Here's How to See Faster Results from Strength Training
Whether you love spending time in the gym or not, you want your hard work to count for something. Strength training is an excellent way to tone your muscles and to improve your health. The secret to seeing better and faster results with strength training relies more on what you do outside of the gym. You can do hundreds of weight lifting reps, but none of your hard work will be visible if you eat poorly and continue on in bad health habits.
Here are the top things you need to do to ensure the best strength training results.
Aim for a small meal after a workout.
After you have worked your muscles hard, give them the proper nutrients to help them excel. An easy to digest protein and carbohydrate mixture is best. For example, an apple with nut butter or a banana blended with some water and protein powder. You will undo all of your hard work if you treat yourself after a hard workout.
Eat every three to four hours.
You will also want to keep your metabolism going strong by eating a small and healthy meal every three to four hours after your workout.
Stay active in between weight sessions.
Even though you do not weight train every day, it is still important to remain slightly active. Active recovery helps improve your blood flow and promotes healing. Staying active in between strength training may also decrease inflammation and reduce stiffness and pain. Try doing light cardio, such as swimming, biking, or walking.
Keep stress away.
Stress is a horrible thing that will hide your results. Too much stress produces cortisol, which in turn leads to more fat around the waist. Also, cortisol is catabolic, which means that it eats away at muscle and strength. Keep stress from ruining your hard work by finding the right de-stressing activity for you. Try stretching, yoga, meditation, and other relaxing activities during the week.
Don’t forget your sleep.
Don’t forget that good health starts with good quality sleep. Your body needs enough sleep to recover. Good sleep helps reduce stress and inflammation too.
Healthy living goes farther than just what you do at the gym. To see the best results, eat clean and take care of your mental health and happiness too. Another way to keep your health in top priority is to visit The Joint for regular wellness adjustments. Regular adjustments may decrease back pain and neck pain, making it easier to workout.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Oliver Liegmann