Research has shown that a workout drink consisting of easily digested carbs and protein taken immediately after a strenuous strength training workout can result in an increase in lean muscle tissue and a decrease in stored levels of body fat. To help members reach their fitness and nutrition goals, Shore Results has included a full service shake bar called Shore Shakes.
The research is so one sided on this topic that one of our core nutrition rules at Shore Results is to have a post workout shake. We used to have to encourage members to go home and make their own shakes with berries and protein and found that most were just not doing it. Our members are pressed for time, and having all the ingredients on hand is a hassle. After an extensive search we found a great company that uses all natural ingredients with no added sugar and no artificial ingredients. Every one of our shakes is strictly made from fruit that was pureed with a mix of fresh fruit. We also use 100% micro-filtered Whey Protein, which is the most easily available protein to digest.
Not only is WHAT you are putting in your body important but WHEN you are doing it important as well. If your goal is fat loss then you will want to improve your insulin sensitivity. You do that by avoiding certain carbs throughout the day that are known to elicit a large spike in insulin. When calories are in excess, insulin is a hormone that helps shuttle extra fuel to be stored as body fat. However, after a workout, there is a window of opportunity in which our bodies become more sensitive to insulin. This is beneficial in that we can take advantage of the situation and ensure that the carbs and protein we are ingesting post-workout are being used for repair and recovery so the body does not have to resort to breaking down muscle tissue for energy.
Our only word of advice is to select post-workout shakes that do not contain any healthy fats in them such as peanut or almond butter. While these are good healthy fats that you should be eating, during the post workout window they will slow the absorption of the carbohydrates and protein.
If you have any questions stop by Shore Results and Shore Shakes and pick up some of the many informational packets. Or feel free to ask Kim or Brian. So don’t forget, we only improve when we recover. See you at the bar!