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?
The same old post-workout protein shake gets b-o-r-i-n-g! But before you begin resenting your blender or giving up on recovery fuel altogether, mix things up — in a different, yet very delicious, way. We warn you, though. You’re going to need a utensil to enjoy these new and improved protein powder recipes.
Have you resolved to lose weight in 2013 – but seem to be stumbling? Wishing for a way to support weight loss safely? The latest studies indicate that eating more protein just may be your path to weight loss success.
We all want to gain fat-burning, lean muscle, but in order to do so we have to feed our muscles protein. If you don’t get enough protein from the foods you eat, your body’s ability to make new protein slows down, and it may even break down existing protein (i.e. muscle tissue) in order to supply its needs. If your body starts breaking down its own muscle tissue, your metabolism slows down further, which results in burning fewer calories and fat.
Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to work you go – with no time for breakfast. If that’s your tune each morning, it’s time to do something nice for your body and mind: Eat that first meal of the day before you leave the house. Eating breakfast (and we’re talking about something more substantial than a cup of coffee laden with cream and sugar) gives you energy to kick-start your day.
The winter holidays can seem like a fat trap for dieters. From Thanksgiving’s “eat all you can” celebration to the cookie exchanges to the mega-mall food court to the “try this” holiday party buffets, it’s one temptation after another. Think weight gain is inevitable? Not if you plan ahead!
Give your blender a break! Protein powder makes nutritious shakes, but it’s also an easy way to up the protein content of pancakes, yogurt and many more of your favorite foods. Watch Jennifer Nicole Lee’s latest Vitacost Tip of the Day video to learn just how far a simple scoop can go.
