A Supplemental Conversation

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January 4, 2013 by little hurdles big race

Ok confession – I take a lot of supplements.

Not Alli, Lipozne, or any of those other snake oil kinds of remedies. But vitamins, minerals, amino acids, oils, and such. See all plurals…it’s a lot. Yes, I have taken fat burners – but I am currently off them. That last brand I tried was making me a little nuts. I mean cry everyday, depressed, want to quit my job and move crazy. So, fair warning out there, be careful what you ingest and monitor your moods. Start off easy one by one if you are going to start any kind of supplement plan – that way you’ll know what is affecting you and how.

Today’s conversation is muscle recovery. With every workout you do you need to stay hydrated – this is key. Not from an occasional trip to the water fountain, but with your very own water bottle. Even mild dehydration makes you tired and reduces endurance. Two things to really avoid while working out. My water bottle contains water mixed with L-Glutamine powder. L- Glutamine is an amino acid that comes in a powder or liquid form. It is a naturally stored in the muscles of our body and provides nitrogen for many anabolic processes. What the heck does that mean??? Nitrogen is the building block of protein (which are chains of amino acids) which all animals need to produce cells. The anabolic process is the building of tissues (like muscles) in the body. Therefore – when you work out and stress your muscles you are expending the stores of amino acids that your body stores in the muscles that you are already straining by working out. L-Glutamine supplements restores your body’s cache of this essential amino acid. L-Glutamine also has proven benefits in healing wound injuries, cancer side effects, and burns. It increases the body’s naturally produced levels of growth hormone and helps repair the micro-tears you get after weightlifting. The side effects are very minor unless you are pregnant, have a pre-existing liver condition or are sensitive to MSG (weird huh?) See fitness can be educational…

I like the powder to mix with my water. It is a white powder that when fully mixed keeps the water clear. It has a taste I cant describe – not chalky, kind of sweet. Its slight and it can takes the weird taste I often find with tap water away. I do find that I feel less run down or tired after a workout where I have just had plain old water.

I was given the suggestion to start adding L-Glutamine to my workout by the one who always asks me everyday what I did at the gym. He also shames me if I answer too many days in a row that I didn’t go to the gym 😦 You may think it mean but at least I cant hide behind any excuses. He’s been working out since he was a teen and spent many years as a professional athlete – I figured he knows what he is talking about. We all need someone in our lives with that kind of drive – who won’t take our BS or excuses lightly especially when we can’t do it ourselves.

I got to the gym late today and really tried to talk myself out of cardio so I could get home and write my blog. Now really Kathy…how stupid is that? I caught myself in my own excuse. I overcame my BS today and I feel fantastic and empowered. Do you?