Pursuing your health and fitness is one of the most important investments that you can make. The simple truth is that everyone ages and with age come to a lot of natural challenges. When you take the time to invest in your health and fitness, not only are you improving your present life but you are preparing your body to deal with the changes of age.
One of the most fundamental aspects of pursuing your health and fitness is that your journey will be unique. Every person’s body responds in its own way to exercise, sleep, nutrition, and recovery. Finding out what works for you and what doesn’t is a big part of the journey of pursuing your health and fitness journey, and it’s also the part that a lot of people get discouraged by.
Part of the process of understanding how to reach your physical goals is discovering what tools you need to get there. In the health and fitness world protein powder is one of the most popular and widely loved supplements. Protein powder is almost ubiquitous with the world of fitness and it can powerfully help you reach your goals in unique ways.
If you are just getting started in the world of health and fitness and have been curious as to why so many people love protein powder, here are three reasons it’s so popular.
1. Protein Builds Muscle
When some people hear the words ‘protein powder’ no doubt gym rats with hulking muscles and sweaty brows come to mind. Yes, it takes protein to build muscle and there is absolutely no way around that. For those who are trying to pack on the muscle and gain some weight, their protein intake needs to exceed their caloric burn. That’s because the body needs these important amino acids in order to build muscle mass and strength.
However, protein isn’t just for people who want to ‘bulk’. While the word ‘muscle’ might evoke visions of swoll bros, the truth is that everyone needs to build lean muscle, and it can look different from person to person. Lean muscle is one of the most important things that a person can build on their bodies and a variety of body types and shapes can put on lean muscle.
For example, take a runner who doesn’t want to put on a lot of weight or muscle. It’s important that they stay light so they can move quickly and not extend extra energy carrying around a lot of bulk. While runners are often not associated with ‘bulk muscle’, protein is a vital part of their training process because their muscles need to be supplied with protein all the same. Even people who enjoy light or moderate exercise can benefit from protein powder supplements.
Why? Because protein powders are simply a supplement. Meaning, that if a person isn’t getting the right amount of protein from their diet – they should supplement to fill the gaps. Now, this is very important to understand, that protein powder supplements are not meant to replace protein in your diet. You can’t get all the nutrition you need for your health from a powder – but they are a great way to fill the holes that naturally exist in your daily diet.
Whether you eat plant-based protein or meat-based, you should still emphasize protein in your diet alongside your supplemental protein. Those who want to increase their strength and muscle mass may require more protein than others. Those who expend a lot of energy may need more protein supplementally in order to recover adequately.
2. It’s Convenient
Technically no one ‘needs’ protein supplements as it’s possible to get all the protein you need from the meals you eat. However, a lot of people live in a reality where they don’t have the time, skill, or in some cases the budget, to put all the protein they need into their meals. This is one of the biggest reasons why protein powders have become so loved and popular.
Protein powder can be easily mixed with a variety of drink types throughout the day. Whether you take it post-workout or supplement your day in the morning by adding it to your favorite breakfast smoothie. Some protein powders are even flavored and simply need your favorite kind of milk to create a delicious treat.
3. Helps Recovery
Protein powder can be a great way to help your body recover and help you stay away from damage. When you put your body through a lot of stress and exercise, you need to supply it with the protein that it needs to fully recover, and protein supplements are a great tool for this.
Conclusion
The best part about protein powder is that anyone can use it no matter where they are on their fitness journey. From the person who just got a gym membership for the first time in their life, to the avid enthusiast, there are easy, effective ways to integrate this supplement into your life.
