Let's be honest. Some days we have to convince ourselves to workout. I know I have experienced this on a number of occasions. Some people use the famous pre-workout as a way to provide energy and get an adrenaline rush. But is this necessary? Most of the pre-workouts are filled with chemicals and "natural flavours". So what do we do instead? I've found some great natural, whole food replacements, that will be sure to help you feel more motivated.
Nurished Superfood Energy Blend: This is a great natural solution to pre-workout. It contains fruits, veggies, some caffeine and is only 10 calories per serving (fyi). This nutrient packed energy blend is also great for on-the-go pre-workouts. It comes in little packets that you can easily store in your purse, or bring with you on a run.
Dates: Dates are naturally high in sugar, so they are sure to give you a quick energy boost before your workout. Though, I would not recommend eating dates in large amounts (due to their sugar content) they make a great pre-workout snack. They are also a slow-releasing carb. This allows for a steady flow of energy. So, you can be sure to sustain your energy throughout your whole workout.
Fruit Smoothie: Fruit smoothies are not only packed with rich fibre, but they have lots of natural sugar. Again, this is a great energy booster and makes an excellent post-workout meal. It gives you that zap of energy you need to get motivated for your workout ahead.
Coffee: This may be a conflicting one for some people. Coffee can be a good substitute for a pre-workout. This all natural alternative contains 80-100 milligrams of caffeine per cup! This caffeine boost may be all you need to push hard through your workout. DISCLAIMER: Coffee isn't for everyone. If you are super sensitive to caffeine, you may want to skip this one.
Beetroot Juice Some people swear by this one. Having Beetroot juice prior to a workout is said to help improve blood circulation and oxygen flow to tired muscles. This improves strength, performance and endurance! Not only that, but beets alone are a super-food. They are rich in antioxidants and fibre!
Green or Matcha Tea: This one is my personal favourite. I can go on and on about the benefits of matcha and green tea, but let's just stick to the basics. Green tea or matcha both have caffeine content in them which helps to give you a great, steady boost of energy. Personally, I can tell the difference between a workout with green and matcha tea and without it. Both of these ingredients are also packed with antioxidants which helps elevate those energy levels and optimize your performance. It is also said, that specialized flavonoids and polyphenols in matcha tea may help blood vessels relax and recover from exercise (bonus!). I dare you to try it and not love it! Green tea and matcha do have a bitter taste, so if it's not for you, you can always sneak matcha into a fruit smoothie ;)
Energy Bomb Powder: If you're looking for something blended and all ready to go. This Energy Bomb Powder is a great option. This blend of antioxidant rich ingredients gives you a steady flow of energy for 8 hours! That is more than enough time to get that workout in. It's a great healthy alternative to coffee as well. I love to have this on it's own, but feel free to mix it with something, or take it as a shot!
What are your favourite pre-workout alternatives? Let us know!