Here are some of my top tips for what not to do before you workout!
1. Workout on an Empty Stomach.
If you workout without anything in your stomach, you’re going to be operating with low glucose levels in your blood, which can cause you to pass out or vomit. Think of your body as a car, it needs gasoline to run. I recommend eating a granola bar 30 minutes to an hour before a workout or something containing complex carbohydrates such as a piece of bread and peanut butter.
2. Sleep Deprivation. I always tell my clients, it’s better for your body and metabolism to sleep than workout. If you’re not sleeping, you’re not working out at full capacity, and you’re more likely to crave sugar, fat, and salt thought the day. So many studies show that when we are sleep deprived, we also increase our portions throughout the day.
3. Static Stretching. Studies have shown that static stretching before your workout can lead to increased injuries, as you’re stretching your muscles when they haven’t been properly warmed up. Stretching post-workout is best for your body. The best movement before a workout is active dynamic stretching, or simply do a 5-10 minute warmup jog on the treadmill before you workout.
4. Get a Massage. When you get a massage you’re relaxing your muscles which gives you a higher risk for injury. Massage therapists suggest waiting 12-24 hours before working out again after a massage.
