Whether you're headed home after a Total Body Burn workout or a great Zumba sessions, you've busted your tail
and now it's time to relax.
Or is it? A little couch time might
seem in order, but that doesn't mean the work is done. After a hard workout,
your body becomes super receptive to nutrients, so proper eating in the hour
after is crucial. Don't slack off now. Hit the kitchen for your Shakeology
recovery shake within the first 10 minutes of wrapping up, and allow 30 to 45
minutes for it to absorb before eating anything else!
When Nietzsche said, "That
which doesn't kill us makes us stronger," he could have been talking about
a good workout. First of all, exercise burns through your blood sugar as well
as your glycogen, your body's back-up sugar supply. Meanwhile, it drains your
electrolytes and fluids and causes micro-trauma to your muscles. That last one
typically happens more often with weight training, but just about any intense
exercise breaks down (and subsequently builds) muscle to some degree. Just look
at a swimmer's shoulders or a jogger's legs if you doubt this.
Protein is critical after a tough
workout because it works to repair your muscles. This is due to the fact that
protein is comprised of amino acids, which serve as building blocks for muscle.
If you can get some protein in your body fast, it can jump-start the recovery
process. With 16 to 18 grams of quality protein in each serving, Shakeology
works great as a muscle building tool and is absorbed perfectly after a
work-out because your body in its depleted state is extra receptive to the
nutrients.
The next mode of action is
replenishing your blood sugar. In order to do this you need carbs. There are 17
grams of carbs in each serving of Shakeology, which when taken with protein
post-workout, can both replenish your body and keep you satisfied, so you don't
overeat or suffer through that "I'm starving" feeling, which can lead
to unhealthy meal choices.
The final two pieces of the recovery
puzzle are electrolytes (specifically potassium, sodium, magnesium, and
chloride) and water, all of which you lose when you sweat. The magnesium,
sodium, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in Shakeology will boost your
electrolytes, and if you want to get even more, make your shake with coconut
water. As for rehydrating, I hear there's a new thing out there called
"water." You might want to research it. :)
