Refuel after a workout is key

Repair and grow your muscles with a healthy pre-workout snack. If your workout is longer than an hour, plan something you can easily eat on the go.

Homemade cereal bars are delicious and packed full of energy. They are also very quick and easy to make which is perfect when your life is very busy. Another quick healthy snack full of goodness is a toast of sourdough bread with peanut butter and sliced banana. It's only a matter of planning ahead and not rushing for the less healthy options.

Being fit and losing weight doesn't mean running on empty and counting your calories all the time. In fact, if you want your body to thrive and your workouts to be productive, you ideally need to eat an hour before - so you had time to digest - but also soon after you've exercised. As an avid runner, I didn't want to admit that for a long time and thought that the least I ate, the lighter I would be and the fastest I would become!! I was wrong.

Nourish your body with real food, especially half an hour pre-workout and drink lots of water!

Drinking water throughout the day versus minutes before a workout will help to prevent cramping or a washy feeling during your workout. You'll experience better performance too. Post workout, your body is in need of a refuel. Your body is also now on the hunt for sugar to replace its stores, therefore now is a crucial time to have your pre-planned homemade snack - it can be one of the snacks mentioned above or a few dates, toast with honey or perhaps a natural sugar content shake or smoothie.

By filing up on the healthful foods we love and not obsessing over calorie counts, carbs, or fat, we're able to eat in tune with what our bodies need. We know that real food leads to serious satisfaction and allows the body to function optimally without weight gain. The secret is in planning ahead and portions - but this is the subject of one of my other blogs...