The
Purpose of Post FXB Workout Nutrition
The
reason the time after your workout is called the “anabolic phase” is pretty
simple to understand. Anabolism refers to the “building” (or even “rebuilding”)
of something. Sometimes we try to overcomplicate a healthy lifestyle when, in
fact, it can be pretty straightforward.
In
the most basic terms, your POST workout meal is the meal that plays the biggest
role in supplying your body with everything it will need to repair, replenish, recover and adapt to
the kickboxing or band class you just completed.
Specifically,
the goal of the POST FXB workout meal is to accomplish the
following:
·
Replenish
muscle glycogen (the fuel stored in muscles) that was depleted during your
workout.
·
Reduce
muscle protein breakdown caused by exercise.
·
Increase
muscle protein synthesis (the rate at which your body uses protein to
rebuild).
·
Reduce
muscle soreness and fatigue (who couldn’t use that!).
·
Greatly
enhance overall recovery.
·
Reduce
cortisol levels (the stress hormone that triggers our body to store
fat).
How
To Do It
To
make ALL of the above happen successfully, your body only needs 2
things:
1.
Carbs
2.
Protein
Yes
you read correctly, the same 2 things your body needs before your workout are
the same 2 things your body benefits from after your
workout.
So,
your primary goal with your POST FXB workout meal is to consume a significant
amount of both carbs and protein in some form soon after
your workout.
But,
why soon after?
Because,
after your workout, your body is primed and ready to accept protein and carbs
so it can immediately begin putting these nutrients to good use doing all of the
awesome things you want it to be doing (you know building abs and burning
fat).
For
those reasons, its most often recommended to consume your post workout meal as
soon after your workout as you can.
I
don’t mean put-down-the-bands-and-start-eating, or eating while cleaning the
bags! However, this meal should ideally be eaten within
the first 60 minutes after your workout.
So,
your biggest goal with your POST workout meal is to consume a good amount of
both protein and carbs sometime within the first 30 minutes after your
workout. Now, when we say "carbs," we are not talking about carbs from foods such as baked goods, sodas, french fries, etc. You want to choose carbs with the most benefit. Choose those packed with fiber and non-refined sugars. Examples of good carbs would be appropriate-sized fruits, veggies and foods containing whole grains.
As long as you are doing that, you are on the right track and on your way to Living at Level 10!
Great job everyone!
The
FXB Andover& New Hope Team
