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Post-Workout Recovery Drink

May 14, 2011 –

Another day. Another Supplement. Yes, this is the week of Supplements.

Today, we are talking about Post-Workout Recovery Drinks. I have done a comprehensive review of the P90X Results & Recovery Drink, so please refer back to that HERE. However, what I wanted to highlight again is when and why we need a recovery drink. I have talked to many people who have started P90X and Insanity and it is hard for them to understand the importance of a recovery drink.

The idea of a “mandatory” recovery drink was a new concept for me when I started P90X. In fact, when I ordered P90X they had “free sample” after “free sample” that I declined over and over again because I thought this was another way they were trying to get more money out of me. I was willing to spend $119 on P90X and that was it. Then I started P90X and realized this was no normal workout. I was completely spent and frankly almost dragged through the rest of the day. I would grab a Gatorade G2, but it didn’t do much for me. Then I thought that since I was going all-in on the a 90 day workout commitment, I would try the Recovery drink. After all, Tony talks about it every workout.

Wow, what a difference. First of all, it tasted really good. I would laugh when Tony said “I do the workouts, just so I can have the Recovery Drink”. Me too! But there is a lot of truth in that statement. On to my next point.

You do NOT need a recovery drink for light to moderate exercise. A Recovery Drink is required from intense exercise that depletes your stores of glycogen, electrolytes, and amino acids. If you don’t replenish those nutrients, the positive effects of your workout will be minimized. Ask any true athlete and they will tell you the same thing. You worked hard for the gains you made today. You want to ensure you keep everything you earned.

The optimal recovery drink has a 4 to 1 ratio of carbs to protein. P90X Results & Recovery Drink has 40g of carbs to 10 g of protein. It should be taken within an hour after your workout and if possible, try not to eat anything at least 30 minutes after drinking it. Common ingredients in Recovery Drinks are:

– Carbohydrates which are required to replenish your glycogen stores

– Protein which the body uses to repair and grow muscles.

Vitamins, many include Vitamin C and E given their antioxidant qualities and their ability to help reduce muscle soreness. (See my full blog on Vitamins HERE.)

Creatine (See my full Blog on Creatine HERE.)

L-Glutamine (See my full Blog on L-Glutamine HERE.)

For most people, it comes down to one thing: money. If you have committed yourself to P90X, Insanity, or some other intense activity, you need to take good care of your body or it will not take care of you. It costs a little more than $1 per day. If you are really strapped for cash, you could even take 1/2 the dosage to make it last twice as long. Supplements are part of the 3-legged stool of fitness. (Exercise and Nutrition are the others.) You are asking alot of your body (assuming you Brought It!). Make sure you are giving it the stuff it needs to help you Dig Deeper!




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