Your Heart Needs an Active Rest

When you’re working hard in the gym, what do you look like when it’s time rest? If you look anything like me, you look like a pancake sprawled out on a yoga mat staring at the ceiling like you are fighting to “walk into the light.” Dead. Dead is how I look. But, unfortunately, resting this way is not doing your heart any favors. Our hard working hearts needs an "active rest", allowing your body to continue to pump a healthy flow of blood (nutrients) and oxygen. Without movement during rest, you are not helping your body to circulate blood, meaning your body has to work extra hard to make up for the oxygen debt. Instead of the old pancake floor mat rest, try jumping on a stationary bike and cycling lightly for 90-180 seconds. I know it’s more ideal to take a 90 second nap, but by keeping your body activity at a moderate level and slowly lowering your heart rate, it will ultimately be easier to perform your next set. When it’s time to quit, don’t pull a pancake! Just cycle or squat, or walk on the treadmill to slowly lower your heart rate down to a resting state. Your heart will thank you for it! (and your body will too)

After any workout, our bodies crave protein to help replenish and rebuild. Rejuvenate after your toughest workouts with a replenishing and refreshing BalancedDiet Protein Lemonade to recharge your system, deliver much needed protein to your body and reward yourself for staying active the whole time! With 15g of protein combined with refreshing lemon, becoming a gym mat pancake will be the last thing on your mind. Instead, you will look like a refreshed active resting athlete with a yummy glass of lemonade in your hand!