A Major Key for Enhancing Athletic Performance
BY STEVE BORN
INTRO: Now that we’re into peak training volume and intensity, with our key race(s) coming up soon, it’s absolutely crucial to make sure we replenish our bodies with high-quality carbohydrates and protein ASAP after all our workouts, even the seemingly easy ones. As I have frequently said, this immediate “refilling the tank” with fuel right away after all your workouts is arguably the easiest way to enhance endurance and improve overall fitness. You train. You replenish your body with carbs and protein right away when you’re done. Simple!
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What we do in training is undeniably important, but if we neglect to take the proper steps to recover properly consistently, we will never get the full value out of the time and energy spent in training. Remember, the gains we make in our training occur during recovery but only in the presence of adequate rest and optimal nutritional support. If we don't attend to that, we not only miss out on the benefits of our workouts, but we can also create more problems, such as getting sick or injured. We want to avoid that all year long, of course, but with peak season here, getting hurt or sick is the LAST thing we want to happen!
If your body could literally talk, this is what it'd be telling you after each and every training session:
I'm on empty, and I need the tank to be refilled right away. Feed me with high-quality carbohydrates and protein ASAP—within the first 30 minutes, the sooner, the better—and here's what I'll do for you:
- I'll restock the muscle cells with fuel, so you won't be “on empty” for tomorrow's workout. In fact, I will do you one better. You keep training AND “refilling the tank” consistently, and I'll gradually store more and more minutes of fuel (glycogen) in the muscles. This means you'll have more fuel on board and ready to serve you when you begin your next workout or race. And by the way, this gradual increase in muscle glycogen stores via ASAP post-workout fuel replenishment is really what carbo loading is all about!
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I'll rebuild your lean muscle tissue even stronger so you can continue to make increases in your training volume and intensity without your muscles taking such a beating.
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Speaking of muscles taking a beating, if you will just feed me carbs and protein after you're done trashing my muscular system, I'll decrease the amount of soreness you experience between now and the next workout. No more of this “I can't get out of bed because I'm so sore” nonsense, OK? Oh yes, supplements that will also help, and in a BIG way, include Creatine Boost, AO Booster, and Super Antioxidant.
- I'll help support your immune system so that you can maintain your exercise/training regimen, not sitting inside under a blanket feeling rotten from being worn down and sick. Refueling me ASAP after your workout will tip the scales in favor of stronger immunity. Taking the above-listed supplements will also benefit your immune system tremendously.
If this all sounds like a good idea (and why on earth wouldn’t it?!?), you’ll want to give your body what it needs to accomplish the four above-listed benefits. And what your body needs is Recoverite or Vegan Recoverite. These outstanding recovery drinks give your body the necessary complex carbohydrates and protein it’s craving, as well as other important nutrients that will help it recover quicker and more completely.
Recoverite contains complex carbs (maltodextrin) and whey protein isolate (the most bioavailable protein) in an ideal 3:1 ratio, 3 grams of glutamine, a full-spectrum electrolyte profile, and key nutrients such as L-carnosine for recovery and immune system support.
Vegan Recoverite contains the same ingredients in the same amounts as the original Recoverite formula, with the exception that organic pea protein is the protein source. Organic pea protein is an easily digested, gluten-free protein with an excellent amino acid profile, including branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are three recovery-enhancing amino acids.
Summary
We're not getting close to peak training and racing season.. we are there! At this time of the year, that means a lot of high-volume, high-intensity workout sessions, as well as your "A" races. Refueling your body right away after all your workouts and races is important all year long, but right now, it is an absolute necessity. Blowing off ASAP post-exercise refueling at this time of year, or only doing it sporadically, will most definitely spell disaster because your body won’t have the “raw materials” it desperately needs. And that means that instead of getting stronger and having more endurance, you’ll end up staying sorer longer, you won’t have much available energy for the next day, and you may very well find yourself getting sick and missing out on important training sessions and races.
Don’t let that happen!
Starting immediately, adopt the philosophy that your workout is NOT done until you put some fuel back into your body. That means...
- Before you get out of your sweaty workout clothes
- Before you get in the shower
- Before you do your stretching
- Before you get on with the rest of your day
...take just a few moments to put the high-quality fuel, Recoverite and Vegan Recoverite, into your body. THEN your workout will be done, and you will have kick-started the recovery process in an ideal fashion.
