what do you eat before a workout

boxerbby
boxerbby Posts: 24
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
this time i want to know what you guys eat before a workout,and how long to wait before you start ?:bigsmile:
also, does it give you energy?

Replies

  • katzplay62
    katzplay62 Posts: 66
    When I worked out after work, I'd have a snack around 2:30 or 3 to be ready for a brutal class at 5. The snack would be moderate, half a sandwich or a nutrition bar with a decent protein content.

    I work out in the AM now and don't eat til I've showered afterwards. :)

    Cheers

    Kat
  • marniehodges
    marniehodges Posts: 264
    Good protein and some carbs...I need both for energy to get through the workout! :bigsmile:

    Oh and make sure you're well hydrated with lots of water before you go, helps muscles and you don't get as sore!
  • Naomi91
    Naomi91 Posts: 892 Member
    You dont really need carbs, but definately protien! If you take whey protien, wait 30 min before workout. If you eat meat, wait 1 hour
  • trekkiebeth
    trekkiebeth Posts: 172
    I have half a banana or a small bar a few minutes before I work out in the morning, then eat breakfast after.
  • myladyelliott
    myladyelliott Posts: 63
    I can't eat within an hour or more before working out, or I get really sick to my stomach. If I'm working out first thing in the morning, I usually just have a cup of V8 before I head to the gym, then eat breakfast afterward.
  • modernfemme
    modernfemme Posts: 454 Member
    I do yoga and a lot of the poses have you on your stomach. I actually try not to workout until about an hour after I eat, and 30 minutes after I work out.
  • ctheslayer
    ctheslayer Posts: 79
    I posted this link in a similar topic thread:

    http://espn.go.com/trainingroom/s/1999/1112/166818.html
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    Nothing before working out. I work out at 4:30 am. I can't eat that earlier. It will hurt my tummy.
  • addman72
    addman72 Posts: 220
    Nothing before working out. I work out at 4:30 am. I can't eat that earlier. It will hurt my tummy.

    Im the same , I'll have breakfast after the workout and shower
  • _Bro
    _Bro Posts: 437 Member
    You dont really need carbs, but definately protien! If you take whey protien, wait 30 min before workout. If you eat meat, wait 1 hour

    Agree with you on the protein.
    Fasted cardio is great and did wonders for me.. However, you do run the risk of burning muscle instead of fat. Furthermore, it's easier to over train and mess up your gains/losses :)
  • _Bro
    _Bro Posts: 437 Member
    You dont really need carbs, but definately protien! If you take whey protien, wait 30 min before workout. If you eat meat, wait 1 hour

    Agree with you on the protein.
    Fasted cardio is great and did wonders for me.. However, you do run the risk of burning muscle instead of fat. Furthermore, it's easier to over train and mess up your gains/losses :)

    Here's an article on some of the trade offs / things to consider:
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/assessing-fasted-cardio-training.html
  • Spitfirex007
    Spitfirex007 Posts: 749 Member
    A banana and a 1/2 scoop of Whey protein.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    I usually don't eat before my morning workout.__
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    I dont eat before my morning workout either :bigsmile: Working out in a fasted state is supposed to be beneficial in terms of fat loss. Google it.

    Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • anolan807
    anolan807 Posts: 273 Member
    Today before my P90X workout I had a Luna bar. They are really good for Women and it gave me energy for the workout. I had it about an hour and a half before the workout.
  • HilarieXcore
    HilarieXcore Posts: 214 Member
    I used to have some peanut butter on a piece of bread orr between two graham crackers.
    Then lots of water.
    It was the only thing that could get me through a workout & the only thing that could get me through colorguard practice when we started running a lot.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    I used to have some peanut butter on a piece of bread orr between two graham crackers.
    Then lots of water.
    It was the only thing that could get me through a workout & the only thing that could get me through colorguard practice when we started running a lot.

    Thanks a lot, now I want peanut butter. :tongue:
  • istayfly4her
    istayfly4her Posts: 12
    U def don't want to have a big meal.. Something small is great.. But alot of ppl are saying it, protein 30 mins before a workout is great.. A nice protein shake is quick and effective for a nice workout!!
  • wendehaynie
    wendehaynie Posts: 13
    i don't eat anything prior to working out. it's best for me but it was interesting to read the prior posts.
  • erikblock
    erikblock Posts: 230 Member
    I workout after work (either 8 p.m. or 6 p.m., depending upon the day), and I always eat a banana about 30-45 minutes before I leave work (and sometimes I have a granola bar with it).

