Did your know your body burns more calories digesting proteins than carbs or fat. Protein also satisfies your hunger, so you feel full longer after eating a protein-rich meal. Protein also helps you build and maintain muscle! All you have to do to maximize your workout is to know when to increase your protein intake around your workout.

Protein improves strength
Protein can drastically enhance your strength. High amounts of protein can be found in foods like chicken, eggs, cottage cheese, and nuts. Whey protein can be found in milk and cheese as well. Whey protein makes up about 20% of cow’s milk.

Protein helps tone and burn fat
To burn fat and achieve a toned body, experts say you should eat about 1/2 gram – 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. For example, a 140-pound woman would want a daily intake of around 70 to 140 grams of protein a day to help tone and burn fat. Any type of cardio burns calories. Sustaining a fast walk for 30 minutes will burn about 300 calories. Thirty minutes of cardio should be your minimum goal.  Try working out in the morning, which helps raise your metabolic rate throughout the day, therefore, maximizing your results. To maintain and build muscle, power yoga or weight lifting are the perfect exercises.