Evening workouts... when to eat dinner??

GlutenFreeAussieGirl

I usually get home from work at about 5pm, and I'm trying to figure out what my schedule should be. I try and eat before 7, but have been known to eat dinner as early as 5 or 5:30 (I go to bed about 10 and if I eat any later it sits heavy), so is it better for me to eat dinner, then work out? Or work out then eat dinner?

TIA for any advice

girlinahat

It depends on what your goal is and what your workout is. Eating before lifting weights will help you fuel the workout and achieve a better lift, same with cardio. A fuelled workout will help you achieve that workout better and be a better athlete.

If just fat loss is your goal, then fasted workouts may be better.

I would just go with what feels right for you. If you are used to eating early, then eat early and then workout. Sometimes I don't have time to eat properly before working out, so I have a snack to get me through and then eat after, but I tend to eat much later than you so am used to it.

Steve4239

It's completely what works for you. In the week i don't have a solid tea because it will affect my running at 8:30pm. I just have a shake replacement meal then i'm getting all of my vitamins proteins exc but not the stitch i would have if id had eaten.

It may do you best to eat a banana on the way home from work then work out at 6 then have your tea at 7.

atypicalsmith

I can't eat before workouts or I have to go flying to the bathroom.

70chevellegsp

My wife and I eat dinner around 5-5:30 and then relax for about a 1/2 hour before we workout (Lifting and HIIT). Whatever works for you is what you should do!

jemhh

The best thing to do is whatever works for you.

If I'm going to lift, I eat my normal dinner and then lift immediately afterward (well, after doing the dishes.)

If I'm going to run, I eat about half my normal dinner at 6ish, wait until about 8:15 to run, and then eat the rest of dinner when I get back around 9:30.

yesimpson

If I was you, I'd eat after working out. My workouts are usually running, swimming, or lifting of relatively wimpy weights, and all of those things make me feel queasy on a few stomach or I get a stitch.

Plus an awesome meal including the extra exercise calories will be something to look forward to when the workout gets tough.

ECTexan

I always eat after workouts. I feel like food in my tummy slows me down, and sometimes makes me want to throw up during particularly strenuous sessions.

deluxmary2000

I prefer to eat before I workout, but I have an absolutely iron stomach so that's what works for me.

hybridtheory45

I get home from work around 5:45, finish eating dinner by 7 or 7:30, then go workout around 8:30. I feel like an hour's digestion time is enough for me. I honestly prefer to workout before I eat, but our schedule works better eating first, so I make do.

deetails26

If I wait until after dinner it will never happen. I will have a snack before working out if I'm feeling sluggish, otherwise I work out while dinner is in the oven, or will do my workout before I prepare it. I work out at home so this works for me.

Hownow37

dlboyle26 wrote: »

If I wait until after dinner it will never happen. I will have a snack before working out if I'm feeling sluggish, otherwise I work out while dinner is in the oven, or will do my workout before I prepare it. I work out at home so this works for me.

Thank you, I don't feel so weird now.

doralim1990

If i need to workout before i eat, i will eat something light for example oatmealcookies or a pb with banana. And then go workout. And then eat a big portion of post workout meal

7lenny7

I don't know what kind of workout you're talking about but for running, I don't want to eat much at all for at least 2 hours prior. What I do is either start my run immediately after getting home from work, or sit with my family during their supper, maybe having a taste of this or a bite of that, then go run, then come home and reheat dinner.

kwtilbury

Most will tell you that timing doesn't matter, but I like to eat my big meal at night after I train. I tend to consume about 40% of my daily calories pre-training during the day and the remainder post-training at night.

VykkDraygoVPR

I do it both ways, but I always prefer to eat something first. If I don't eat dinner first, then I grab a snack. I can do cardio fasted, but I don't enjoy it nearly as much.