Struggling to have energy before working out?
Sometimes it’s hard enough to mentally motivate ourselves to get in the mindset of wanting to workout.
The couch + a good reality TV show on DVR can be quite appealing…
Once you have the willpower to go through with working out, you need to make sure you have the energy needed to make every exercise count!
The worst thing is going to the gym + just going through the motions.
If you keep going to the gym + putting in 50% because you are simply too sluggish… those results you have been dreaming about will never come to fruition.
What is the point of even going then?
If this sounds like you, a change needs to happen.
You need to make sure you have the energy to challenge your body during a workout so you can get the results you have been looking for.
Today I am sharing 4 healthy, natural ways to boost your energy before a workout in order to crush your workout + see results!
[+ At the end of the article, I also share 3 things to do if you have a severe lack of energy before working out.]
4 Healthy + Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy Before a Workout
DRINK WATER
This one might seem simple, but it is definitely one you want to consider before any of the following options.
If you don’t drink enough water throughout the day, you are not going to have optimal energy levels to do much of anything that you don’t want to. Especially, working out.
Have you ever felt dehydrated + full of energy? I doubt it.
Feeling tired is one of the first signs of being dehydrated. It can affect your mood + motivation to even go through with working out.
Also, you need water in order to convert food + body fat into energy to give you the boost you are looking for. So, you might have energy to spare in your body, but not enough water to feel it!
Really not feeling water at the moment? Try adding some cucumber, lime, or lemon to it to add some flavor!
Before the next time you workout, try drinking 1-2 glasses of water + see how you feel!
CAFFEINATED COFFEE
Another way to boost your energy before a workout is to have a little good ole caffeine.
You want to focus on having organic caffeinated coffee (95 mg/ 8 ounces) that gives you a small energy boost you need for your 30-60 minute workout.
Yes. It should be organic! Coffee beans are one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops. If your coffee is not organic, you’re basically chugging down coffee with a splash of poison.
Coffee also helps accelerate fat loss (it tells the body to use fat cells for energy) + helps you focus while working out. Studies have also revealed that coffee helps you workout longer + lessens the chance of muscle pain.
NOTE: Please don’t drink energy drinks!! Many contain over 200+mg of caffeine per can. That is way more caffeine than your body needs at one time.
In turn, it will leave you with a crazy crash after your workout (+ a headache). Plus, the amount of extra garbage ingredients in them is a whole other issue.
Be sure to drink your coffee as black as you can. Don’t add a ton of unneeded sugars + creamers that could upset your stomach or send you into a crash.
SNACKS WITH NATURAL SUGARS
Eating snacks with natural sugars in them an hour prior is another great way to boost your energy before a workout.
Fruit + honey are both great options since they are easy to digest (simple carbs) + have natural sugars to give you the boost you are looking for.
Also, many fruits contain a good amount of water, antioxidants, + vitamins/nutrients that can help you feel good while you workout.
With most fruit, you won’t need to worry about a sugar spike followed by a crash because of the fiber in most fruit.
Some fruit suggestions to snack on:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Bananas
- Apples
- Pineapples
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Mangoes
But, be wary of dried fruits. Dried fruits lack water + you will most likely consume way more sugar (carbs) + calories than wanted. In turn, you’ll feel a crash.
I suggest keeping your fruit in small, serving-sized glass containers in your fridge so you can just grab + go before the gym!
- Related: HOW TO INDULGE + STAY ON TRACK
EASILY-DIGESTED PROTEINS
Eating proteins that are easy to digest can be a great way to boost your energy during a workout, especially if you are weight training.
When you lift weights + build your muscles, you make small tears in your muscle fibers that need to be repaired.
Protein is needed for your muscles to recover + studies have also shown that it can help prevent fatigue during a workout.
You want to focus on eating proteins found in whole, real foods that make you feel good + have healthy ingredients. These protein-packed foods will help give you overall energy to power through your workout.
Just make sure these high-protein foods don’t contain lots of added sugar, salt, or any other ingredients that could hinder your workout.
Some great examples are:
-
- Plain greek yogurt
-
- Eggs
-
- Nuts
- Low-carb protein bars*
*Not a whole food, but I eat these before + feel great (i.e. One Bars).
TIP: Make a batch of hardboiled eggs in the beginning of the week so you can easily grab + eat your protein without any preparation. Or, make baggies/containers of nuts (Trader Joes sells little mini packs!).
- Related: 5 KITCHEN TOOLS TO CREATE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
I NEED A LARGE BOOST OF ENERGY!
If you are struggling to make it through workouts with a severe lack of energy + a lot of fatigue, the tips above will most likely not work.
Instead, you need to look at three factors:
+ The foods + drinks you are using to fuel your body
Your overall lifestyle plays a major role when it comes to the amount of natural energy you have to fuel your workouts.
Lack of energy can be due to a diet filled with processed foods, refined sugar, sodium, meats with antibiotics in them, + farmed fish.
+ The amount of sleep you are getting
If you are getting too little (or way too much) sleep, this can be a major contributor. Severe lack of sleep not only naturally robs you of energy, but doesn’t allow your body to recover well from prior workouts.
+ Medical reasons
If you are eating a healthy diet + getting a good amount of rest, consider speaking with a doctor to see if there is a medical reason that can explain why you are tired so often.
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