Time to Exercise

To lead a healthy life it is to coordinate what you eat with your exercise regime.

Perfect timing: If you eat too much food before exercise you might end up with a stomach upset, cramps and diarrhea. As your muscles and digestive system start competing with one another for their energy resource. If you don’t eat anything before exercise you might lower your blood sugar which can leave your feeling weak, tired and fainted. Your mind can also be affected and it can result in slower reaction.

Getting most of the workout: Have a nice healthy breakfast; make sure you wake up early to do that. As you get most of your energy from the breakfast you eat.  If you have to exercise within an hour of your breakfast have a small healthy meal. Have 5-6 small healthy meals during the day. Avoid eating snacks right before your workout.

Don’t skip any meals: Skipping meals can cause lowering your blood sugar levels.  For some of the people eating nothing for less than an hour before exercise can lead to low blood pressure. As to each his/her own, find out what is best for you.

Eating after workout: You should eat a protein and carb rich meal after your workout so that your muscles can recover and you can replace the glycogen in them. Eat the meal not later than 2 hours after the workout.

What do you eat: Giving your body the right energy is essential for the best performing workouts. You need to focus on what you eat to get best results from your exercise.

Carbs: They are the main source of fuel to your body. By having carbohydrates that are you would feel better during your exercise. Your diet should have 50% of the calories coming from healthy carbs. Good sources of carbohydrates are bread, cereals, vegetables, rice, pasta and fruits.

Healthy Fats and Protein: These are essential, but they are not as important as carbs. Protein plays a key role in repairing your muscles and your overall growth.  Protein rich food contain dairy products, meat, nuts etc.

Fat are also important, though you should have them in small quantity. Have unsaturated fats in food like fish, nuts, vegetable oil etc.

Water: Water keeps you dehydrated throughout the day, have at least 8-12 glasses of water daily. Chilled, warm or normal water is perfect in any form.  Water is considered the greatest way of replacing lost fluid. If you exercise for more that 60 minutes you need your dose of sports drink besides water which will help you maintain the electrolyte balance in your body and give extra much needed carbs to your body.