There is power in your food! Never underestimate the power of
food to get you through a workout and beyond. This goes for beginners
and professional alike. A few years back there was a professional
triathlete named Brad Kearns that went on a crazy diet. This wacky diet
only had one rule, eat nothing but fruit until noon each day. During
this diet Brad continued to workout many hours a day. Three months had
passed and Brad noticed something, he had not lost any weight and he was
struggling to finish all of his races. "I was so starved that I was
eating straight out of the jar," he recalls. "Your body doesn't like you
messing with it. You have to eat." You also need to drink a minimum of 8
glasses of water per day or 9-13 if you are exercising on a regular
basis. This is especially true before, during, and after your workout.
There are some things that you need to do before you workout. Growing up, I am sure that you always heard you need to wait at least one hour before you go swimming, but the opposite is actually true. You need to actually eat within an hour of your workout. Within an hour of working out it is recommended that you eat at least a couple of hundred calories of complex carbohydrates, such as a bagel or piece of toast. A little protein may also be eaten with this if you are about to embark on a workout that is going to last an hour or more.
During the majority of your workout you will not need to eat anything unless you feel a major dip in energy. If you are going for a 3-hour bike ride, and than looking to swim a mile you better bring along some fuel. Energy bars are a great choice. They are many to chose from, but the most popular are Powerbars or Clif Bars, or if you don't prefer those you could have a frosting like gel such as GU of Power Gel. These choices are also very easy to carry along with you. Also, for workout that last longer than an hour, sports drinks are a great idea. Many sports drinks provide fluid as well as sodium and easily digestible energy that water just can't provide.
Many people believe that if they eat right after they workout they will destroy all that they just did. Not true. If you eat an hour after you workout you body is more receptive to replenishing your energy. The best after workout fuel is a snack that combines carbohydrates and protein.
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There are some things that you need to do before you workout. Growing up, I am sure that you always heard you need to wait at least one hour before you go swimming, but the opposite is actually true. You need to actually eat within an hour of your workout. Within an hour of working out it is recommended that you eat at least a couple of hundred calories of complex carbohydrates, such as a bagel or piece of toast. A little protein may also be eaten with this if you are about to embark on a workout that is going to last an hour or more.
During the majority of your workout you will not need to eat anything unless you feel a major dip in energy. If you are going for a 3-hour bike ride, and than looking to swim a mile you better bring along some fuel. Energy bars are a great choice. They are many to chose from, but the most popular are Powerbars or Clif Bars, or if you don't prefer those you could have a frosting like gel such as GU of Power Gel. These choices are also very easy to carry along with you. Also, for workout that last longer than an hour, sports drinks are a great idea. Many sports drinks provide fluid as well as sodium and easily digestible energy that water just can't provide.
Many people believe that if they eat right after they workout they will destroy all that they just did. Not true. If you eat an hour after you workout you body is more receptive to replenishing your energy. The best after workout fuel is a snack that combines carbohydrates and protein.