Mistakes to Avoid After Working Out

What do you do after you finish working out? Do you go home and kick up your feet for the rest of the day and call it a day? Do you stock up on a ton of protein and carbs to recover the energy that you spend? The chances are that you are doing something wrong. Here are common mistakes to avoid after working out from HiDow International.

Forgetting to Make a Post-workout Recovery

A typical mistake we commonly see is athletes going from a full-blown workout (about 75% of their full speed) to a cold and sudden stop as soon as they finish. When you get done with your workout, especially a cardio workout like long-distance running or soccer, you will significantly benefit from the following instead. You should always have a 10-15 minute cool-down period where you allow yourself to slow down gradually. You will want to follow this with a nice stretch. Doing so can help your muscles limber up and prevent the build-up of lactic acid.

Forgetting to Stretch

In the same way that forgetting to cool down can affect your body’s ability to break down the build-up of lactic acid, forgetting to stretch can cause your muscles to tense up and cramp. Stretching after your workout is as important (if not more important) after you workout.

Overeat

After your workout, you might feel like you could eat a horse! You’ve just burned through all of your fuel reserves, and now it’s time to re-up by hitting a buffet. After all, you deserve it, right? Wrong. Overeating after a workout is one of the biggest mistakes working out to avoid. At the end of the day, weight loss and fitness, in general, can be worked out as simple equations that measure how many calories you consume and the quality of your food. Eating a low-carb, high-protein meal after you eat is fine, but try not to offset the workout you just put in.

Refuel With Energy Drinks

If working out makes you tired and worn out, you should refuel by hydrating yourself. A common mistake to avoid after working out is choosing to refuel with the wrong fluids. Energy drinks might seem like a good idea to bounce back from a workout, but they can be packed full of sugar and can be counterintuitive. Refuel with a protein shake or a healthy smoothie bowl if you need the sugar dose.

Forgetting to Stay Active

Another huge mistake you should avoid after working out is forgetting to stay active throughout the rest of your day. While your body does need time to rest and recover, the best fitness results come from living an active lifestyle where you are up and moving.