IN THIS LESSON: Learn how muscle is built outside of the gym and your training

💤 Why Recovery Matters

When you're not in the gym, your body is doing the real work—rebuilding and repairing your muscles so they grow back stronger.

Here’s what happens during recovery:

  • Muscle fibers repair and grow

  • Hormones (like growth hormone) do their magic

  • Your nervous system resets so you can train again

Without enough recovery, your body stays in “breakdown mode” and you risk burnout, plateaus, or even injury.

📅 How Much Recovery Do You Need?

  • Rest Days: Aim for at least 2–3 full rest days per week

  • Sleep: Shoot for 7–9 hours per night

  • Muscle Group Rest: Let each muscle group rest for about 48 hours before training it again

Active recovery (like walking, stretching, yoga) is great too—it keeps blood flowing without adding extra stress.

🥗 Why Nutrition Is Non-Negotiable

Even with the best workouts, your muscles can’t grow without the right fuel.
Nutrition provides the building blocks for repair and growth.

🍗 3 Key Nutrition Pillars for Muscle Growth

  1. Protein = The Builder

    • Aim for around 0.8–1g of protein per pound of body weight

    • Helps repair and build muscle tissue

  2. Carbs = The Energizer

    • Fuel your workouts and help refill muscle energy stores

    • Don’t fear them—your body needs them to perform

  3. Fats = The Hormone Helper

    • Support healthy hormone function (like estrogen & testosterone)

    • Include sources like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil

🧃 Bonus: Pre & Post-Workout Nutrition

  • Before: A mix of carbs and protein (e.g., banana + peanut butter, or yogurt + granola)

  • After: A protein-rich meal or shake within 1–2 hours to jumpstart repair

🧠 Key Takeaway

Your workout is just the beginning.
Real muscle growth happens when you recover well and fuel right.

✅ Quick Reflection

  • Are you getting enough rest between workouts?

  • Are you truly prioritizing protein everyday? 

  • What’s one small change you can make this week to support your recovery?