Fueling yourself in the right way requires the same effort as planning your daily exercise routine.
If your meal is not planned carefully in accordance with your schedule you may not be able to finish your workout nicely or reap all its benefits.
Eating right before and after the workout session provides energy to your muscles to keep going and also prevents overexertion.
The pre-workout meal provides you with energy for peak performance. It plays a crucial role in muscle contraction.
Emphasizing on the importance of planning your meal correctly before a workout, below are some tips you need to keep in mind while planning your pre-workout meal.
1. Do not exercise on an empty stomach
Exercising on an empty stomach is just like running a car without fuel. No matter how much effort you put in or how long you exercise, if you do not have the energy to finish the workout correctly, you may burn valuable energy sources and have less stamina. Besides, overexertion and low blood sugar level may also leave you lightheaded and dizzy after your workout session.
2. Do not drink tea or coffee
Having a cup of tea or coffee in the morning may make you feel energetic, but soon it can lead to an energy crash. Tea and coffee both are dehydrating and exercising after taking tea and coffee may make you feel more dehydrated. You may feel dizzy, your muscles may feel stiff and you may feel extremely tired after your workout session.
3. How should you plan your meal?
You do not need to have a plate full of food before your exercise session. The idea is to eat something light, healthy and nutritious, so that you have enough energy to complete the workout session. Choosing the correct food in the morning may help to provide fuel to the muscles, ensure optimal calorie burning and prevent muscle sprain, strain and injury.
4. What can you eat
Whether you are exercising in the morning or in the evening, your pre-workout meal should be light and healthy. Stuffing yourself right before the workout will make you feel uneasy and sleepy. Have a fruit or a handful of dry fruits about 10-15 minutes before the workout. If you are planning to exercise after a small meal or snacks, wait for 60 minutes. In the case of a heavy meal, it is good to wait for 90 minutes to make sure that the food is completely digested.
5. Planning your post-workout meal
Just like your pre-workout meal, your post-workout meal should also be planned carefully. Eating protein and healthy carbs after an intense workout session may help to repair your muscles and help to re-energise you. Make sure you eat something within 30 minutes after your workout. It helps to repair and build muscles
