The Post Workout Window Of opportunity

Many folks new to working out and weight lifting routines are not aware that your muscles do not grow while you're in the gym. Still not growing like you want to? Spend as much time focusing on your nutrition as you do working out in the gym. Bigger and fuller muscles could be yours if you just take the advice in this article.

First things first you have to realize that your muscles do not grow in the gym. Your muscles are being damaged and ripped when you work out in the gym with weights. That's why you get a pump when you're really hitting your muscles hard... it's your body reacting by rushing blood to the "injured" muscles. So if you don't grow while you're working out in the gym when do you grow?

Your muscles begin to grow when you leave the gym and you stop abusing them! If you're smart you'll start to drink some carbohydrates and protein right after you put down the last weight so your muscles can start growing immediately.

The crucial nutrients that your body and muscles need right after a workout are carbohydrates and protein. If you're going to consume sugar this is the best time of the day to do it. After a workout your body is starving...literally! There's nothing left in your stomach and your body is getting ready to burn your muscles for energy since you burned all available fuel during your workout.If you want to start rebuilding your muscle and also give your body the critical nutrients it needs to survive then you want to make sure you consume three things!

Sugar or a simple carb is the first of three nutrients you need to take immediately following a workout. Your muscles are made of water and protein but protein are the "building blocks" of muscle. Since simple carbohydrates are normally broken down within 30 minutes you also want to make sure to consume some type of complex carbohydrates for long term energy. The post work out opportunity doesn't last forever and since that's the case most gym goers usually drink their protein and carbohydrates through a protein shake. There are many brands on the market that make protein shakes specifically for post workout.

You'll also need to eat a meal consisting of protein and carbohydrates within 2 hours of your weight training session if you really want to pack on the muscle. For complex carbohydrates I usually recommend rice or potatoes and for protein I typically recommend any red meat, chicken or fish. Once you realize that growing bigger muscles is more then just working out in the gym and going through your current bodybuilding workout program, you'll be on the fast track to getting huge and reaping the full benefits of your workouts. Taking advantage of the post-workout window of opportunity is step one to reaching your muscles full potential but it should have a pretty dramatic impact on your growth.