Today a friend and I were talking about the benefits of protein.
I know some people say that you get enough protein from your everyday diet.
This is true if every meal you eat has protein...but most of us don't eat that way.

I suggest a woman eat .5 grams of protein for every pound she weighs.
Men should aim for 1 gram per pound they weigh.

For example:
A whole chicken breast without skin has about 30 grams of protein. A can of tuna also averages 30 grams.

During our workouts our muscles breakdown. This is the catabolic phase. After a workout they begin to recover, called the anabolic phase. During the anabolic phase our muscles use the protein available in our body to rebuild and repair. One of the reasons we can get so sore is that we have not put enough of the right kind of protein in our body to allow the recovery process to happen the way nature intended.

Even though our muscles are made primarily of protein, our bodies need some help getting the muscles to accept the amino acids and move the recovery process along.

This is why protein is so important after a workout. It may be hard to eat a can of tuna on your way home from the gym, but a protein shake is simple, convenient and provides what your muscle needs.

I tell my clients to drink a protein shake within 30 minutes of their workout. You can mix the powder with water or milk. And there are tons of flavors to choose from!

When protein shopping make sure to let them know what your goals are and they can suggest one that's right for you.

Don't go crazy with protein either...too much is hard on your body. Find a balance that works for you and your lifestyle. A little more protein may just be what you need to make a big difference in your workouts.

Have fun!
Gina

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