5 Drinks That Will Take Your Fitness Results to the Next Level
Few beverages can compete with water when it comes to fueling your body before and after a workout. Here are five drinks that provide additional benefits.
Water is key for getting smooth skin, boosting your energy levels, forming sexy, lean muscles and reaching your fitness goals. But sometimes after a hectic day at work or school, you crave something a little more interesting.
There are a few other drinks that carry all the perks of water and pack a lot of bright, refreshing flavor. Today we're sharing five beverages that will take your fitness results to the next level.
1. Protein Smoothie
Having clean protein after a workout is one of the best things you can do to keep your body strong and your skin glowing. Protein is a powerful macronutrient that keeps you fueled, boosts your metabolism and helps you form lean muscle after a booty-kickin' workout.
Adding clean, non-GMO, gluten-free Tone It Up Protein to your smoothies is an amazing way to boost your protein intake and make your smoothies creamy and delicious. Try our Tropical Paradise Smoothie Bowl after your next workout for a refreshing way to hydrate and refuel.
2. Kombucha
Kombucha is a trendy drink here in the U.S., but it's actually been around for more than 2,000 years in China. This tangy fermented tea is known for its high content of gut-healthy probiotics, but did you know that it can also boost your metabolism and give you a kick of energy?
Kombucha is rich in B-complex vitamins, which help to metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats, enabling your body to use the energy they provide. So when you're feeling low in energy, sip on a bottle of kombucha and perk up.
3. Green Tea
Green tea is a metabolism-boosting powerhouse. One study found that those who took a capsule of decaffeinated green tea extract before their workouts lost 1.6 percent more body fat than those who didn't and that their fat oxidation rates (or the rates at which their bodies burned fat for energy) increased by a whopping 25 percent.
The catch? You would have to drink six to seven cups of green tea a day to get as much as the study participants. Challenge accepted.
Green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine that decreases jitters and anxiety without making you drowsy, helping you approach your workout with a clear mind. Before you hit the gym, pour a cup of green tea over ice for the perfect summer drink.
4. Coconut Water
Your body loses tons of electrolytes during a sweat session, and that can lead to major muscle cramping. Our go-to drink to replenish those stores? Coconut water. It's an amazing natural source of sodium and hard-to-get potassium, which your body needs to stabilize your electrolyte levels. Coconut water is also naturally sweet and refreshing, so you can enjoy it during or after your workout.
5. Green Juice
After our morning yoga class, you can usually find us grabbing a cold-pressed green juice. A bottle of juice loaded with leafy greens like kale and spinach delivers potassium to soothe sore muscles. And guess what: Veggies contain protein too! One bottle of green juice has two to four grams. Just make sure you get or make a juice with all veggies and little to no fruit to avoid a spike your blood sugar levels.
Eat Your Way to Toned Abs
Abs are made during your workouts, but they are revealed with on-point nutrition. We made the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan to help women feel and look their absolute best. It's actually based on how we eat (and drink) every day. As a member, you'll instantly gain access to thousands of lean, clean and green recipes that will bring your results to the next level. Join now at toneitup.com.
What Do YOU Think?
What's your go-to beverage when you're gearing up for or winding down from a workout? Did any of this information surprise you? Share in the comments section!