The days can be long, no matter what season we’re in. Sometimes, the last thing you feel like doing is getting up early to go to the gym or going on a bike ride after work. There are times when you feel like that because you’ve had a stressful day and there are times when you feel like that just because you haven’t got enough energy. When your goal is to exercise, you need to make sure your energy levels are high. Here are some ways to energise yourself before a workout.
Don’t Skip Meals
The average adult skips at least one meal a day. Whether you don’t have enough time to eat breakfast before you run out the door or you work through your lunch break to get things done, you’ll find yourself feeling sluggish come mid-afternoon. The food you eat is fuel for your body and without fuel, your body won’t run. You must make it a priority to eat well during the day and never skip a meal.
Get Hydrated
Many people think that this is only important during the warmer months, but staying hydrated is something everyone should do all year round. How does this affect your energy? If you become dehydrated you may get headaches, feel light-headed or generally unwell. Your energy levels deplete when you don’t feel yourself, and the last thing you want to do is get up and exercise. Staying hydrated keeps you in your best form.
Lay Off the Energy Bars
It may seem like common sense to eat an energy bar or drink an energy drink when you need a boost, but they won’t do you much good. These drinks and snacks are designed to give you a quick boost, rather than prolong natural energy. When you feel you need to eat or drink something, go for a banana before your workout for a natural release of energy and drink a sports drink that replaces electrolytes once your workout is finished.
Motivation
Sometimes, there’s nothing better to boost your energy than someone else spurring you on. Doing it alone is hard work, but you can get great advice at www.1on1fitnessandwellness.com. Having a fitness coach or a partner with you on each workout means you won’t quit ahead of time. You’ll also notice that the more exercise you do, the more energy you’ll have.
Add Protein
There’s a reason that bodybuilders drink protein drinks before and after exercising. It won’t give you the energy you need but it will help to prolong the energy you already have. That means you can workout for longer and harder. It also helps with aches and pains. Having a good amount of protein in your diet will ensure you recover quickly from intense workouts. When you can’t add the things you need to your diet, try taking a supplement to ensure you get everything you need. A good multivitamin will work wonders for your energy.
When you’ve done everything else, all you need is the right attitude to make sure you’re getting out and enjoying your exercise.