Gym Fuel: Supplements for a MEANER sweat and a STRONGER you.

"You don't sweat much...
                   for a fat chick." 

- HEY!?  

Check it: Sometimes I need a little extra motivation to get my bum to the gym, let alone break a sweat. This blog will highlight a few things I have learned to help jump start adrenaline, refuel muscles, and multiply metabolism. 





My last blog about supplements has over 700 Pinterest pins, thousands of page views, and has officially catapulted this here goofy food/nutrition chick onto Google's $earch engine radar. Not bad, eh? I continue to get emails from folks inspired by the blog, it's recipes, Momma Gone Fit, and how it has helped them tackle their own weight obstacles. 

 Humbling is an understatement.

Sun's out guns out. My third picture is coming along. 

I have been my own Nutritional Guinea Pig for almost five years now. It's no secret that I love to eat, I love a cold craft beer (or three), and I also love to break a sweat. My new passion is strength training. Lifting heavy things is a game changer. Oh, and I have taken to boxing and MMA. I'm no Ronda Rousey, but, ladies, if you have young children, a job, and/or a significant other; Wailing on a heavy bag is the best damn feeling in the world.

True dat. 

Let's dig in. Here's what I use BEFORE I break a sweat. 

**Before we begin, let me go on record as saying that I am not a licensed nutritional anything. Feel free to try all of these things at your own discretion. These are the supplements that work for moi, and they may or may not work for you? Sharing is caring** 

Green Tea & Fish Oil. 
Together, at last.

I take these bad boys (two each- four total) with my coffee and a light, snack-like breakfast- I like to workout early in the morning- a good 20 minutes before I begin my workout. What's a good pre workout food? I usually slather a tablespoon or two of almond butter onto a piece of Ezekiel bread or eat a few banana oatmeal protein nuggets. Yeah, it sounds weird, but, they are clean, tasty, and loaded with protein. If you can think of a better title, hit me up. Some fitness gurus tell you not to eat before you sweat to increase fat loss, but, that argument is debatable. If you are prone to migraines, for example, eat a little something first-- especially if you plan on taking these two supplements! 

Green Tea: Fat burners get a lot of flack, but, this one is different-ish. Why? Epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Say that three times fast. You can click onto any body building website and read up on the 10-
syllabled properties found therein. Long story short: Green Tea uses your body's fat burning hormone to support heat, thus, has the ability to make you sweat. The EGCG's in green tea, coupled with caffeine, double that result. Add a fitness routine to those elements, and you'll need a beach towel and a mop after spin class. Brew up some green tea at home to drink round the clock. 

Fish Oil: If you haven't burped up fishy fumes during a HIIT session, you've never lived, my friend. Sure, sure, you can buy the burp-less supplements, but, then you're talking an extra $10 a bottle with LESS product. I say: Go full-burp. You get used to it. Why are you taking fish oil with green tea? Remember what I said about dragging ass and not "feeling" the gym? Fish oil, in addition to being amazing for bone health and cholesterol, is known for boosting serotonin, the body's happy hormone. When both your serotonin and norepinephrine levels are raised, you will want to work out,  you will perform better, and you will sweat harder and go longer. Sounds like a Viagra commercial!  On a personal note, I have noticed a dramatic difference in my focus and my drive. Also noticed a difference in my mid section! No erections, though. Dodged that bullet.

After a good burn, you MUST refuel... and you only have a short time window in which to do so.  Your body is still in fat burn mode up to 30minutes after a workout. Consume those calories in that window for a faster metabolic break down and for muscle repair and regrowth. You need a fast, nutritionally packed food. Make a smoothie. Just do it.  

The struggle is real, my friends. 

No WHEY!? 

-Whey! 

Jump on the bandwagon and drink a whey shake already. I have tried a dozen or so powdery whey products and they are all about the same, save for two things. 1) How much filler they use and 2) TASTE!

Some protein powders are gross. Especially anything labeled "vegan" or "cookie." In your journey for the best whey, you'll read about amino acids- they help with muscle/tissue repair for bigger, faster guns- but ultimately, you have to enjoy the taste in order continue drinking it. I have found that, like everything food related, more ingredients = less tasty. (This does not apply to Indian curry. Bring ON the ingredients)  And, if you're like me, you want something that won't break the bank. Those flashy tubs of powder at Costco are EXPENSIVE! Unless you are a fitness competitor, being ripped is your career, and/or you are trying to make quality gains for a FLEX photoshoot, don't go broke over this. Whey is whey. Keep the ingredients low and the protein content high. Simple as that. I use EAS 100% Whey- Vanilla flavored protein powder.  If any of the muscley gym rats pause from their gainz selfie to razz you over this choice and it's "low amino/vitamin content," ask them how their Hot-n-Ready cheat pizza's were last night? 

Here's my recipe for one of my go-to after workout smoothies. Larry thinks it needs tuna. Um... maybe next time, bud? 

• 1/4 cup frozen peaches
• 1/4 cup frozen mango 
• 1/4 cup frozen pineapple
• 2 scoops whey protein 
• 1/4 cup almond milk 
• 1tsp whole flax seeds (optional but worth it) 
• 2 tablespoons of water 
• A couple o' ice cubes 
• Blend well and drink.

Note: If anyone sees my husband, remind him that I want a Vitamix under the tree. K-thanks.

My next nutritional bloggity-blog will be devoted to supplements you should take before bed time. We all burn calories while we sleep. (Mind. Blown) We might as well help them along, eh? Before you start downing supplements, read a few things about how you may be sabotaging your own goals: Fat: 10 Reasons Why

Tune in next time.