starting weights and HUNGER

kehowe83

OK, so I am getting back into the gym very slowly... I am starting to add light weights to my routine then following up with 1/2 hour of cardio.
I don't feel like I am super pushing with the weights when I am doing it, just to the point where I start to struggle at the end of each rep.

But later that day, and the next day I am WIPED OUT! AND HUNGRY!

I find it hard to believe that I am building enough muscle and doing as much of a workout as to warrent such reactions at the gym... I mean, I am doing really light weights (I am really weak), but enough reps to feel it...

Any suggestions on keeping up energy levels for the next day after a workout?

hroush

Are you eating your exercise calories? Are you doing any sort of program for your weights?

bmontgomery87

It's gonna happen at first. You're gonna get hungry, it'll adjust later most likely.
I normally don't feel like I can eat after the gym now, thats why I drink shakes.

As far as energy the next day, just make sure you're eating enough protein to recover.
Get plenty of sleep. You're always gonna be a little beat the next morning, but if you're eating enough to recover, it'll help.

Syntax_Error

I've found that drinking protein shakes close after weight training helps with that as well as with muscle soreness. They don't have a significant amount of calories either.

Geminieve24

What would you meal be before you go and workout? Also as someone else said on here, have a protein shake after your workout. This helps with recovery and low in calories and carbs. You can pick up some protein powder at a health food store. Add some water to it (I do low carb soy milk and half water) and that will totally help!
Alicia

seansquared

Just a point to note but if you're eating under maintenance it's very unlikely you're building muscle. Muscle gain requires calories, flat out.

Others have said this, but make sure you eat within 90 minutes of exercise, preferably high protein with some (10-20g) clean carbs which tell your body to send the protein off to your now damaged muscles and some (10-20g) clean fats which tells your body to not trigger triglyceride creation which would instead tell your body to send the protein to storage.

If I'm confusing you, I apologize, just mix 1C water, 30g protein, 2tbsp natural peanut butter, and drink. Or skip the PB and eat 2oz cheddar. I had my girlfriend add these immediately after her workouts and she went from feeling dead tired to feeling fine.

jbug100

Protein Rest Ibuprofen

bmontgomery87

don't overdo it on the ibuprofen. It's really unneccessary to put drugs into your body for recovery.
you can use supps and achieve the same results. Creatine does wonders.


Pre-workout nutrition: I'd go with some carbs/protein. I usually have oats, with protein powder, and some peanut butter. Or a couple of bananas.