WHEN to eat back Workout Calories

bethb4
bethb4 Posts: 48
in Health and Weight Loss
This may seem like a REALLY stupid question but I got to thinking... I am going to start taking a bootcamp class at 8:30pm twice a week. So is it okay to eat more calories earlier in the day knowing i'll be burning a bunch later? Or is it ideal to eat them AFTER the workout? I'm hoping it doesn't matter because afterwards it will be close to 10pm and close to bedtime. Eating right before bed is not beneficial. Thoughts?

Replies

  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I'd say before so you have some fuel for your workout. Or some before and some after. ie.. light dinner and then a protein shake after
  • bethb4
    bethb4 Posts: 48
    I'd say before so you have some fuel for your workout. Or some before and some after. ie.. light dinner and then a protein shake after

    Good thoughts... Thing is last week I ate dinner at 6pm- two and a half hours BEFORE the class and the class was so intense I tought i was going to vomit my dinner. This time, I want to try just having a small protein bar an hour before.... and maybe a bigger lunch earlier in the day than i normally would have?
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    That might work also. Whatever works for you
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    If you know for sure you're going to make it to class, eat a little extra at each meal/snack during the day to fuel the workout. Then leave a few calories for a recovery snack after.
  • eriemer
    eriemer Posts: 197
    Often times I do not eat my workout cals back because same as you I work out late in the day. So when I'm done sleep takes dibs over food. The only time I eat some of my calories back is if I work out earlier and am hungry. I slip up about once a wk and go way over calories anyways. It's best to do what's best for you. If you feel like that little snack after a late workout helps you to bed then by all means eat it.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    I would base this entirely off of personal preference and gym performance. Beyond that it's not going to really make much of any difference.
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    Trainers are saying it is best to workout before you eat and first thing in the morning.

    Unfortunatley that doesn't work for everyone so the best alternative is to not eat 4 hours before you workout.

    I workout in the evening so it is 4 hours after lunch then I exercise, have dinner and sometimes I do cardio late at night.

    Just find what works for you!!!

    Best of luck!!
  • gemmaldavies
    gemmaldavies Posts: 379
    definately b4, but not too soon b4 coz u dnt want to be sick. good helthy carbs + protein (sweet potato, chicken) good luck ;o)
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    I would base this entirely off of personal preference and gym performance. Beyond that it's not going to really make much of any difference.

    Yes. Try eating at different times and see how you feel.

    I eat about an hour before my (evening) class because it doesn't seem to trouble my stomach at all and I have more energy for class. This means I pre-eat my exercise calories. If class is cancelled, I go work out on my own so I still burn the calories.
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    The way I have done it, is to go over by 500 calories throughout the day and go work out at the gym and burn 500 calories...
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I would base this entirely off of personal preference and gym performance. Beyond that it's not going to really make much of any difference.

    quoted for emphasis

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