From a power walk through the park on a lunch break to a Pilates session at your local gym, the variety of workouts and fitness opportunities available mean there's literally something for everyone.

However, exercise also takes a lot from our bodies to sustain a workout. We become fatigued, muscles ache, and we lose a lot of fluid. This is why you must take care of yourself before, during, and after exercise sessions with adequate self-care. Great self-care means a comfortable workout and faster recovery; here are some tips to get you on the right track.

Before Your Next Workout

As you're approaching your upcoming gym session, it's time to prepare your mind and body to give your workout everything you've got. To do that, here are some tips;

• Positive self-talk is crucial. Use self-empowering affirmations to build your confidence and motivation. 

• Prepare supportive, stylish gym such as your Curves N Combatboots leggings ready. Comfortable gym wear makes you feel and look good!

• Drink plenty of water a few hours before leading up to your workout to hydrate your body.

• Eat well, including energy-efficient food such as complex carbs and vegetables.

During the Exercise Session

Self-care shouldn't stop as soon as you begin working out. Here are some pointers to keep in mind, to keep your motivation levels high;

• Switch off your mobile phone, unless you're streaming your workout. It'll be much easier for you to get in the zone to work out without it. Social media distractions encourage us to compare our lives to others, which isn't healthy when trying to make positive changes at the gym.

• Always stretch and warm-up. It'll help you to avoid any injuries during the workout.

• Take time to chat with others; socializing is excellent for your wellbeing. And it's nice to know that you'll be working out with others who share a common goal. 

• Sip water throughout the session. To help aid fluid loss during exercise. 

• Know your limits. Pushing yourself during exercise sessions is essential to challenge yourself and sculpt the body you want. But never push yourself too hard, too fast. This will result in injury and take you much longer to recover before your next session.

Following a Workout

Once the workout has finished, you can pat yourself on the back for sticking through it, despite any challenging moments. To help you unwind, here are a few tips to commit to post-workout;

• Stretch to avoid the issues of lactic acid building up, and muscles being incredibly sore the next day. I can't stress this enough.

• Indulge in healthy carbs and protein-rich food following your workout to replenish your body with what it needs to restore and build muscle.

• Continue drinking lots of water to restore the liquid you've lost from sweating.

• Take a nice shower with your favorite body scrub and hair care products. Wash away the sweat from your exercise. 

• You must try to commit to an early night after exercise. Sleep enables the growth hormone to increase, which repairs and builds muscle as you sleep.

• Your workout has likely helped by relieving you of stress; it's your job continue to maintaining that routing. Relax and recover while reading your favorite book, sipping on green tea, or indulging in a favorite hobby that doesn't cost you too much energy.

The self-care advice above is just as important as the workout itself. Help yourself and give your body what it needs at each point to maximize its full potential of preparing, exercising, and recovering.

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