Energy
is the single most important part of getting the most out of your
exercise. If you haven't eaten enough, or you've eaten the wrong
food, you'll find yourself struggling more than you should be. The
human body is just like a machine – without fuel it simply won't
function.
If
you are a runner or a walker, you'll need to loads up on
carbohydrates before you head out. Carbs are one of the easiest
organic products to find, so you shouldn't have too many problems
with this one. If you want to step your healthy diet/activity balance
up to the next level, try to get your carbohydrates from sources
other than wheat. Wheat is actually a big cause of inflammation in
the muscles, so will fuel you on your run, but will hinder the
recovery of your muscles and joints once you get back.
For
exercise sessions which last more than 80/90 minutes, you'll need
some extra fuel to keep you going. Sports drinks usually serve as
this extra dose of energy, and their carbohydrate and electrolyte
ingredients are great, but there's also a whole host of other
ingredients which are far from natural. 'Clif' energy bars are a
great way of re-energising when you need a little helping hand. Their
bars are made from organic rolled out, which are a fantastic form of
energy. A few blueberry also provide you with some antioxidants,
aswell as that all important deliciousness!
The
same principle applies to refreshment. Sports drinks do have some
benefits, but not as your main source of hydration. With hydration,
why not stick with the master? Water is always the winner in this
battle. Try mineral water instead of spring water; the high mineral
content will help to replce the minerals you lose when sweating.
On
that note, it's important to remember that your body needs more than
water after you've exercised. When you sweat, you salt and mineral
level can become incredibly imbalanced. The usual symptoms of this
are intense headaches and lack of concentration. A couple of handfuls
of organic salted peanuts will give you a salt boost and some organic
bananas and oranges should adequately replenish your vitamin levels.
Getting
a good night's sleep is imperative after you've exercised. Even if
you stretch afterwards, drink enough and eat enough you can still end
up with a few troublesome aches and pains. If you don't have a good
quality mattress, your ability to recover and replenish energy will
be seriously hindered. Most people don't think of it this way, but
sleep is actually more important than food. A high quality,
supportive mattress is a must, even if you aren't exercising a lot
(If you don't exercise, congratulations on reading this far down the
article). Natural latex mattresses are the natural alternative to
memory foam mattresses. The supportive nature of the mattresses,
combined with their organic certification (they are made using
organic cotton, organic wool and a number of other organic
materials.) makes organic natural latex mattresses the perfect choice
to the organic athlete!
Paying attention and understanding your body is one of the central principles behind an organic lifestyle. Looking after your joints, back and getting a good night's sleep are all great ways to ensure your body cooperates with you when you are out and about! Supportive natural latex mattresses are a great way to support your body, without all of the nasty chemicals you might find in memory foam.
