Newbie Needs Some Help

misslexii

Hi Guys -

Only just joined My Fitness Pal and I am loving it!

I do have a few questions, however, Google and searching the message boards has only left me more confused.

When I first started getting serious about dropping weight, I was losing around 2kg a week with calorie counting and only minimal exercise.
I have now stepped up the exercise [now doing min an hour a day - 6 days a week] and still on the same calorie consumption and I have slowed right down, to the point of only losing .1kg in the past 3 days, now I know this could partly be muscle.

But -

I have also changed my eating habits around my exercise.
I do thirty minute brisk walk or jog in the morning - come home, have breakfast
Then in the evenings I do another 30 - 60 minute brisk walk or jog, and most days follow this up with 30 - 60 mins of Wii Fit Boxing, followed by dinner.

I am currently on 1200 calories a day - and I am spot on for Carbs/Fat/Protein breakdown - I follow the King/Prince/Pauper rule for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner. Any after exercise meal I have is usually Protein based - such as egg white omelette w/ spinach/mushrooms

My question is, by eating AFTER, instead of BEFORE, am I actually doing more harm in my weightloss?
I'm not worried about muscle development beyond aiding in weightloss and general toning - not bulking
All the forums/searches seem to be saying to eat AFTER, and have a high Carb/Protein meal, but they also seem to be aimed at those wanting to build muscle/bulk up.
Eating carbs after a workout doesn't seem right to me, nor does the protein since I am not doing any extreme training

How did you work your meals around you exercise?
Because I would much rather eat a small meal 30 mins or so BEFORE rather than after.

melaniecheeks

For serious workouts, either cardio or strength training, you need both to fuel your body beforehand, and treat it right afterwards.

Some good carbs beforehand to give you the energy you need (toast and peanut butter, or fruit is ideal)

Afterwards - well, if you've been working on muscles then you'll need a combination of protein and good carbs to repair them. This is NOT just for body builders looking to bulk up (and if you're a woman, you would find it nearly impossible to become bulky) it's about ensuring your muscles develop and grow and repair properly.