The pace of modern life is getting faster and faster. Coupled with increasing pressure, it is difficult for people to maintain their health and fitness without exercising. Without realizing it, many people find their well-being slowly deteriorating.
With the advancement of technology and the transparent flow of information, the knowledge that used to be sought from books can easily be accessed through our smartphones. As a result, more people are aware of the importance of exercising, and the trend of fitness has been rising gradually in recent years.
But does throwing yourself into a workout routine automatically lead to the health and body you’ve always wanted? Not necessarily. Depending on how you approach it, all your efforts could be in vain. So before you dive into your exercise routine, it’s important to understand a few key things!
5 Post-exercise prohibitions
1. Excessive hydration
Rehydrating after a workout is crucial for your body, but doing it too quickly can have negative effects. After exercising, your capillaries expand, and if you gulp down too much water at once, your sweat evaporates more rapidly, causing your body to lose even more salts. This can throw off your metabolism, leading to muscle cramps, and the sudden intake of large amounts of water can also put extra strain on your heart.
2. Sitting down to rest immediately
While exercising can be exhausting, and taking breaks during your workout is beneficial, avoid the temptation to squat or sit down immediately after finishing. Your blood circulation is faster than normal when you’re exercising, and sitting down too quickly without cooling down can block circulation to your lower body, causing muscle fatigue and hindering recovery.
3. Taking a cold shower after exercise
After a hard workout, especially in the summer, it’s tempting to hop into a cold shower to cool down. However, when your body is still hot and your pores are open, the sudden exposure to cold water can cause them to close too quickly, restricting your blood vessels and interfering with muscle recovery and your body’s ability to release heat.
4. Eating immediately
When your workout ends, your nervous system remains in a state of excitement, and blood is still directed toward your muscles. Eating immediately after exercising can overload your digestive system, leading to discomfort or digestive issues. It’s better to wait around 30 minutes after your workout before having a meal.
5. Indulging in sweets
While a post-workout treat might sound like a reward, indulging in sugary foods after exercising can actually do more harm than good. Research shows that eating too many sweets at this time can deplete vitamin B1, leaving you feeling more tired instead of energized. As a result, your appetite may drop, and your body’s ability to recover could suffer.
Maximize your workout with smart post-exercise habits
Exercising is undoubtedly an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but what you do after your workout is just as important. By avoiding these common post-exercise mistakes — over-hydrating, sitting down too quickly, jumping into a cold shower, eating immediately, or indulging in sweets — you can ensure that your body recovers properly and that you continue to reap the benefits of your hard work. Take the time to cool down, rehydrate gradually, and allow your body the space it needs to rebuild and recover.
Translated by Cecilia, edited by Amanda
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