Mini Habits - Importance Of Rest & Recovery

Do you suffer from unwanted weight gain, or do you wonder why you can’t seem to lose body fat even after cutting calorie intake and working out? We hear you! In your weight loss journey, eating right and working out regularly are not enough. Having proper rest and recovery is equally important. Read on to find out the best strategy to successfully lose excess pounds in a healthy way!

Having a Successful Weight Loss 

Losing weight is hard enough, what more maintaining your desired body weight. That’s why having a routine and being strategic in your approach to weight loss is essential.

Certainly, you have heard a lot of fad advice including dietary supplements that are supposed to help you magically lose weight in 7 days. Hate to break it to you but any products that claim visible results in days is a myth, Sharon Zarabi, Registered Dietician and Certified Dietitian Nutritionist in New York, said. 

Contrary to popular belief, a crash diet or a very low-calorie diet could be more risky than helpful. According to Registered Dietician Helen Bond, such rigorous dietary restriction is not sustainable and before you know it, you're back to your unhealthy eating habits again. Instead of counting extra calories and starving yourself, enjoying healthier meals such as plant-based foods, exercising regularly, and resting or recovering after workouts are effective ways to lose weight. 

How to Rest and Recover from Post-Workout

Rest and recovery are necessary for your weight loss journey, and you should not feel guilty about it. Physician Dr. Alison Putnam of the Sports Medicine Clinic at Ballard emphasised that giving your body time to recover after an intense workout is essential for muscle growth. Once you build muscle strength, burning calories is easier.

To be specific, there are two types of recovery, and these are: 

• Active recovery or Cool Down 

This implies doing the same exercise at a lower intensity or performing low-intensity activity after a tough workout. Cooldown exercises and stretches reduce the risk of injury, increase blood flow, and reduce stress on your heart and other muscles.

Take running for example. After a long run, you may have an active rest by walking or jogging lightly. If you did some heavy lifting or strength training, you can perform some yoga poses or stretches. Five to 10 minutes is the recommended time for cooling down.

• Passive Recovery

This refers to resting after an intense activity such as sitting idly, lying down, or sleeping. 

A 2017 study showed that people who exercise regularly get deeper, restorative sleep. When you are in deep sleep, your body repairs muscle tissues, allows muscle growth, and improves the immune system, Dr. Nicole Avena, Neuroscience Assistant Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, added.  

Celebrity Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar also pointed out that the hormones that are helpful for healthy weight loss, namely the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Growth Hormone, recover only during your night sleep.

4 Tips to Maximise Rest and Recovery After Workout

Here are useful tips you can follow to have a successful weight loss after working out: 

• Drinking water regularly

It is a known fact that more than half of your body is made up of water, so drinking lots of water is the most brilliant move. Hydrating your body prevents painful muscle cramps and dizziness. It is also the best way to maintain an optimal body temperature.

Drinking at least 16 ounces of water daily is recommended, especially when you work out. You may also opt for fresh fruit juice like lime juice as an alternative to water.

• Giving yourself a massage

Enjoying massage therapy using a massage gun in this case is helpful. Not only does it alleviate muscle soreness and muscle strain but also provides nutrients and oxygen in your body by allowing better blood circulation.

• Assessing your body

Amoila Cesar, an ASM-certified Personal Trainer, and BeachBody Super Trainer explained that challenging yourself does not mean punishing yourself. A good workout should not make you feel drained and exhausted. Instead, it should be rewarding.  

• Prioritising sleep

When we are dozing off, that is the time when our entire body and muscles get the opportunity to fully recover from workouts and all kinds of physical activities.

If you are into muscle building and weight loss, having adequate sleep is beneficial for you, Amanda McMahan, an American Certified Athletic Trainer, said. And no, sleep isn’t for the weak.

Conclusion

Sacrificing your well-being by depriving yourself of proper rest and nutritious foods while trying to lose weight is not helpful.  Instead, pick a healthy routine and strategy that you can follow and maintain for a long time. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and have a good rest and recovery.