We are entering our fourth week of February 2017, can you believe it! Year upon year, the festive period zooms by and before we know it we are in February wondering how on earth we got here. Still feeling as frazzled as when we started the new year and struggling to remember what your new year’s resolutions were? Was it in a true Bridget Jones style? ‘Must drink, eat and smoke less …but definitely move more.’ While some of us have gone back to the gym we are finding it hard to cope with intense exercise possibly because the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017 was fairly inactive.
We head to TRX classes, HIIT, Hot Power Yoga or Bootcamp and our body aches for a week, and till we know it we have only made it for one class. Yes the mental endurance is as important as the physical endurance and our fitness levels have a definite role to play.
Physical fatigue and poor recovery to can be linked to D-ribose, which is a potent natural energy enhancer that can be used to overcome the physical fatigue post exercise and lead to better recovery. D-ribose is in fact, a simple sugar molecule produced in the body and is one of the crucial ingredients required in the production of energy, in the form of adenosine tri-phosphate. (ATP). ATP is involved in the conversion of nutrients we consume into usable energy thus allowing the body to function efficiently. During intense exercise or times of stress, the skeletal muscles as well as the heart can find themselves depleted of ATP. Since D-ribose is not made quickly enough by our organs and tissues, and neither is it stored in our cells, the overall D-ribose levels can be quite low and have no time to recover either. Therefore supplementing with one scoop of Jarrow’s D-ribose, before or after your exercise session can help the body to have the required production of energy for you to cope and recover well.
Of course the diet is very important whilst looking at food sources of B-vitamins such as wholegrains, eggs, liver, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy protein sources such a lean turkey, cod, chicken, or milk.
Sleep is important to re-set your energy levels as well as a steady routine. Keep the night prior to your day of exercise alcohol free where you can as there is nothing worse than working out with a hangover. Exercise with a friend or join classes since company seems to help us with sticking to an exercise routine. Give yourself a small reward once you have achieved 5 sessions of exercise for instance. Make it fun by alternating your workouts and don’t take it too seriously after all! As long as you keep moving and stay happy, it is all worth it.
