Burning muscle if exercising at night?

Bigkmc78
Bigkmc78 Posts: 21 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I have started coming home from work, eating dinner before 6 then heading off to the gym at 8 for an hours workout. Home, shower then bed. I am finding it harder to sleep but I'm willing to keep trying this. Problem is that my step-son thinks I should be replenishing my protein levels when I get home and warns I am probably burning muscle rather than fat due to not eating after the cardio / strength session. Does anyone know if this is a factual warning?!

Replies

  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    I have started coming home from work, eating dinner before 6 then heading off to the gym at 8 for an hours workout. Home, shower then bed. I am finding it harder to sleep but I'm willing to keep trying this. Problem is that my step-son thinks I should be replenishing my protein levels when I get home and warns I am probably burning muscle rather than fat due to not eating after the cardio / strength session. Does anyone know if this is a factual warning?!
    He is wrong. I workout an hour before bed and my muscles have not "burned" off.
  • Bigkmc78
    Bigkmc78 Posts: 21 Member
    lol - thanks for that confirmation :)
  • Larry0445
    Larry0445 Posts: 204 Member
    Just take a little down time,before heading to bed. You may see that it helps,a bit. Unwind :)
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    Unless your very survival depends on it, burning muscle is your body's last option.
  • DoingitWell
    DoingitWell Posts: 560 Member
    Unless your very survival depends on it, burning muscle is your body's last option.



    THIS^^^^
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    Protein lasts quite a long time in the body so it's not like by the time you finish your workout you're all out of it or anything.

    Ideally you'd want to eat afterwards, carbs and protein (there are studies that show that carbs aren't strictly necessary and don't actually increase protein uptake) but it doesn't make so much of a difference in reality.

    If you'd not eaten since lunch and were then skipping evening meal that would be a different matter.
  • lisa28115
    lisa28115 Posts: 17,271 Member
    Just take a little down time,before heading to bed. You may see that it helps,a bit. Unwind :)

    i agree... to help you sleep
    you need your rest to help muscles repair:bigsmile:
  • Bigkmc78
    Bigkmc78 Posts: 21 Member
    Thanks everyone - very helpful!
  • hypersensitiveb
    hypersensitiveb Posts: 342 Member
    Grab some thing small like a yogurt after and you will be fine :)
  • Keladry
    Keladry Posts: 58 Member
    Good to know as I was wondering this too, sometimes I'm too tired when I get home to do anything so I have to rest and eat first and then exercise.
  • gerard54
    gerard54 Posts: 1,107 Member
    are you taking supplements?
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