The Official Health and Fitness Thread

[donkeyy0]

Any tips on what to eat before working out?

Day of or day before, or just tips in general

Not so much what but how.... I've been told something small before and absolutely nothing for at least an hour after. I don't know why the latter works but I've been doing that and it seems to.

Dude, that's just crazy. It's always a good idea to have a big shot of protein right after your workout (30m-1hr) to get your muscles rebuilding quickly.

Ya, I've always understood you want to have protein immediately after.

And as for what to eat before, I have whole wheat pasta before my races. Nothing heavy, a couple hours before.

If you're gonna exert yourself, do NOT eat anything too close to your workout. You WILL puke. I've done this enough times to know that it's completely 100% true.

Obviously a jog or something is no big deal, but depending on the level of exertion, it could get nasty.

 

[maplesyrup]

Any tips on what to eat before working out?

Day of or day before, or just tips in general

Not so much what but how.... I've been told something small before and absolutely nothing for at least an hour after. I don't know why the latter works but I've been doing that and it seems to.

Dude, that's just crazy. It's always a good idea to have a big shot of protein right after your workout (30m-1hr) to get your muscles rebuilding quickly.

Well, apparently it's factual so... Bullfrog just confirmed it. Now, proteins? That may be different but Carbs? Nope.

 

[Bender]

Any tips on what to eat before working out?

Day of or day before, or just tips in general

Not so much what but how.... I've been told something small before and absolutely nothing for at least an hour after. I don't know why the latter works but I've been doing that and it seems to.

Dude, that's just crazy. It's always a good idea to have a big shot of protein right after your workout (30m-1hr) to get your muscles rebuilding quickly.

Well, apparently it's factual so... Bullfrog just confirmed it. Now, proteins? That may be different but Carbs? Nope.

Well you said "absolutely nothing." That's just plain wrong from everything that I've read - protein is essential right after working out - talking with Kinesiology majors and reading any literature on muscle growth has verified this for me.

 

[TheMightyOdin]

I always have a protien shake post workout combined with a banana and peanut butter. Then I'll have some solid food maybe 90 minutes later.

Before a hardcore workout I have  complex carbs 2 hours before. Sometimes I add a small piece of fruit right before the workout like a small apple or a nectarine.

 

[Bullfrog]

Well, apparently it's factual so... Bullfrog just confirmed it. Now, proteins? That may be different but Carbs? Nope.

And I'd just like to point out that I didn't confirm anything, just passed on information from another source.  8)

 

[maplesyrup]

I guess if you wait an hour to eat after working out completely that means you obviously aren't taking in any carbs either. If proteins don't hurt then all the power to you (perhaps I should look into the benefits) but I've been having my workout at around 9:30-10:30 and waiting 'till noon to eat. I've been seeing results.

 

[Corn Flake]

I guess if you wait an hour to eat after working out completely that means you obviously aren't taking in any carbs either. If proteins don't hurt then all the power to you (perhaps I should look into the benefits) but I've been having my workout at around 9:30-10:30 and waiting 'till noon to eat. I've been seeing results.

The answer depends on what your goals are for them Sarge, there is no blanked answer for everyone.

If you are trying to add muscle/bulk up then it's imperative you load up with protein as soon after your workout as possible.. 30 mins is usually the max.  If you wait an hour you are not going to see good results.

If you are trying to lose weight then I could see holding off eating for an hour being beneficial, although that's the first I've heard of it.

 

[maplesyrup]

The answer depends on what your goals are for them Sarge, there is no blanked answer for everyone.

If you are trying to add muscle/bulk up then it's imperative you load up with protein as soon after your workout as possible.. 30 mins is usually the max.  If you wait an hour you are not going to see good results.

If you are trying to lose weight then I could see holding off eating for an hour being beneficial, although that's the first I've heard of it.

True enough. My routine is geared around general health and wellness and keeping in decent enough shape for a big run once a week. I just try to stay lean and don't lift a lick of weight.   

 

[donkeyy0]

The answer depends on what your goals are for them Sarge, there is no blanked answer for everyone.

