It wouldn't be wrong to say that gymming or working out is no longer an option, it is a necessity. You need to incorporate it in your daily routine to stay fit and active. And this applies to all ages. Experts agree that a certain amount of physical activity can help maintain your health as you age. And then of course, there is the urban obsession with losing weight. Many embark the fitness regime to look well sculpted and toned up, burning all those fats and making more muscles.
Nonetheless, apart from lifting those heavy weights, doing push-ups, lunges and squats and running on the treadmill tirelessly, there are a few points you should keep in mind post your workout. Firstly, immediately after you have worked out, it's important to do a few stretching exercises, as it reduces injuries and helps relax your muscles. While exercising, your muscles are left tightened. Stretching helps to reset your body to its natural position and posture. "Not all muscles need to be stretched post your workout, so focus only on hitting those areas that are left exceptionally tight from the workout", recommends Mukul, Fitness Trainer at Sumaya Health Club, New Delhi.
Secondly, it is essential to watch your diet before and after you have worked out, to ensure that you achieve what you desire. While a pre-workout diet is supposed to be easy on the stomach while giving you the required burst of energy, the role of your post-workout meal is to ensure that your body has all the supplies it needs in order to recover. "I ate whatever I wanted after gymming and still remained fit," said no one ever.
Read ahead to know that it is not only your selection of exercises which are important, but many other aspects you need to keep in mind post your workout regime.
1. Eat Within 30 Minutes of Your Workout
What you eat post your workout plays a key role in impacting muscle gain. After doing a strenuous workout, one should eat a 'recovery' meal as soon as possible. According to Dr. Anju Sood, who has been working in the field of nutrition for about 25 years in Bangalore, one should have a protein-rich meal within half an hour of their workout and should avoid carbs if one wants to tone up. "Fat is the culprit", she asserts.
Our body uses up nutrients during workouts, so post-exercise meals are all about providing the body with what it has lost for repair and healing. In fact, it's the recovery after exercise that really helps in terms of building strength,endurance and lean muscle tissues. Not recovering properly will make you weak when you go for your next workout, and also increase your injury risk.
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