Fueling your day is as important as picking the right fuel for car. Have you ever noticed that your car needs a certain type of Octane to run at optimal level? If you put the lowered tiered gas in then it may chug and break down. Your body is the same. Give your body sugary, starchy, processed foods and it will not act as well as if you fed it organic, whole foods.

Recently I was asked how I fuel my days. How do I fuel my workout? What motivates me? What music do I listen to when I work out? All great questions.

Motivation Monday

Transformation Tuesday

Wacky Wednesday

Throwback Thursday

Flex Friday

Staturday Saturday (get your stats)

Sunday  Funday

 

Questions:

Q: What do I eat or drink pre-workout?

Q: What do I eat or drink post-workout?

A: This varies based on the workout. Low impact or slow workouts that do not require jumping or endurance do not require much in terms of  fuel from me. Also the time of the workout. Is it first thing in the morning or is it later in the day? Am I teaching a group fitness class or I am actually doing the workout? Am I doing spin or going for a long distance run? One thing I always do it drink about 8oz of water as soon as I wake up.

Yoga: Nothing. I just do it whenever. I love doing Yin and often fall asleep in class. I don’t want a pre-workout jolt. Post yoga I’ll drink water or eat a meal as scheduled. Sometimes this is a banana or a salad.

High Intensity Interval Training: (HIIT): I love doing HIIT workouts in the morning. 99% of the time, well, lets be honest 100% of the time I will take a pre-workout drink and do the HIIT workout first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I’ve tried C4 (bought it from GNC) and it didn’t care for it. It made me too tingly and the box had a warning label on it. No thanks. For the last 2 years I’ve been drinking Energy & Endurance by Beachbody. They recently launched  Energize and I’m trying that one now. Last week I ordered a pre-workout product from Eat the Bear. I’m waiting on it to arrive.

Post HIIT workout I usually drink a recovery drink or go right to having a Shakeology. Most of the time I don’t have breakfast or a meal before the workout so I’m ready for something but I don’t actually want to eat food. My energy is up and my hunger hasn’t started. However, I do want to fuel my body and keep my muscles repairing. Having an empty stomach for too long doesn’t work for me. Water is a must during my workouts. I’ll take a few water breaks and make sure I have it after too.

Why drink pre-workout drink? I feel like it pushes me to work out. Once I drink it then I must workout within 20 minutes or I will break stuff.  I love ones without warning labels and that have natural ingredients. If you find it difficult to get yourself moving in the morning they you should give a pre-workout drink a try.

Spin: These workouts also depend on timing. If it is an early 5am spin class I rarely eat anything before. I’ll just drink water during the class and then a recovery drink after class if over. Within an hour or 2 after the recovery drink I’ll eat a meal.

Long distance running: (anything over 7 miles) I’ve run in several 1/2 marathons and use different fueling for these. I’ll drink water upon waking and then a Shakeology and a 1/2 banana. Right before I begin the run I’ll have a pre-workout drink and bring some blocks with me on the run or a hydrate drink in place of water. After the long run usually another 1/2 banana and recovery drink.

The most important thing for me is to listen to my body before I workout. Most days I do go through the motions and have my pre-workout drink and then kick myself in gear.

When I’m training I do not drink as much alcohol. 1/2 marathon training doesn’t lend itself to being hung over or having a dry mouth. I will also limit salt and processed foods. (Chinese food or lunch meat)

Q: What type of music or motivation do I listen to when I work out?

A: At Home: When I’m at home doing a workout I’ll just follow the DVD. Insanity Max 30, Cize, Body Beast etc. They all have music, inspiration and cues to get through the workout. Funny how no matter how many times I’ve completed an Insanity workout I will not get bored with it. I will push and let the trainer on the DVD motivate me to last longer.

Running: When I’m running on the road or the treadmill I usually have a playlist. Most are upbeat recent hits. I’ll also throw in a few old school things like Frank Sinatra or Al Green. I will pick fast music with a good beat to keep my feet and brain moving.

Stair climber, bike or rowing machine: If I’m on a really boring machine then I may listen to a personal/self development book. One of my favorites is “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero

I spent years of my life not being active. Now that I enjoy working out and the feeling working out has on my mind and body I enjoy trying new things. I would have never discovered Beachbody products if I wasn’t opened minded enough to stop drinking EAS products. I’m looking forward to trying some of the Eat the Bear product line to see how that impacts my workouts. It may be time to sign up for another 1/2 marathon soon.

Motivation is external. Inspiration is internal. I’m inspired daily to push forward and help others. I know how many years I spent on the couch doing nothing. I know how great I feel now that I’m off of the couch. I never thought in a million years I would be a 1/2 marathon runner. I never thought I would complete a triathlon. I never thought I would be a group fitness instructor.

Motivation & Inspiration:  Staying connected to happy, positive goal-driven people is a major key to my success. You must do what works for you and continue to change it up if you are bored. You must also be open to trying new things. Sign up for that 5K. Take that class at the gym. Try that home workout program. Go to that new restaurant. Don’t be stuck on the treadmill of life always going at that same speed and same incline. Crank it up a notch. If you see people on social media who inspire you then reach out. They need you as much as you need them. We are all in this life together. Lets make is awesome.

Fuel your mind. Fuel your body. Fuel your life.