Top 7 Post Workout Mistakes Ruining Your Weight Loss Efforts

Keeping fit is a mantra many live by and workout seems to be the quickest method of doing it.

After all, Workout not only helps in losing those extra pounds but also tones up the body. However, there is a proper way and method to an efficient workout.

Most of us unknowingly do things that happen to prevent the weight loss and basically stunt the effects of a workout on our body.

Sounds sad and interesting?

Now that we have got your attention, let us walk you through these simple practices that you never knew hampered your weight loss regime!

1. Loading the Sports Drink

There are tons of them available in the market and stores. The fanciest brands and snazzy bottles that claim they restore the energy and electrolyte balance in the body post-workout.

But what they do not tell you is the calories and Sugar you would be loading on yourself immediately upon consuming these drinks. (1)

But “restoring electrolyte balance and energy post workout is extremely important. So how do you exactly do it?

We suggest homemade lemonade with a pinch of salt and sugar.

Since it is homemade you can control the amount of sweetener and salt.

Not to forget, skip harmful colors and preservatives that the commercial drinks are laden with!

2. Skipping After-Meal

We always say and maintain that workout and physical activity is just one part of keeping fit, the other and more important part is eating right. A strenuous workout causes electrolyte imbalance and exhausts you.

Post workout time should be reserved for eating.

Of course watch what you eat, do not hog on fats, but definitely a layer of some proteins.

Protein will reduce the muscle damage and build them for a leaner and fitter body. Do drink water and eat food items rich in roughage as well. (2)

When you habitually skip meals you starve your body. This makes the body store even the smallest quantity of fats whenever you consume them. The metabolism goes for a toss and yes, starving yourself after a workout is an open invitation to stomach ulcers and acidity as well!

Read Best Post Exercise Food to get the maximum benefits from your diet.

3. No Cooling Down

Are you amongst the people who consider cooling down a wastage of time?

Always ensure at least three minutes of cooling down session if not more. Stretch your muscles at this time, including back, legs, ABS and arms.

Cooling down reduces the chances of cramping up of muscles and soothes them, thus preventing stiffness post workout. It brings your body back to normal after a hectic workout session.

Remember that your heart rate, blood pressure and hormone excretion is high during the workout and it is important that you normalize it all slowly and steadily.

In the long run, this habit can keep you out of heavy workouts and gym. A sudden stop after an intense training is like putting a full brake on a car going at a speed of 100 miles and it ain’t good!

4. Workout to Binge

Workout definitely makes us eat without much guilt, but of you are one of those who exercise to eat, then think again!

Loading of fatty food and going all out to eat just because you had an hour of intense workout makes it all go in vain.

In fact, your body has to work double hard to digest all that you have managed to eat. It brings back the calories you just burned.

Since you cannot obviously keep the count of calories consumed Vs calories burned, you would just add-on considerable weight over a short period of time.

In short, the aim of your workout should be getting fit, not getting ready to eat!

5. Low on Fluids

A strenuous workout means rivers of sweat and with sweat, you lose fluid and electrolyte in the body.

Now let us look at the electrolyte part of it. It contains magnesium, calcium, Potassium, Chloride and sodium.

All these minerals play an instrumental role in carrying out the regular functions of our body.

Right from signalling the brain to muscle control, it is these minerals that monitor and regulate it all. This is why restoring the electrolyte balance is essential.

If you experience frequent cramps up during exercise, it indicates mineral aka electrolyte deficiency.(3)

Water is another important part of exercise. A dehydrated body is the worst thing you can do to yourself. It will hamper your exercise routine and worsen the electrolyte imbalance. Our suggestion, of course, is to stick to homemade drinks and juices.

6. Give Time for Repair

This one is last but definitely not the least. We have all been taught since childhood that excess of everything is bad.

Same goes for the workout as well.

Just like we advocate cooling down, we are also particular about avoiding exhausting physical activities back to back after the workout.

7. Relax, Stretch and Walk

In fact, if you have already done your intense training in the morning, a brisk walk is all you need in the evening if you must.

Just have one intense exercise session in a day and keep yourself moderately active throughout. Overdoing will only lead to ligament tears, joint pains and painful muscles over a long-term. (4)

With these tips, we wish you all the luck for that weight loss and fitness regime!

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