    On days that I run out of bananas and have only a granola bar, I notice a definite difference. I have trouble getting through my workout. Sometimes I completely crash and quit partway through. I just can't do it without my banana! :)

    -E
  • milaxx
    milaxx Posts: 1,122 Member
    I make my own green juices with whatever fruit is on hand and I add spurilina & flaxseed powder to them. If I'm really hungry I may eat a hard boiled eggs or a handful of almonds.

    I eat while getting ready for the gym, so including travel time I eat probably 30-45 mins before working out.
  • CombatVet_Armywife
    CombatVet_Armywife Posts: 300 Member
    You dont really need carbs, but definately protien! If you take whey protien, wait 30 min before workout. If you eat meat, wait 1 hour

    I've actually read and heard (from many nutritionists as well as personal trainers) otherwise in regards to carbs....

    For what to eat before a workout.....this article broke it down fairly simply. It is also quite similar to many other suggestions I've heard AND read....

    http://www.building-muscle-guide.com/pre-workout-meal.html

    To quote the article:
    Before hitting the gym you need to provide your body with the right nutrients to perform at your best. Your pre workout meal should be planned to do exactly this.

    The goal of your pre workout nutrition is to make sure you are at peak strength to begin working out, and to provide a steady stream of energy to your muscles and mind throughout your time at the gym.

    What and When to Eat?
    First things first, you need to be properly hydrated. Even though you should be drinking water steadily throughout the day, make sure that you drink some in the few hours leading up to your workout. If your workout is early in the morning, soon after waking up, just drink some water just after rising.
    Now, with your pre workout meal, you should eat it at least 45 minutes before starting your workout so your food has time to settle.

    Protein
    The first component of the meal is protein. Eating enough protein will keep your body in an anabolic state during your workout to reduce muscle breakdown. I recommend consuming 30-40 grams of high quality protein in your pre workout meal. If you can, try to get your protein from whey protein and casein. You can achieve this easily by mixing 25-30 grams of whey protein in 300-400ml of skim milk.
    Whey protein makes for a great pre-workout choice because it is naturally high in BCAA's, which help to prevent muscle catabolism during your workout. Mixing your whey with milk is a good idea because this will slow down the release of the protein and provide your body with a steady stream of amino acids throughout your workout.

    The reason whey protein is a great choice for pre-workout is because it's naturally high in Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's). BCAA's will help to prevent muscle breakdown during your workout. Also, mixing the whey protein with skim milk is a sound idea because this will slow down the release of the protein to give a steady stream of energy to your body throughout the workout.

    Carbohydrates
    The other part of effective pre workout nutrition is eating the right types of carbohydrates. Low glycemic carbohydrates are what you need as they provide a steady stream of energy to the body.
    High glycemic carbohydrates are what you need to avoid before an intense workout. They are rapidly released in your bloodstream and your body will release a surge of insulin to try and level out your bloody sugar levels. This results in a quick rise of energy, then followed by a quick fall. This will leave you tired and weak, which is the last thing you want to happen during an intense workout.

    So avoid high glycemic carbs and make sure to eat low glycemic carbs for your pre workout meal. Some good choices are apples, oatmeal, low fat yoghurt, low fat milk and wheat bread. These low glycemic carbohydrates will give you a solid stream of energy.

    Summing It Up
    Your pre-workout meal shouldn't be too large so you feel sick during your workout. On the other hand, you shouldn't ever skip this meal as working out on an empty stomach could even lose you muscle.
    So to sum it all up, an effective meal could look like this:


    •30-40 grams of whey protein mixed in 300-400ml of skim milk or water
    •A serving of low-glycemic carbohydrates (eg: apple, oatmeal, yoghurt, wheat bread, skim milk)

    Hope this helps! :)
  • curleesam
    curleesam Posts: 462 Member
    Something with protein! I work out at 7pm so I've already had my three meals for the day. I have dinner an hour before and make sure it's got protein in it. Also by this time of day I've already had about 6 or 7 glasses of water. I notice a big difference if I gym before dinner or when I'm dehydrated. I eat a salad with mackerel fillets an hour after my workout.
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