Staying hydrated is also really important.
Hydrate pre-exercise with 2 to 3 cups of water, 2 to 3 hours before exercising.
However, for longer stretches of movement, it can be really important.
(The darker the honey, the more disease-fighting compounds it contains.)
More often than not, you do not need to splurge on sports drinks or coconut water.
Try drinking 7 to 10 ounces for every 20 minutes of exercise, per theAmerican Council on Exercise.
In one study, people given flavored water while exercising drank more than exercisers given plain water.
Post-workout:
The hard part is over: you have finished your workout.
But that is not where performance stops.
Recovery eating is important for moving towards your goal or even warding off soreness and inflammation.
After a workout, be sure to replenish with a mix of protein and carbs.
When you are able, opt for whole foods over highly processed protein bars or shakes.
Contrary to popular belief, your muscles repair themselves and grow during recovery, not exercise.
Check out these foods to confirm you are getting the most out of your movement.
Don’t like milk?
Substitute with a post-workout snack of banana and peanut butter or Greek yogurt.
Tart cherry juice delivers antioxidants that mop up the harmful free radicals produced when you exercise.
And research shows that a daily dose of cherry juice may help ease inflammation that causes sore muscles.
However, with longer bouts of activity, fueling can be really important, from hours before to afterward.
