Exercise is supposed to make you feel energized, not zap it out of you right? But being tired after exercise makes sense because we burn calories which deplete the body of energy. When you’re tired, your body is craving rest and nutrients to repair your muscles and energize you. If you are feeling run down, it can keep you from hitting the gym consistently which will slow your progress. Here are 5 tips to increase your energy levels during and after workouts.

Make sure you eat before and after. For workouts less than an hour, you want to eat carbohydrates that are absorbed fast like half a bagel or English muffin. For workouts longer than one hour, you want to eat a carbohydrate that takes longer to digest like a banana.

Drink enough water. Feeling lethargic is also caused by dehydration. Working out makes you sweat, so it’s necessary to replenish that water lost during training.  A good rule of thumb is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces and add more on training days.

Sleep more. If you are not getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night, this will only make your muscles more tired. Avoid late night workout sessions too if preventing you from getting in enough sleep.

Add rest days. If you are training almost everyday without a break, that will definitely wear you down quick.  I recommend taking at least 1-2 full days of rest. Listen to your body, take a break when you feel its needed.

As a general rule, make sure you get checked out by your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise program. Getting a check-up could  uncover any underlying medical reasons that could be making you tired.

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