Why The Post Workout Period Is Important For Nutrition
In the topic of how to build muscle people often look for unnecessarily complicated answers when the basic principles still work just fine. Today we shall examine one of those proven principles, the post-workout nutrition window. We are going to explain it for you step-by-step and get rid of some of the general myths surrounding it for you.
Like most things in life, you tend to get best results when you keep things as simple as possible. When it comes to building a better body that rule is certainly true.
If you are a regular exercise enthusiast or trainer you may or may not have already heard people at your local fitness center or health spa talking about this. For a while it was simply a rumor, an almost mythical ‘golden period’ after a training session where your body would be able to make fantastic strides forward if you used the time wisely. It has since been proven to be a fact, of course, and today we’re going to answer the most commonly asked questions. These include:
* How long does this golden window last?
* What type of foods should I eat in this period?
* Why does this window even exist?
* What should you expect if you fail to hit the golden window?
We’ll be discussing all of the questions above. The magic window is something which occurs after you complete an exercise session. Basically your body is trying to replace all of the nutrients it has just lost.
Your muscles are starving and they want to eat immediately. Whatever you decide to eat in this short period will be consumed as quickly as possible by your body. Try providing it with an already nutritious option and you’ll notice that your body is able to make the absolute most of it.
The window itself is believed to last approximately 45 minutes after you finish a workout, meaning you have three quarters of an hour to get some food into your muscles.
That generally removes the confusion from the second question above, which is asking what type of foods you eat. You want to hit your body with nutrients during the 45 minute post-workout period therefore should avoid foods which are going to take a long time to be broken down and used up. So ignore the complex carbohydrates…
The optimal post-workout meal is a combination of a whey protein shake, mixed with water for even quicker digestion, with some simple carbohydrates. The problem with simple carbs, of course, is that they are usually associated with fatty foods and it would be silly to eat junk food after a tough workout. So think about using a bowl of cereal or some fruit instead.
During this small post-workout period our body will work to make the most of absolutely any food we provide it with. But if you make an effort to provide it with only options which are healthy in the first place you practically double your success rate here in one easy move.
If you miss the window you probably won’t realize it. It doesn’t mean your workout was for nothing, it just means it could have been slightly better overall. People have been training for years now and still have no idea this even exists, so it’s not going to be the end of the world by any means.
Knowing how to build muscle or how to lose weight effectively is one thing, of course. Doing it is another thing entirely. You’re now the proud owner of the information many people in the gym never discover. Use it wisely and it can push your own results to the next level.
About the Creator: Russ Howe PTI is the UK’s most subscribed fitness instructor who shows men and women how to build muscle and how to lose weight. Check out his free guide next to kickstart your progress in the gym.