Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. But in order for your muscles to grow, you need the right post workout recovery. It all starts with the 3 R’s:
When you work out, you burn glycogen (carbohydrates stored in muscle) for energy. You need to replenish it by consuming carbs.
Working out breaks down muscle. You can help repair and rebuild your muscles by consuming proteins with essential amino acids.
When you sweat, you lose electrolytes. Drinking fluids with electrolytes will rehydrate your body.
We’re all guilty of pushing our bodies too far. But when do our bodies need a break? Here are some signs to help you determine just how much time to take off:
If you’re not making gains, you could be over or under training. It’s time to adjust your workouts.
Even if you’re getting lots of sleep, you might need more rest between workouts to feel your best.
If you can’t get it going at the gym 2-3 days in a row, you might need more recovery time after your workout.
Anxious energy can be a sign that your recovery isn’t quite where it should be. Got snark? Take a day off from working out.
Soreness is normal. Soreness that sticks around isn’t. Sounds like you need more rest between workouts.