You’re an athlete. You train hard and train often. Some days, you even work out twice. How could you possibly be gaining weight — and not the kind you want? When you’re not gaining muscle mass, something has to give…and that’s you. You have to give yourself the tools, the time and, yes, even a few treats to stay focused and on track.
Ever struggled through a workout, feeling weak, depleted and ready to give up after only a few minutes? If you’ve been there, done that, you may have made the one fitness mistake that’s easiest to avoid.
Searching for the right sports supplements can be… slightly overwhelming. There are inexpensive products that taste great and mix quickly, but a quick glance at the ingredients reveals a laundry list of chemicals and scary, unpronounceable compounds. Then there are natural products that only half-dissolve, leaving behind little clumps that certainly do not taste like cookies or cream. Blegh.
Now, there is another option: NEW ARO Black Series sports supplements, available exclusively at Vitacost.com.
Q: Which is better for athletes: animal protein or plant protein?
Brandon Marsh answers
A: There are two sides to every coin. Neither is right nor wrong. What is always right, however, is listening to your body.
Pre-workout routines are easy. You eat a light, healthy meal about an hour before exercising, mentally plan your session, pump yourself up with motivating music, stretch, warm up and get to it. But what about after your workout?
Q: I have heard a lot of great things about chia seeds, but how can I incorporate them into my diet?
Brandon Marsh answers
A: I like to think of myself as a bit of a “foodie,” because I enjoy spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new and different ingredients. Of course, my love for cooking is complemented by my love for sport. So when I read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall, I was intrigued by the benefits of chia seeds. The book explains how chia seeds were a staple of the Tarahumara Indians, who are famous for their long-distance running prowess. With this knowledge top of mind, I cooked up a few ideas of my own.
Being away from home is no excuse to not work hard. In fact, to see results in fitness, you HAVE to step out of your comfort zone! And there’s no better test of your strength and willpower than finding ways to exercise while traveling. Get ready to get stepping, because my hotel workout guide is no walk through Central Park.
