The way you treat your body before, after and in-between workouts can make a difference in maximizing your endurance, comfort and potential. Here are 5 workout recovery tips to help you get the most out of your workouts.

1. Refuel
An effective option to refuel your tired muscles is lowfat chocolate milk, according to a recent study. When athletes drank chocolate milk after an intense period of exercise, they were able to workout longer and with more power during a second workout compared to when they drank a carbohydrate replacement beverage.

2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Staying hydrated is important before, during and after your race. Sweating is your body's natural way to release heat from your hard-working muscles, but during strenuous exercise you can become dangerously dehydrated from too much water loss. Aim to minimize dehydration by drinking regularly during exercise and be sure to drink fluids to replace water loss after exercise.

3. Pamper your sore muscles
You can expect the usual aches and pains after a race. Ice sore muscles and be sure to visit the doctor to take care of any more serious injuries.

4. Keep carbs coming
Carbohydrates are essential for muscles to recover after strenuous exercise. Experts recommend eating as soon as tolerable after exercise. In addition, continue to eat foods that are rich in carbohydrates for several weeks following a race to replenish your carbohydrate stores.

5. Get balance
When you sweat, you lose important electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Keeping these minerals in balance is crucial to your body's normal function. Typical recovery favorites like pizza, pretzels or bananas contain sodium and potassium to help your body rebalance. But don't forget milk - it's a good source of potassium!

And don't forget to take some time to enjoy your accomplishments. You deserve it!