Refuel, Repair, Rehydrate: Post-Workout Eats For Each Exercise

Confession: I didn’t really like working out much… that is until I got my hands on some sports bras that actually got the twins under control. Now I’m really digging my workouts… that is until I’m post-workout hangry and reaching for the most convenient, yet least satisfying crap I can find. I’ll spare you the long backstory and just get to the plant-based protein of the matter. You gotta eat after you workout. More than that, you gotta eat the right stuff in order to refuel, repair, and rehydrate.

Refuel

  • Refuel your glycogen (carbohydrate) stores to avoid muscle tissue breakdown and low energy.
  • Lack of glucose to fuel the brain can lead to decreased alertness and concentration, and low mood.
  • Aim for high quality carbohydrates sources (think wholegrain breads and cereals).

Repair

  • Repair damaged muscles with protein.
  • Consuming protein post-workout will provide amino acids for the building and repair of muscle tissue. This will help you to recover more quickly.
  • Aim for lean protein sources (think eggs, nuts, legumes, tofu and dairy).

Rehydrate

Post-Workout Foods

Here’s a breakdown of what you should be eating after your workout according to your preferred exercise.

Cardio

Cardio includes running, spin class, and any endurance training. It’s important to replenish your carbohydrate stores after any cardio routine. Think foods that are high in quality carbs, protein, and healthy fats.

  • Whole grain toast with peanut butter and banana slices
  • a banana and a handful of nuts
  • 1-2 slices of whole grain toast with either ricotta and fruit or cottage cheese and tomato (try this delicious recipe)

Yoga and Pilates

It’s important to repair tired muscles after any yoga or pilates routine. Protein and low GI carbs are key here. Think foods like tofu, hard boiled eggs, roasted vegetables, or trail mix.

  • Yogurt and muesli that contains fruit and nuts
  • chopped veggies and hummus
  • two hard boiled eggs with a slice of multigrain toast

Resistance, Strength Training, Crossfit

These are the most intense workouts of the bunch. Nutrient dense foods are essential. Think foods that are high in protein and other nutrients, but low in fat (especially if muscle gain is your goal). Smoothies are an excellent choice, but if you need something more think eggs, oats, yogurt, and pineapple. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that may help reduce inflammation brought on by exercise.

  • omelet with red or green bell peppers and spinach
  • fruit salad (remember to include pineapple!)
  • overnight oats- simply combine oats, yogurt or non dairy milk, mashed banana and chia seeds and place in the fridge overnight. It’ll be ready for tomorrow’s workout

Source: HuffPost

Wellness Trends to Look For in 2018

I had a major crush on this boy that was way into Tai Chi and who (spoiler alert) turned out to be a totally self important tool bag. Considering he was so wrong about so many things, I started to firmly believe that Tai Chi is ridiculous because, ya know, there’s no “I” in denial. But with the new year comes the opportunity to restart, rejuvenate, and reinvent yourself. Even though I’ve come to see the practice of Tai Chi as a reliable red flag as any, this new year is already telling me otherwise. Tai Chi classes have already started making their way into a gym or park near you. Alas, this low impact exercise is perfect for reducing stress and creating calm in both mind and body. Still bitter. I probably need to work on that. Wellness is all about mind, body, and soul, right? So, what else is 2018 bringing into the world of wellness? Here are just a few things that we’ll be seeing more of this year.

Indoor Air Purification

As world leaders continue to compare missile sizes, and pretty severe weather patterns are devastating entire regions, we can’t help but notice environmental effects on our overall sense of wellness. Clean water has been a concern for decades, but this year, expect to see more talk about indoor air purification.

After you painstakingly planned your diet and really got yourself into a successful workout routine, breathing in the comfort of your own home should be a no-brainer. Sadly, dust, mold, and other pollutants have been putting a strain on that otherwise quiet existence for some time now. Searches for air purifiers and air purifying household plants have already increased by nearly 300% and we’ve only just begun.

Fortunately, there are some pretty awesome air purifiers available on amazon. For larger spaces in your home, this tower-style HEPA air purifier with a charcoal filter is a workhorse, clearing the air of allergens and odor from pets and smoke. For smaller spaces, like your bedroom nightstand, this cute purifier will filter out 99% of the allergens in the air. Best part, they’re extremely affordable.

