BY STEVE BORN
Listen to your body
If your body could literally talk to you after you've finished a workout, this is most likely what you'd hear:
Thanks for that great workout today. Yeah, I'm a bit trashed at the moment but it's all good. Hey, if you'd like to be able to do workouts like that again tomorrow and in the upcoming days, I'm going to need your help. Look, I know that you're more than ready to get out of those sweaty clothes, take a nice, long hot shower, maybe rest for a while, then go do something fun. Got it.
Before you do that, though, take just a few moments to give me some fuel replenishment. It won't take long at all - the sooner you do it, the better you'll feel, and the quicker you can get on with enjoying the rest of your free time.
If you give me what I need right after your workout, I'll reward you handsomely for all of the work you did in your training session. Feed me with high-quality carbohydrates and protein, and here's what I'll do for you:
1. I'll restock muscle cells with fuel so that you won't be on empty for tomorrow's workout. In fact, I will do you one better - I'll store MORE minutes of fuel in the muscles, which means you'll have more fuel on board and ready to serve you when you begin your next workout or race. That'll definitely help increase your endurance!
2. I'll rebuild lean muscle tissue even stronger so that you can make increases in your training volume and intensity without your muscles taking such a beating.
3. I'll decrease the amount of soreness that you experience between now and the next workout. Remember that killer workout you did where you forgot to replenish me? What happened? That's right, you were barely able to get out of bed the next morning. I know you don't want to spend all day feeling sore. You'd rather have fun and enjoy the day, so let's not go there again, OK?
4. I'll help with immune system support so you can be active outside, not sitting inside under a blanket feeling rotten from being worn down and sick. That's a big zero on the fun-o-meter. Refueling me ASAP after your workout will tip the scales in favor of stronger immunity.
What I really want is a nice, cold serving of Recoverite. That'll give me much-needed high-quality carbs and protein, as well as some other important nutrients - glutamine, chromium, L-carnosine, and electrolytes - that will help me recover quicker and more completely. Recoverite is super easy to make, tastes great, and flat-out works.
Remember, the workout's not really over until you replenish me with fuel. So right after you're done with the training session (within the first 30 minutes - the sooner the better!) remember to take care of me so that I can take care of you. Mix a couple of scoops of Recoverite with water, drink, and you're done¦ simple! You've just put the best possible "finishing touches" on your workout, and you've given me - your body - the perfect head start on tomorrow's workout.
