Whether you’re trying to cultivate muscle mass, trim body fat, or just maintain your current fitness level, one thing is certain; sticking to a healthy diet is more than half the battle. Having a proper nutritional plan is imperative when trying to reap all of the benefits that working out can have. But what if you’re unsure of how to come up with a plan on your own? By teaming up with our nutritionist on Long Island at FoodandFitnessPro, you’ll be able to receive the proper nutritional advice to help you crush your workouts!
Before The Start
Think of your body as a car. Would you ever go for a drive with your vehicle’s gas tank on empty? The answer is no, and the same is true about working out. If you do not properly fuel your body before exercising, your energy levels will be diminished, making your workout less efficient. If possible, you should begin to fuel around two hours before your exercising begins. To get the most out of a workout, make sure you:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid heavy amounts of saturated fats and protein.
- Eat healthy carbs and whole grains such as brown rice, fruits, vegetables, and fat-free yogurt.
Mid-Workout
Depending on the intensity of your workout, it may be beneficial to receive sustenance during your exercise. Workouts lasting less than an hour typically do not require this. However, for longer-lasting workouts, experts recommend intaking between 50-100 calories worth of complex carbohydrates every half an hour. Doing so will allow the body to properly recover.
Finishing Up
Fueling for your workout does not end once you leave the gym. Long after you’ve stopped running and put the weights down, the body continues to work by burning calories and building muscles. To accommodate this, you’ll need to replenish the body of all liquids and nutrients that were lost during the duration of your workout. Our nutritionist on Long Island recommends doing the following to achieve this:
- Drink lots of water. This should be done during all facets of a workout.
- Ingesting protein after a workout will allow the muscles to recover and help them grow to the desired levels.
- Carbohydrates are also useful for muscle recovery and growth. Make sure an ample amount of healthy carbs are consumed after a workout.
FoodandFitnessPro – Local Nutritionist on Long Island
Whether your goal is to drop a few pounds or to truly crush a tough workout, the foods you eat play a very important role. The experts at FoodandFitnessPro understand the relationship between food and one’s overall health, which is why we aim to spread awareness and teach our clients about the many benefits associated with proper nutrition. To learn more about proper nutrition and how it can change not only your workout but your life, contact our nutritionist on Long Island today!