A good workout can be rewarding enough but for many people a little extra treat afterwards may be necessary. Whether it’s a vigorous run, an exercise class or some weight training, your body and your mind can benefit from post workout pampering. If you’re not seeing the results of your workouts as quickly as you’d like, indulging yourself can often help your mind feel more at ease after a strenuous workout.
When you think of treating yourself to a little indulgence, you don’t necessarily need to reach for food. There are many ways to spoil yourself after a workout without binging on an unhealthy snack. Post workout pampering doesn’t have to be done after every workout, either. You can choose to spoil yourself after reaching a personal workout goal or any other schedule you set up for yourself.
Rub Away the Pain
In the process of gaining a more slender and healthy you, your muscles will often ache and hurt. Some may live by the old adage, ‘No pain, no gain’, but that doesn’t mean you have to endure the soreness that can accompany a good workout. Sore muscles can leave you feeling tired, worn out and in some ways, defeated. After all, who wants to keep working out if every time you work out your body aches from head to toe?
Many women opt for a post workout massage or rub down sore muscles with lotions and relaxing creams. The benefits of a post work out massage reach far past pampering. You are doing something nice for yourself and any muscle tightness can generally be removed by a post workout massage. You don’t necessarily need to visit a spa, either. Ask your partner to provide a pampering massage and gladly return the favour to him!
Cater to Your Inner Shopaholic
Often times a shopping trip can boost your motivation and be an indulgence as well. The next time you have a positive workout or meet a milestone in your fitness goal, mark it with some new exercise or fitness gear. Splurging on new workout clothes, a CD to add to your workout playlist, or some equipment (think affordable like new hand weights), make a large difference in keeping you focused and positive about the healthy goals you’re achieving. New outfits or exercise gear are also tangible ways of tracking your progress. There’s no feeling like buying a new outfit in a smaller size or going to the next heaviest weights because your other ones are too light and the clothes are too big.
Treat Your Tootsies Well
You’re likely on your feet more hours of the day than you’d care to be. Between managing your home, working, and then fitting an exercise routine into it all, it’s a wonder your feet don’t give out on you some days.
Caring for those ten little toes should be an important part of your workout. A pedicure, foot soak or massage can improve your foot circulation and work out the tightness associated with being on your feet all day. For a little extra pampering, get those toes painted a bright, cheerful colour.
Relax the Mind and Body
Regardless of when you workout, end each day by meditating. One of the benefits of choosing meditating to spoil yourself after a workout is that it requires you to completely centre all of your attention. You can choose to focus on your breathing, music, calming sounds, whatever you prefer as long as you are totally focused. Meditation doesn’t require a lot of skill, so don’t be fearful of giving it a try if you’ve never meditated before.
Meditation offers other health benefits besides relaxing your body and mind. Meditation pampers you by lowering your heart rate and improving your blood’s circulation. It can also aid in lowering your blood pressure and everyday stresses. Consider mediation a treat for your overall well-being.
Wallow in Water
You likely shower after a vigorous workout but how often do you take the time to enjoy it? Rather than rush through your next post workout shower, set the water at the warmest temperature that you like and lather up in invigorating and refreshing shower gels and soaps. Citrus will wake your senses and rejuvenate you, while chamomile will calm and relax you.
The same can be said for a warm bath after your workout. Fill the tub with the warmest temperature that you prefer, add essential oils, bath beads, or salts and soak. The water on your skin will help loosen tight muscles while the scents of the essential oils will work wonders to calm and relax you.
The goal of pampering yourself after your workouts is to keep you motivated when you may not be seeing the results of a fitness routine as fast as you’d like. It can also be a welcome way to reward yourself for getting past those first five or ten pounds you wanted to lose. No matter your reasons for pampering yourself, never feel guilty about treating yourself to something wonderful. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you.
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