The surest way to fitness and exercise program failure is thinking that fitness time begins and ends in the gym. In actuality, fitness is both and ongoing process and a lifestyle. Every decision you make in or out of the gym affects your fitness progress. And one of the most vital times to consider your decisions is what you eat after you work out.

After a good workout, if you did it right, you body is probably in pretty bad shape. Your muscles are torn up, you have completely burned through your body's glycogen, and your body is aching to get back some of the nutrition it has lost. So what should you consume after a workout to get it as efficient as it can possibly be? Start with water. Exercising depletes you of water, so drinking a lot after a workout will help you store your carbohydrates as blood sugar.

Next, eat some foods that are high in carbohydrates. These will give your muscles the energy to start repairing themselves.

About an hour after your workout you should start eating some protein. This will give your muscles the building blocks to grow. What the source of the protein should be varies widely depending on a trainer’s goals. A bodybuilder might eat some Tuna or red meat, while someone looking to lose weight might be more interested in lean chicken or tofu. Speak with your personal trainer about what post workout foods will help you make the most of you exercise time.