The mid-workout energy drop: we’ve all experienced it. It usually occurs somewhere between that second set of squats and before the shoulder press. It’s that point in the workout where you realize that you just aren’t working out as efficiently as you want to be – you can’t get as many reps as you did when you worked out a few days ago and you’re just all around tired.
There are several factors that can cause this slump to occur. The most likely to affect you is usually the last meal you had before working out. For most people, a light meal between 1-2 hours before working out is perfect to help them maintain their energy during their workout. In this meal (and remember to keep it light!!) you want to include some protein and carbohydrates. In other words, downing a bagel won’t cut it. But add some peanut butter to that bagel, and you have the makings of a beautiful thing.
What happens if you’re working out first thing in the morning? Well, something light before your workout is important. Any workout (especially morning workouts) is affected by your dinner from the night before. If you skipped your dinner the night before or simply didn’t eat right, you may feel the negative effects in your workout the next day – i.e. less energy, strength and/or stamina.
The second factor to consider is how much sleep you got, not only the night before, but also two nights prior. We often feel the effect of a night of poor sleep 24 hours later. During your sleep, your body repairs itself and builds up for the next day. If you sleep fewer than your optimal night’s rest, your body won’t be 100% the next day. Now, if you do it over an extended period of time, you’re more likely to get sick and have other long-term effects.
The third factor that we will discuss here is how much water you’ve had throughout the day. As we all know, water is an essential part of our bodies’ proper functioning. Simply said, without enough water, our bodies simply will not perform at the level we want them to perform.
When you find yourself in that mid-workout drop, think back: When was my last meal? What did I have for dinner last night? How well did I sleep last night? How well did I sleep the night before? How much water have I had today? Oftentimes, your crash can be explained by one of those answers. And if it isn’t, try to realign your focus. So much of how we interact with the world around us is based on our intentions and desires. If you really don’t want to be working out, your body may be reacting to your mental lack of motivation. So, before you work out the next time, make sure you set your intention to have a good 30, 45, or 60 minutes of exercising. Stay focused for that set period of time and see how you feel in your next workout.
There are several factors that can cause this slump to occur. The most likely to affect you is usually the last meal you had before working out. For most people, a light meal between 1-2 hours before working out is perfect to help them maintain their energy during their workout. In this meal (and remember to keep it light!!) you want to include some protein and carbohydrates. In other words, downing a bagel won’t cut it. But add some peanut butter to that bagel, and you have the makings of a beautiful thing.
What happens if you’re working out first thing in the morning? Well, something light before your workout is important. Any workout (especially morning workouts) is affected by your dinner from the night before. If you skipped your dinner the night before or simply didn’t eat right, you may feel the negative effects in your workout the next day – i.e. less energy, strength and/or stamina.
The second factor to consider is how much sleep you got, not only the night before, but also two nights prior. We often feel the effect of a night of poor sleep 24 hours later. During your sleep, your body repairs itself and builds up for the next day. If you sleep fewer than your optimal night’s rest, your body won’t be 100% the next day. Now, if you do it over an extended period of time, you’re more likely to get sick and have other long-term effects.
The third factor that we will discuss here is how much water you’ve had throughout the day. As we all know, water is an essential part of our bodies’ proper functioning. Simply said, without enough water, our bodies simply will not perform at the level we want them to perform.
When you find yourself in that mid-workout drop, think back: When was my last meal? What did I have for dinner last night? How well did I sleep last night? How well did I sleep the night before? How much water have I had today? Oftentimes, your crash can be explained by one of those answers. And if it isn’t, try to realign your focus. So much of how we interact with the world around us is based on our intentions and desires. If you really don’t want to be working out, your body may be reacting to your mental lack of motivation. So, before you work out the next time, make sure you set your intention to have a good 30, 45, or 60 minutes of exercising. Stay focused for that set period of time and see how you feel in your next workout.
