What to eat pre-workout

haibu

I started crossfit and I've found I'm kind of dizzy/spot-seeing during the workout once it really gets going. Is this a fitness level thing or a diet thing?

My pre-workout morning meal is usually eggs/protein + veg/fruit. Should I have something more carby/grainy?

wolfsbayne

I tend to eat something that contains carbs and protein. More carbs than protein. I lift heavy and haven't experienced any dizziness.

Capt_Apollo

depending on the length and intensity of my workout, i'll have something as little to a cup of coffee and a banana, to as much as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

carbs are your bodies fuel source, and are usually recommended to have pre-workout.

999tigger

Carbs and hydrate. Carbs give you an easy source of energy for your body to use and water is also importnat to be effective. Dizzy is a warning sign for me im overdoing it, lack the fuel or lack water. My response is to take a rest, eat some carbs (I take some with me (banana), even a piece of candy, drink water). You get to know your body and when its performing well plus what it needs. I can also get a bit paranoid im not at peak, so am always montoring my performance.

If your pre workout meal is about an hour before and your workout is <1hr then its unlikely to be a food/ fuel issue. Experiment and see. Ive also seen lack of salt suggested on here.

haibu

I'm so going to eat a PB&J sandwich next time, that sounds SO good. I might go eat one now.

As for taking a rest...that brings me to one thing I don't really like about crossfit, that group/competitive aspect that seems to discourage rest or stopping for a sec, maybe it's in my head, but I feel like I'm not keeping up or "giving it my all" or "committing" or whatever the catchphrase is if I need to stop for a second...something I probably wouldn't (smartly) think twice about if I was alone.

Capt_Apollo

haibu wrote: »

I'm so going to eat a PB&J sandwich next time, that sounds SO good. I might go eat one now.

As for taking a rest...that brings me to one thing I don't really like about crossfit, that group/competitive aspect that seems to discourage rest or stopping for a sec, maybe it's in my head, but I feel like I'm not keeping up or "giving it my all" or "committing" or whatever the catchphrase is if I need to stop for a second...something I probably wouldn't (smartly) think twice about if I was alone.

pushing yourself hard to exceed your limits is good and should be encouraged. pushing yourself to the point of injury or where you will faint is bad.

999tigger

The next bit after feeling dizzy could be you fainting, honestly its not a good look. I thought with crossfit you competed against yourself? I push myself all the time but hardly ever feel dizzy, if I did i'd stop. Health is more important as Apollo said, what happens if you injure yourself? That could take you out fo a period and then you arent competing against anyone being sat at home.

callsitlikeiseeit

I typically work out in the morning. I usually eat breakfast before hand and its usually a carb and a protein. Today it was a slice of multi grain type toast and pb2 , sometimes its an egg on an english muffin. things like that, normally.

experiment and see what works best for you.

lulucitron

I'll usually have a protein shake before I work out or some lavash crackers with light babybel cheese and some berries. Something not too heavy.

yhealthy2000

You need a combination of complex carb and protein. My workout is intense for at least two hours at a stretch. Weights and cardio. I eat about 200 to 250 calories 20-30 minutes before starting. Also, I drink 8-10 ounces of caffeine. Plus water and Powerade during workouts. Works great for me. Post workout, I have a whey protein drink. I've been doing this for 8 years at the gym.