You've done your workout and now you're home wondering what to eat...

So you've been super disciplined and have gotten up off the couch and got some exercise in. Well done!

You are home now and wondering will you have something sweet to reward yourself for all your hard work? You are looking in the fridge pondering ....

Here's the lowdown:

Sorry to be a spoilsport but you should give your body food for long term nourishment and not immediate satisfaction. So I guess that rules out rewarding yourself with treats like biscuits, cake, chocolate etc. These are just calorific treats that will give you a quick high due to high glucose levels, followed by a slump due to the sleep inducing hormone serotonin that your body will produce to counteract the high levels of glucose. (giving you a sugar crash). Bummer, eh?
Wouldn't it be such a pity to have this slump after you no doubt coming home on a high after exercising??

You have just burnt lots of calories and are one day closer to your goal, get your nutrition right now and you will be at your goal in no time. If you keep rewarding yourself with calorific treats after exercise you will be a long time trying to reach your goals. Remember you cannot out train a bad diet!!

You need to repair, replenish and recover soon after your workout. During exercise, your body uses the fuel stored in your muscles known as glycogen for energy. After your workout, your muscles are depleted of their glycogen stores and broken down. In order to refill your energy stores and build and repair your muscles you need:

• Complex Carbs
• Protein.     

You need to consume these ideally within 30 - 60 minutes of your workout as in this window your body is primed and ready to accept protein and carbs so it can immediately start putting these nutrients to good use. 

Some examples of good complex carbs would be sweet potato, butternut squash, parsnip, carrots, spinach, whole grain pasta, brown rice, beans, lentils. 

Some good examples of proteins would be lean turkey, fish, eggs, cheese, lean beef, nuts and seeds.

So go on, put away the sugary junk and reward your body with good nourishing food! Your body will thank you for it.

                                  What you eat in private you wear in public.