Post-Workout Must-Haves

Picture

If you are feeling tired, sore or notice decreased performance you may need more recovery time or a break from training altogether. If you are feeling strong the day after a hard workout, you don’t have to force yourself to go slow. If you pay attention…. your body will let you know what it needs, when it needs it. The problem for many of us is that we don’t listen to those warnings or we dismiss them with our own self talk (“I can’t be tired, I didn’t run my best yesterday” or “No one else needs two rest days after that workout; they’ll think I’m a wimp if I go slow today.”).
About.com
It’s okay to pamper yourself sometimes, especially after a rigorous workout, go for it…

you deserve it!

It’s crucial that as we take care of ourselves before, during and after our workout regimes. Overall wellness and specifically, Rest and recovery are essentials of any workout routine. Our post-workout recover routine has a great impact on our fitness gains and sports performance and allows us to maximize our workout more effectively. Last month, we posted  an article which included the most popular and reportedly beneficial post-workout snacks. We received such great feedback about this post that we decided to run a follow up to include post-workout pampering tips and recommendations. The experts highly recommend making sure we listen to our bodies. They do not suggest that we over exert ourselves during physical activity, especially not to the point that we put ourselves at risk of sustaining an injury or having a difficult time recovering from our workout.
On a side note, as a psychology instructor and lover of wellness, I am compelled to reiterate that overall well-being is a reflection of our physical state, as well as our mental/emotional state….so in gist, it’s important to be kind to our bodies, souls and minds as we strive to pursue our fitness goals. Hope you find our compiled post- workout tips and favorite products helpful. My absolute favorite thing to do after working out is to bask in the sauna and steam room.
Please share in the comments how you unwind after your workouts. We’d love to hear what works for you.
Picture

Cold One Ice Compression Wraps are is the most recommended MD treatment for soft tissue injuries. Cold Therapy and Cold One® ice compression wraps are used and endorsed by doctors, orthopedic surgical hospitals, chiropractors, physical therapists, major university athletic teams and trainers. These wraps have received great reviews.
For a more affordable route of cold therapy, you can try a bag of frozen peas or an ice massage with crushed ice. Those methods have also proven to be helpful in easing post-workout discomfort that may be a result of chronic or acute pain.
Sources (click link to get more great post-workout tips):
Active.com 
About.com
Kim Anthony

Kim Anthony

Hi, my name is Kim. I'm the Resident Life & Wellness Coach and Editorial Director of FitnessGalore.net. Additionally, as an adjunct professor of Psychology, I am an avid believer in the mind and body relationship and its connection to fitness and overall wellbeing.