Article from Healthhabits
When it comes to getting fit/healthy/buff/ripped/sexy/etc, your workouts are only half the equation. The other half of the equation is Workout Recovery. And because I love you guys so darn much, here are my top Post-Workout Recovery Techniques.
- Post-Workout Carb/Protein Shake
- Hot/Cold Contrast Showers
- Fish Oils
- Meditation / Sleep
- Epsom Salt Baths
- Ice
- Massage
- TENS
- Chiropractic / Acupuncture
- Traumeel
Post-Workout Carb/Protein Shake: See above for macronutrient amounts. Post workout and your muscles are screaming for nutrients. Ignore that message and your workout recovery goes into slo-mo. Heed the message and the repair goes into overdrive.
Hot/Cold Contrast Showers: Alternate between 30 seconds of cold water and two minutes of hot water. Perform this shrinkage inducing protocol three or four times. While most of the claims about this recovery technique are anecdotal, there is some research showing that alternating hot/cold showers post-exercise is effective in lowering both heart rate and the levels of lactate in your blood. Anecdotally, contrast showers have been said to improve athletic recovery via increased blood flow and possible nutrient and waste product elimination (lactate). There may also be a psychological benefit and an increased feeling of alertness and fatigue reduction.
Fish Oils: Your workouts cause inflammation. Localized inflammation in joints and muscles. Systemic inflammation throughout your body. Fish oils are a great, natural, anti-inflammatory. Add some to your post-workout shake. If you already have issues with chronic inflammation, you may want to consider adding some Turmeric/Curcumin or Zyflamend into the mix.
Meditation / Sleep: High intensity workouts can be tough on the CNS (central nervous system). And while there are lots of supplements (natural adaptogens & pharmaceutical agents) out there that claim to help repair & restore the CNS, I don
