Exercise the Right Way

Your effectiveness of exercise routine (which includes your stamina, mood, calories burnt etc) depends on when and how much of food and beverages you consume. One should be able to coordinate your drinks, meals and snack to make the most of one’s exercise routine.

Don’t skip meals:

Don’t think of skipping a meal, as they tend to leave you light hearted and lower your blood sugar levels.

Eating before working out:

If you eat a lot before your session you might end up feeling sluggish. Worse still you can land up getting stomach upset, develop cramps and diarrhoea. This happens because there is an intense tussle between body muscles and the digestive system to use up the energy. Exercising with an empty stomach can be really bad as well resulting in low blood sugar levels that will make you tired, faint and weak. This would also affect your mental ability to react fast.

Best workout:

The energy you got after having dinner has been used up by morning, so get up early have a healthy breakfast.

Your meal portions also affect the timing of your exercise; keep a gap of at least 3-4 hours between your meal and workout if you have had a large meal. Small meals two hours before exercising should be eaten.

Meal after workout:

One should consume a protein and carbohydrate rich within two hours of your exercise session if possible. Women may require protein post resistance training.

Carbohydrates:

Carbs form your body’s main spring of fuel. Exercising is a better experience if you have a high carb low fat diet. Cereals, pasta, vegetables, breads, rice and fruit are good sources of Carbohydrates.

Protein and fats:

They are important for your body but not the most important. Protein does have an important function in repair and growth of muscles. Protein sources contain: Meat, Dairy products and nuts. One should avoid fat before exercising.

Water:

Drink plenty to avoid dehydration. Water in your body ensures your ability to carry on physical activities. While exercising, your body produces heat which leads us to perspire, hence fluid is lost. Fluids lost from your body should be replaced immediately, else your heart rate might increase, your body heat may rise and you can invite the risk of getting dehydrated.