How To Avoid Binging After Your Workout

​Exercise has many fabulous benefits. It can make you stronger, faster, smarter and more beautiful. What is not to love about exercise? Except, it can make you tired and sore. It can also make you hungry and, if you are trying to lose weight and cutting calories, the hunger can be overwhelming. 

A good strategy is eating in a way that your body has enough energy to power your workout and having a plan for replenishing yourself after exercising.

• Drink two big glasses of water at least 45 minutes prior to exercising, to be fully hydrated.
• Eat fruits and vegetables. They have a lot of water that is released as they are digested. Like a watering can for the body.
• Drink coffee or tea. Even though caffeine is a diuretic, you get more fluid than you lose.
• Avoid juice or sugary drinks. They can cause a blood sugar crash.

Include more protein in your diet

• Eat half your body weight in grams of protein daily. Remember protein encourages the liver to convert stored fat to glucose for energy.
• Include cold water fish like salmon and tuna
• Plain greek yogurt is a good source of protein.
• Make a protein shake for a double whammy of hydration plus protein. Many packaged protein shakes are mostly sugar so remember to read the label.

Plan ahead

• Dehydration can feel like hunger. Rehydrate after a workout, before eating.
• Plan or pack a snack with protein for after your workout, if it is between meals. For example, an apple with some cheese or almonds, blue corn chips and smashed avocado or a plain greek yogurt with berries.
• Be aware if how much and what you are eating. It is easy to eat more calories than you burned exercising, if you are hungry.

In a different, kinder, and more generous world, exercise would be a free pass to eat junk food, sweets and treats.  In reality, exercise makes eating well even more important. Think of it this way, your active body is like a high performance sports car. It is gorgeous and agile and it needs premium fuel.

By: Linda Soloniuk, RN, MA
Redding Laser Tattoo Removal
reddinglasertattooremoval.com
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