As a fitness professional who helps people get into the body they want, and the health they deserve so they can live life the way they want to, we often get asked a lot of questions.
One of the questions that comes up over and over would be, “Do I need to drink protein shakes to get in shape?”
While it is not a bad question, it is a bad “first” question.
Nobody really should be worried about if you need to drink a protein shake or not until you are able to focus on:
Eliminate nutrient deficiency
Eat the right portions for your goal
Eat at the right times based on your lifestyle and schedule
Once they can focus on these 3 things, then we can discuss how we might possibly be able to use a protein shake to help them focus on those 3 things easier.
In the grand scheme of things, drinking a protein shake or not will not affect long term results. But it is important for us to understand the effect of protein from a physiological standpoint so you know how your body can benefit from a disciplined approach to food.
Let’s see what happens when you have some protein before exercising:
Amazing, isn’t it?
Here is a bonus for you. A complete protein rich meal 2 – 3 hours before your workout can look like this:
4 oz of grilled chicken
3 cups of grilled veggies
¼ cup of cooked brown rice
8 almonds
That would be an awesome balanced protein rich meal that could make a huge difference in your workout.
Make sure to get some good carbs into your system! Carbs are extremely important to your long term success.
What are your favorite pre-workout meals?