The Importance of Self Care

Mindfulness in meditation has been trending for a while now. The idea is to be present in the moment and gradually let go of the thoughts that produce anxiety and adversely affect our mental well being. This trend is going to have some company this year as self-care becomes more and more important. Whether the emphasis is on caring for your body through restorative post workout stretches or snacks (Huel and Althletic Greens have been my saving grace), getting enough sleep, or slipping away into a spa-like bath, the principle of self care is no longer a luxury. This year, it’s a necessity.

 Well + Good predicts…

From athletic gear, to women’s health, to brain-boosting supplements, to craft Kombucha elixirs, to gut health, and beyond. Those trailblazing folks over at Well+Good have rounded up their Top 18 Trends of 2018. It’s so worth the read. I don’t know about you, but bio-hacking and high-tech sleep sound uh-mazing!

4 Homemade Sports Drink Recipes to Beat the Heat

It’s brutally hot here, you guys. That yucky humid heat that just lingers and sucks all of your energy smooth out of your body. Because of this weather, my usually temperate home yoga routine has inadvertently become hot yoga for two days in a row now. Anyway, after yesterday’s hot yoga session I was feeling a little light headed and super thirsty. Fortunately, the hypochondriac in me immediately diagnosed my symptoms as being the tell tale signs of mild dehydration. I needed a sports drink fast not only for the electrolyte replenishment, but if for no other reason, the placebo effect. Hypochondria is real, y’all.

Anyway, these homemade sports drink recipes will have you feeling fully hydrated and raring to go no matter how hot the weather gets in your neck of the woods. With ingredients like coconut water, fruit, and even herbal tea, you’re getting all kinds of healthy goodness with delicious flavors to match. Best part is you can totally skip all the unnecessary sugars and additives that you’ll find in traditional sports drinks. You must try this!

1. Cucumber Lime Electrolyte Refresher

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 2 limes, peeled
  • 1½ cups coconut water

Directions

  • Juice the cucumber and lime in a juicer
  • Mix with coconut water
  • Serve chilled or over ice

2. Homemade Gatorade

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

  • In a blender, add all ingredients and mix well
  • Serve chilled or over ice

3. Watermelon Electrolyte Booster

ingredients

  • 1 quarter of a watermelon, seeded
  • 2 large glasses of coconut water
  • 1 pinch of Himalayan Sea Salt

Directions

  • In a blender, add all ingredients and blend well
  • Serve chilled or over ice

4. Herbal Cooler

ingredients

  • 4 cups herbal tea
  • 2-4 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

  • Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in the fridge
  • Serve chilled or over ice

This Video of Beautiful Men in Kilts Doing Yoga is Everything

Let’s all go ahead and try to forget the fact that ‘Men in Kilts Doing Yoga’ would make a pretty rad 80s band name. Let’s also try to forget that the music in the clip,  though not 80s style awesome, is totally savage. We gotta focus here on what’s important. This right here is video proof of my working theory that kilts just make everything better. I don’t know about you, but I am totally inspired for today’s workout! Thanks again, Scotland!!!

The genius behind this amazing video is Finlay Wilson a Dundee, Scotland based yoga instructor. Fortunately for those of us who aren’t in Dundee, you can check out Wilson’s online classes here. On a serious note, this guy is not just a pretty face and an awesome body, he’s actually seriously inspirational in terms of his story and his focus on modifications for poses. Check out the bio below from his yoga channel:

Finlay is the founder of Heart Space Dundee, providing specialist services to all sectors of the community specialising in work with children, special needs, disability, injury and cancer rehabilitation. Finlay is a Certified Forrest Yoga Teacher and has assisted Ana Forrest in Peterborough, working closely with her on adjustment and energy work. Finlay came to Yoga for his own rehabilitation after surgery on his legs and uses his experience, knowledge and sensitivity to work with people with complex physical needs. He continues his education through a daily Yoga practice and study of biomechanics and functional anatomy.

Finlay is equally passionate that radiant health comes not just from posture, but from managing scar tissue through bodywork, processing emotionally through Forrest Yoga, and eating nourishing, nutrient-rich foods in as whole a form as possible. This rule of four (posture, scars, emotion, nutrition) defines his daily practice and passions. Finlay offers bodywork sessions and private Yoga sessions to help you achieve radiant health and can offer guidance on various ways to achieve your goals.