Did you know that there are 650 muscles in the human body? These muscles are essential for supporting movement, walking, sitting, standing, just to name a few. Our muscles also help us maintain posture and proper circulation throughout the body. We have muscles all throughout the body and they help to produce movements such as facial expressions, eye movements as well as respirations!
There are also different types of muscles: Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.
Many people associate the muscular system with strength and muscle building, but this important body system does much more than just show off how much work we put in at the gym. We have muscles all throughout our body that produce movements associated with facial expressions and even our respirations. Having healthy muscles matters so here are some ways to give your muscles a boost:
Tip #1: Consume good quality Protein
Muscles are mostly made up of proteins. It’s important to include protein in your diet to replenish what is lost during workouts. Proteins include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and milk products.
Tip #2: Stay Hydrated
This is especially important before, during, and after exercise. By staying hydrated, you can help your muscles function normally and also help prevent cramping. Dehydration can decrease muscle strength so stay hydrated by drinking enough throughout the day and even more during strenuous activity.
Tip #3: Keep Moving
Ever hear the saying if you don’t use it you lose it? You can certainly lose your muscle strength if you live a sedentary lifestyle, so you will want to keep your body active and moving as much as possible. Try adding some light resistance training to your fitness routine to help keep your muscles strong.
For this week’s challenge, I challenge you to eat to fuel muscle health and strength. Aim for adding the following foods to your diet:
- Complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Healthy protein sources: Grass-fed animal products, eggs, legumes, beans, wild-caught fish.
- Fruits and vegetables to fuel your body with essential vitamins and minerals
Fueling your muscles all comes down to eating a well-balanced diet which is even more important when you exercise regularly. You will want to make sure you are replacing what has been depleted to keep your muscles strong.