If you are trying to add muscle/bulk up then it's imperative you load up with protein as soon after your workout as possible.. 30 mins is usually the max.  If you wait an hour you are not going to see good results.

If you are trying to lose weight then I could see holding off eating for an hour being beneficial, although that's the first I've heard of it.

True enough. My routine is geared around general health and wellness and keeping in decent enough shape for a big run once a week. I just try to stay lean and don't lift a lick of weight. 

Well I can't think it's very healthy to just not eat for an hour after any sort of significant workout. I'm not going by any medical journals, just from knowing my own body, but if I don't get something with electrolytes in my body (salt, potassium etc)...I feel like I'm in a very weakened state.

I guess it depends on the level of exertion again, but if I don't get something, ANYTHING in my stomach, driving home from the gym or the pool I'm lightheaded the entire way.

If you're sweating, you're losing a lot of water, and a lot of minerals. You should be looking to regain that stuff asap.

I get the carbs stuff, no carbs. But you gotta put something into your body or you'll pass out...

 

[db54]

True enough. My routine is geared around general health and wellness and keeping in decent enough shape for a big run once a week. I just try to stay lean and don't lift a lick of weight. 

Hello everyone, I've been following the site for a number of years, and posted a few times before the site went down. I do have a fair amount of knowledge in fitness and exercise, so just thought I could chime in.

I've had trouble finding evidence that suggests eating carbs after exercise is detrimental, aside from the Dr whose website was sourced, and I'm not sure how credible that website is.  For you, sarge, if your planning on doing a big run once a week I would think eating carbs within the first hour or so after exercise would be beneficial. Evidence suggests that there is a window following exercise where you can optimally replenish the sugar stores in your muscles. These energy stores are critical during exercise, especially for something like long distance running.

There is also evidence that eating carbs along with protein after working out can further stimulate the building of muscle tissue.

EDIT: I should add that in reality, if a certain thing works for you, and you feel the best when doing it then it's probably best to stick with it.

 

[maplesyrup]

... don't get me started again on sugars.  : Anyway, I think I'll just lay of the carbs immediately after working out. This place isn't the first where I saw it could be bad. As far as eating protein immediately after, I'm sure it's fine but to be honest, I'm not exactly starving myself by waiting an hour to eat @ noon. I usually have some nuts and berries here at work to graze on during the course of the day and if the mood strikes, I'll eat a handful. No worries there. 

 

[donkeyy0]

... don't get me started again on sugars.  : Anyway, I think I'll just lay of the carbs immediately after working out. This place isn't the first where I saw it could be bad. As far as eating protein immediately after, I'm sure it's fine but to be honest, I'm not exactly starving myself by waiting an hour to eat @ noon. I usually have some nuts and berries here at work to graze on during the course of the day and if the mood strikes, I'll eat a handful. No worries there.

If you're seeing results and it doesn't FEEL unhealthy, then it's definitely the right thing for you.

Different people, different plans right? If you're not lifting weights, the need for protein is much less.

 

[db54]

... don't get me started again on sugars.  : Anyway, I think I'll just lay of the carbs immediately after working out. This place isn't the first where I saw it could be bad. As far as eating protein immediately after, I'm sure it's fine but to be honest, I'm not exactly starving myself by waiting an hour to eat @ noon. I usually have some nuts and berries here at work to graze on during the course of the day and if the mood strikes, I'll eat a handful. No worries there.

If you're seeing results and it doesn't FEEL unhealthy, then it's definitely the right thing for you.

Different people, different plans right? If you're not lifting weights, the need for protein is much less.

I definitely agree.  Especially if you're exercising for general health and wellness, stick with what makes you feel the best. Everyone's body is different.

ps.  I wasn't trying to re-start a debate on sugars lol. My bad.

 

[Manson]

Hello everyone, I've been following the site for a number of years, and posted a few times before the site went down. I do have a fair amount of knowledge in fitness and exercise, so just thought I could chime in.

