CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE November/December ISSUE | Page 115

Juan: This is an awesome tip. So when we are training we are
mostly in a sympathetic state, what should we do then to dive
into a parasympathetic state as soon as we finish training?
Robin: Post workout is often regarded as the most
important time to intake nutrients. It is less often
discussed that the intake of nutrients immediately after
completion of exercise is not optimal. The body simply
isn’t ready to assimilate and digest nutrients until it is in a
parasympathetic state. One of the most common
complaints from clients is that they are not hungry after
an intense workout or that they feel bloated for a long
time after eating a post workout meal.
The most effective way to prepare yourself to get the most
out of your post workout nutrition is to take 10 minutes
and simply just chill out. Breathe. Close your eyes and
allow the external stimulus around you to simply drift
away. Most people want to go right to Instagram and post
a picture, but my advice would be to wait. Wait until you’ve
given yourself a chance to get into a parasympathetic
state and take your post workout nutrition with a relaxed
state of mind. I guarantee you will start to see positive
changes not only in your body, but also in your mind.
Juan: You are very right about this. Not very often are people
prioritizing rest immediately after a workout. What are some
signs that we may be spending more time than desired in a
sympathetic state?
Robin: Be aware of your mental state. If you are feeling
run down, irritated, anxious, or experiencing a loss of
appetite, those are just a few of the signs that you are
spending more time in a state of sympathetic arousal then
is optimal. Take a day to unplug from social media. Do
something relaxing. Remember that you always have
control over your internal state.
Juan: Wow Robin. You have given us so much amazing
information that we can all take home to meditate on. Thank
you very much for your time and any of our readers who may
be interested in contacting Robin or Team Strand Strong for
online fitness coaching can feel free to contact him at
[e-mail].