Shaan Stevens-Nutrition for Exercise
- 12 years ago
Shaan Stevens,Shaan Stevens-Nutrition for Exercise,Better Workouts
Aside from keeping your body fueled with healthy calories, there are a few other things you can do to make your workouts better:
Stay hydrated. The ACSM recommends that you drink around 16 or so ounces of water two hours before your workout for optimum performance and then sip water throughout your exercise program (and after!). Water should be your first choice for fluid replacement unless you're working out for longer than an hour, at which point you can switch to a sports drink.
Avoid exercising on an empty stomach. Eating before your workout will ensure your body has the fuel it needs for stamina, endurance and performance.
Figure out what works for you. Every person has a different digestive system and different needs when it comes to nutrition and exercise. Experiment until you find the right balance of eating and exercise. Some people can get up and exercise without eating at all while others need a full breakfast to get going. There's no one right way to do it!
Get plenty of rest. That means sleeping for at least 8 hours a night (or whatever your body requires) as well as giving yourself recovery days during the week. Working out too much can cause fatigue and possibly, overtraining symptoms.
Keep things interesting. Changing your workouts regularly will not only keep you from getting bored, it will also help you avoid weight loss plateaus.
Be comfortable. Wear workout clothes that help regulate your body temperature so you don't get too hot or too cold.
The most important tip for having a great workout is to do what you enjoy. There's no best exercise or best time of day to workout; it's up to you figure out what makes you happy. Experiment with different types of exercise at different times of day to figure out what you enjoy the most. You'll find it much easier to stick to your program.
Aside from keeping your body fueled with healthy calories, there are a few other things you can do to make your workouts better:
Stay hydrated. The ACSM recommends that you drink around 16 or so ounces of water two hours before your workout for optimum performance and then sip water throughout your exercise program (and after!). Water should be your first choice for fluid replacement unless you're working out for longer than an hour, at which point you can switch to a sports drink.
Avoid exercising on an empty stomach. Eating before your workout will ensure your body has the fuel it needs for stamina, endurance and performance.
Figure out what works for you. Every person has a different digestive system and different needs when it comes to nutrition and exercise. Experiment until you find the right balance of eating and exercise. Some people can get up and exercise without eating at all while others need a full breakfast to get going. There's no one right way to do it!
Get plenty of rest. That means sleeping for at least 8 hours a night (or whatever your body requires) as well as giving yourself recovery days during the week. Working out too much can cause fatigue and possibly, overtraining symptoms.
Keep things interesting. Changing your workouts regularly will not only keep you from getting bored, it will also help you avoid weight loss plateaus.
Be comfortable. Wear workout clothes that help regulate your body temperature so you don't get too hot or too cold.
The most important tip for having a great workout is to do what you enjoy. There's no best exercise or best time of day to workout; it's up to you figure out what makes you happy. Experiment with different types of exercise at different times of day to figure out what you enjoy the most. You'll find it much easier to stick to your program.