I've had trouble finding evidence that suggests eating carbs after exercise is detrimental, aside from the Dr whose website was sourced, and I'm not sure how credible that website is.  For you, sarge, if your planning on doing a big run once a week I would think eating carbs within the first hour or so after exercise would be beneficial. Evidence suggests that there is a window following exercise where you can optimally replenish the sugar stores in your muscles. These energy stores are critical during exercise, especially for something like long distance running.

There is also evidence that eating carbs along with protein after working out can further stimulate the building of muscle tissue.

EDIT: I should add that in reality, if a certain thing works for you, and you feel the best when doing it then it's probably best to stick with it.

Everyone please read this post as he is 100% correct.

This is the first place I've ever seen anyone suggest not eating after a workout.  Feeding your muscles post workout is Nutrition 101.  It doesn't get more basic. 

 

[maplesyrup]

Okay, I've just returned from my workout... I had a good sweat and I'm not the slightest bit hungry. I'll probably have lunch in about an hour and a half. I feel great and this routine in conjunction with my big weekly run seems to be working for me - I just don't feel my body is screaming at me to take in nutrition right now. I don't know, like some of you have suggested, stick with what feels right - correct? 

 

[Bender]

I'm confused here: If you're going for a big endurance run eventually, wouldn't you want some carbs in you for energy? I mean, athletes routinely eat pasta and whatnot before a big game for energy.

 

[db54]

I'm confused here: If you're going for a big endurance run eventually, wouldn't you want some carbs in you for energy? I mean, athletes routinely eat pasta and whatnot before a big game for energy.

You're right. For optimal performance, it's important to eat carbs, something like whole wheat pasta, before heavy endurance exercise.  Not immediately before, but probably around 2 hours or more before the exercise. This is because, as I mentioned before, it's important to have carbs available to be stored within your muscles.  These energy stores are crucial during endurance exercise. It's also possible to super-saturate these stores before a big race or event, but that's not really important for general exercise.

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm confused here: If you're going for a big endurance run eventually, wouldn't you want some carbs in you for energy? I mean, athletes routinely eat pasta and whatnot before a big game for energy.

Sorry. I used to run a few time a week. Now that I've learned about the benefits of surge training, I do that 2-3 times per week and only go for  nice long run once a week. My surge training consists of mostly stationary biking and sit-ups. - Basically anything that gets my heart rate up.  I've actually found that surge training + running has actually been more beneficial to me than just running.

Basically, for the purposes of when/what to eat post work-out, I'm just talking about my surge training. When I train between breakfast and lunch, I really have no desire to eat until lunch. - Especially since I heard the carbs were bad after doing so. Now, in terms of my big weekly run, I really haven't thought about what/when to eat after doing that. If you have any suggestions to the end, I'd be interested in hearing them... 

 

[Erndog]

There is also evidence that eating carbs along with protein after working out can further stimulate the building of muscle tissue.

Absolutely.  A few years ago when I was seriously training/working out every day I always had a protein shake mixed with some carbs (typically fruit) after a workout.  Nothing huge, but like an apple and a shake and I found that I felt great, and it did promote muscle growth (I wasn't doing it at first, started after 4-5 months and noticed a huge difference quickly).

Who knows though, Im sure everyones a little different but I'm a big believe that protein/carbs after a workout really replinishes what you've lost and promotes muscle growth (if that is what you are aiming for).

 

[Bender]

There is also evidence that eating carbs along with protein after working out can further stimulate the building of muscle tissue.

Absolutely.  A few years ago when I was seriously training/working out every day I always had a protein shake mixed with some carbs (typically fruit) after a workout.  Nothing huge, but like an apple and a shake and I found that I felt great, and it did promote muscle growth (I wasn't doing it at first, started after 4-5 months and noticed a huge difference quickly).

Who knows though, Im sure everyones a little different but I'm a big believe that protein/carbs after a workout really replinishes what you've lost and promotes muscle growth (if that is what you are aiming for).

I think there's absolutely no reason to treat carbs as if they're some kind of health menace, it's what kind of carbs and how much you eat and as long as you burn it off before it gets stored as fat then you're golden.