Routine problem

rjel78

So I started a routine of working out 3x per week and workout DVD's the other 4....the problem I'm having is at the gym. I eat about an hour before and drink water while I'm there. After I get home I am so hungry that I eat some foods I shouldn't be. Has anyone else experienced this or have any suggestions?

jemhh

When you say that you eat foods you shouldn't be eating, do you mean you are eating calories that you shouldn't eat and going over your calorie budget or specific foods that you feel are out of bounds?

lorrpb

Keep healthy calorie friendly snacks at the ready and get rid of the food you don't want to eat. I Always take an apple, cheese stick, and/or protein bar with me when I go to gym. I'm always starving after a hard workout so I try to prevent it by being prepared.

rjel78

All of the above

sarko15

All of the above. I am the same way, I am HANGRY after a workout, doesn't matter what I do. For me, preplanning is key. On Sundays I make enough dinner to last me the whole week, so after the gym I'm not puttering around in the kitchen trying to cook something and snacking to "take the edge off" which turns into overeating.

apullum

Oh yes--we runners call it "runger" I eat a light snack (usually a piece of fruit) before exercising, and a heavier snack (usually a protein bar) afterwards. Not only do I really love my protein bars to a ridiculous degree, but they're also quick and easy for me to grab one, rather than grabbing something that's less healthy. You might also try eating a little closer to your workout, if your stomach can handle it. I'm often working out early in the morning, so my fruit might be half an hour or less before my workout, but some folks would feel sick if they tried that.

spiriteagle99

Try drinking chocolate milk after your workout. The combination of protein and carbs works for a lot of people as a satisfying post-workout snack.

canadianlbs

i try to eat something that grew on a plant. not really because it's better than any other solution, just i'm sort of indifferent to plant-based foods so catching myself at that point where i'm too hungry to be fussy is one small way of redirecting myself.

jessef593

Yeah. But that's all part of working out. If you know you're having this problem why not eat less during the day and allot yourself more calories for post workout? Also, if you know you shouldn't be eating it. Like junk food, why do you buy it?

jemhh

If you're using an MFP calorie goal, you should be logging your exercise and eating the calories.

rjel78

I don't eat a ton of junk food, not like I used to. I'm just not eating salads and stuff like I should be. My nutrition is better than it used to be but not where I want it. My budget is very tight and I can't afford the healthiest of health foods just yet. I also do log my exercise (home and gym) and also track all foods so I'm held accountable

sammyliftsandeats

rjel78 wrote: »

I don't eat a ton of junk food, not like I used to. I'm just not eating salads and stuff like I should be. My nutrition is better than it used to be but not where I want it. My budget is very tight and I can't afford the healthiest of health foods just yet. I also do log my exercise (home and gym) and also track all foods so I'm held accountable

There's a bit of a problem in your thinking. Losing weight isn't about just eating salads. You can eat what you want, just tweak it to fit your calorie goals. You don't need to always eat salad and you don't need to always eat chicken and broccoli.

What helps you be successful in the long term is eating like how you can see yourself eating for life. If you want something else, you can eat that but just eat a smaller amount that fits your calorie goals.

rjel78

I know it's not all about salads but I eat a bit more junk food than i should and I want to correct that for my new lifestyle. I want to eat healthier for the long term

canadianlbs

not clear then whether it's your budget or your post-workout appetite that is causing trouble. fwiw, i'm lucky enough to have a grocery store between me and the gym, so i shop when i've finished lifting.

being post-workout hungry really makes me think more about buying real food. there's gummy bears that also happen, but overall i find myself walking the aisles and disqualifying anything that can't be turned into an actual meal. it's widened my food-buying scope quite a lot, and mostly in a good way.

also: i've definitely experienced it. in fact, i pmuch live it. i'm trying to get more conscious about having something real to eat ready BEFORE i leave home. because i ought to know by now that by the time i do get home i'll eat pretty much anything so long as it's not lively enough to escape.