you to take on the next day. If you’re not getting enough quality sleep, you’re not going to recover and your workouts are going to feel bad.
Energize Beforehand
You can also energize before a workout to get the blood pumping and help you feel ready to push hard. For a natural energy boost, try peppermint or lemon Young Living Essential Oils. Diffusing these oils will give you the energy you need for a tough cardio workout.
Pre-workout is another way you can energize before a tough workout. Pre-workout contains caffeine and will make you feel pumped before a high-intensity workout. Be sure to find a brand that doesn’t leave you feeling jittery or shaky though.
Eat the Right Things at the Right Time
A high-carb snack before your workout can also help give your body the energy needed to push hard. If you’re working out to lose weight, and you’re also restricting calories, you may have found yourself feeling hungry, shaky or unable to complete a workout. If this has happened to you, consider eating a little more one or two hours before your workout. Focus on simple carbohydrates. This will help give your body a little extra fuel to take on the workout.
Eating enough protein can also have an impact on your workout. If you feel you haven’t been seeing results, you may not be eating enough protein. If you’re trying to gain muscle or impact your body composition, you need to eat a significant amount of protein throughout your day. Try eating .8-1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Split this up into meals that you eat every three hours. Your body cannot process more than about 30 grams of protein at a time efficiently.
Stretch and Recover
Finally, recovery is a big part of the workout process. Take the time to stretch every day. Stretching will help keep your muscles flexible and from getting overly sore, making you more ready to take on the next day’s workout.
Working out is one part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Support your workouts by developing healthy habits and you’ll get much more from them.
Tags: exercise, fitness, health, lifestyle, protein, water, workout
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