Steps to Post-Workout Muscle Recovery

Military.com | by Ana Reisdorf

You made it through that incredibly tough workout but you want to reduce any soreness and return to the gym as quickly as possible. You are searching for something fast and easy to eat that will also support muscle recovery. So, what should you eat to properly refuel after an intense workout? Here’s the skinny on how you should refuel:

1. Carbohydrates: Carbs are the primary source of quick-burning energy to help fuel the endurance athlete. The body is able to store some carbohydrates in the muscles as glycogen. But, during an intense workout, these glycogen stores become depleted, so your body will need to refill its tank.

The amount of carbohydrates you need depends on several factors; these include your daily energy needs and how long and intensely you work out. For the training athlete in a moderate-intensity workout program (active for about one hour each day) you generally need about 5–7 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight. This equals 340–476 grams of carbs per day if you weigh 150 lbs.

1. Protein: In addition to carbohydrates to restore glycogen, muscles also need protein to repair and strengthen. The exact amount of protein needed on a daily basis depends on your body weight, the type of exercise you do, and the duration and intensity of your workout. Recommendations for athletes in training and competition typically range from 1.2–2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. This translates to 82–136 grams of protein for a 150-pound person, per day. You should consume protein throughout the day to meet this target, in addition to after workouts.
2. Water, water, everywhere: Giving your body enough water to replace what you lost during the workout is critical, too. You should drink enough fluids before, during, and after exercise to stay hydrated. Aim to drink 2–3 cups of water in the few hours before you’re physically active. Then drink ½–1 cup of fluids every 15–20 minutes during your fitness session.
3. Putting the pieces together: The “secret sauce” to post-workout recovery is a combination of mostly quality carbohydrates, to replenish glycogen stores in muscles, and some protein, to rebuild and repair muscles. This gives the muscles exactly what they need to heal, and may help improve performance at your next training session. Keeping these tips in mind, an example of an ideal post-workout meal would be turkey on whole grain bread with a few slices of tomatoes. For a snack, try a glass of chocolate milk, low-fat yogurt topped with berries, or peanut butter on whole wheat toast.
4. The window for refueling: It’s not just about what you eat—when you eat matters too. For optimal recovery, you should eat within two hours of a workout. But the sooner you eat, the better for repairing and replenishing muscles. If possible, aim to eat within 15–20 minutes after an intense workout.

There are many different variables that can affect how much water is lost during a workout. If it is a very hot day or the workout is very intense, you will likely lose more water, so you will need to drink more.
For most people, water is all that is needed to stay properly hydrated. But if you’re physically active for an hour or longer, consider a sports drink instead to restock electrolyte levels. Electrolytes, including potassium and sodium, are lost through sweat during exercise