Recipe for a killer workout

Ever notice that workouts are like hair days?  There’s no telling when you’re going to have a good or bad hair day (workout)…it just happens!  When it does turn out to be good one, it’s enough to brighten up your overall day.  No? Yes? Maybe?

Anyhow after a killer workout on Sunday, it got me thinking about the likely determinants of a good workout.  Obviously this will vary but here’s what I think spurred me on:

• Proper nutrition: Eating a bowl of granola with fruit, Greek yogurt and nuts 2 hours before my workout provided me with the right amount of carbs, protein and healthy fats to fuel my workout without weighing me down.

• Sufficient hydration: Every night for me involves at least one trip to the bathroom.  In other words, I drink PLENTY of H2O.
• Carbo-loading: Dining at an Italian restaurant on Saturday night was like eating at a carb Mecca! Fresh bread rolls, goats cheese & spinach pizza, king crab linguine: you know the drill… first in front of me, then in me 😆 .  I am 99% certain its effects were long-lasting.
• Adequate rest:  On week days, my alarm goes off too soon yet on weekends, I can’t sleep in for the life of me.  Fortunately Sunday was a different story: 9 hrs of solid sleep, baby!
• Lack of distance & time goals: I went into the gym with the intention of having an easy run.  I just listened to my body and increased the speed as I felt ready.  This took the pressure off and allowed me to just have fun with my run.  With Westlife & Michael Jackson playing on my iPod (no shame 😆), I sure had a ball!
• Going in with somewhat of a workout plan: After a long stint away from strength training, I figured it was time to feel the burn again. A little Googling pre-workout helped refresh my memory of a few moves/key machines so that I had some direction once my run was over.

So back on the topic of hair.  Take it from me: a good workout does nothing in that department ;)!