Exercise

Moving our bodies on a regular basis is a key not only to our physical health but also our mental health and overall well being. I’m not saying to train like a sportsperson, absolutely not as they are some of the most toxic bodies I treat. But what I am talking about is keeping your body moving on a daily basis is a great way to maintain a healthy balance in your body.

Treating sportspeople and studying traditional sciences there is such a thing as too much physical exertion. The standpoint is that light to moderate exercise strengthens our energy (Qi) and builds our Blood, but it becomes counter intuitive when performed excessively. Too much exercise actually depletes the body of energy (Qi) and Blood which will negatively impact a woman's periods or fertility among other things. Also take note on how quickly people age when they exercise vigorously as they are consuming large amounts of energy and Blood. I was looking at one of my favourite captains Kieran Read's face who is still a baby but he looks like an old man.

Much of the health problems occurs are to do with eating, which may sound counter intuitive. So what should you be doing after a workout?

Consume protein as exercise triggers the breakdown of muscle protein. Consuming an adequate amount of protein after a workout gives your body the amino acids it needs to repair and rebuild these proteins. It also gives you the building blocks required to build new muscle tissue.

Consume carbohydrates as our body's glycogen stores are used as fuel during exercise, and consuming carbs after your workout helps replenish them. Endurance sports cause your body to use more glycogen than resistance training. So, if you participate in endurance sports like cage fighting, running, rugby, football and so forth you might need to consume more carbs than a bodybuilder.

Eat more fat as many people think that eating fat after a workout slows down digestion and inhibits the absorption of nutrients. While fat might slow down the absorption of your post-workout meal, it will not reduce its benefits. For example, a study showed that whole milk was more effective at promoting muscle growth after a workout than skim milk.

So important to drink water before and after your workout at room temperature. When you are properly hydrated, this ensures the optimal internal environment for your body to maximise results. During exercise, you lose water and electrolytes through sweat. Replenishing these after a workout can help with recovery.

Inflammation is actually how your body heals from the micro-muscle tears caused as you break down muscle during a workout. While inflammation is necessary, it also inhibits training progress, as it temporarily limits muscle function due to increased muscle soreness and stiffness. To reduce inflammation, choose foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3 essential fats, and anti-inflammatory compounds to overcome excess inflammation so reach for the turmeric.

Never skip your stretch as you want your body to return to how it was before you started your workout. Muscles stretch and lengthen best when they are warm because they are more elastic and pliable. As the muscle cools, it contracts. Stretching will help decrease soreness, accelerate your recovery process, relax tension from the workout and increase and build your range of motion.

Change your clothes as it's so important to remove any wet clothing, like your bra, underwear and socks. Soggy workout clothing can trap moisture, promoting the growth of yeast, fungus, bacteria and germs. And that can lead to breakouts or skin infections.

The best time of the day to workout is early morning as it will set you up for the day. Working out after 6pm should be a no no as that time you want to be winding down getting your body for its detoxification time and sleep.