WHAT TO EAT BEFORE A WORKOUT

AS YOU get accustomed to a healthier lifestyle, it’s not uncommon to get the fitness bug and enjoy exercising more. Many WW members surprise themselves with how often they work out — and look for new challenges such as park runs or charity walks. And this often prompts a host of questions about the best way to fuel your exercise sessions, particularly if you’re also trying to lose a few pounds. Here, WW experts answer some of the most frequently-asked:

QARE sports drinks good or bad for me?

Awater is best for lowintensity or shortduration activities because otherwise you’ll only be consuming empty calories.

Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade, are designed for high- intensity sessions lasting 60-90

minutes or longer and contain the right level of glucose to top up your blood sugar levels as your energy stores are used up.

They also contain electrolytes, such as sodium, to speed up the body’s absorption of fluids and replace electrolytes lost in sweat. Don’t forget to log their Smart Point values on the app.

QI’M EXERCISING more as I’m trying to lose weight. I get hungrier after a work-out but don’t want to undo all my hard work. What do you suggest?

AYOUR best bet is to plan your meals and snacks to fit in with your activity so you’re not tempted to add extra food to your day.

Try timing a snack so you’re not famished between meals. Remember to take advantage of ZeroPoint snack and starter options; a small bowl of vegetable soup might take the edge off your hunger, for instance.

QMY FAVOURITE spin class is just after work at 6.30pm. I’m always starving beforehand — what should I eat?

ATRY restructuring your meals on the days you exercise after work to help you through the classes.

Aim to eat your main meal at lunchtime (two to four hours before your workout), have a nutritious snack one to two hours before (snacks combining carbohydrates and protein are easy to digest) then eat a light supper afterwards.