If you feel drowsy and tired while exercising, you may be eating the wrong food before training. Perhaps you are slightly dehydrated without being aware of this. Or you are exercising too soon after eating? What and when you eat has huge consequences for your energy and performance level and the amount of fat you burn during your exercise.
Refuel before exercising
Your food intake of one day and a few hours before training will determine how much energy you have during your exercise, and influence your performance. The carbs in your food are converted and stored in your muscles. The food before exercising will increase your blood sugar level, making you feel more energised and increasing your endurance.
You should eat two to four hours before a workout. This gives your body enough time to partly digest the food you ate. You should feel good, not full or hungry. Eat light meals that digest slowly before a workout.
During your workout
Water is sufficient for most activities that last less than an hour. If you plan to exercise longer than one hour, you will have to learn to eat and drink while exercising. Your endurance will improve if you increase your carb intake (in the form of solid food or fluids) while exercising.
After your workout
It is vital that you supply your body with the right food again after exercising. Funnily enough, your body does not become fitter and stronger during training, but afterwards. Eat the wrong food after exercising and you will feel exhausted for the rest of the day and you will have less energy.
