What to eat before & after workout??

Cindy_38

I'm not sure what to eat before & after an aerobic workout. During my lunch hour, I go to the gym and join the one-hour aerobic classes. Afterwards, I come back and eat my lunch, which is usually a large salad. It's after that, I have these cravings for chocolate that are close to torturous....but on the days that I don't work out, I'm ok.

Should I be eating more carbs or protein? And if so, should it be before or after a workout?

RunnerFive

After, I have a protein shake. It's usually flavoured with sweet green tea, chocolate or vanilla. Try something like that with your salad! It would curb your sweet tooth and the protein will help your body recover and feel satisfied I never eat anything but water before a workout or I feel like I want to throw up :S

kcragg

For fat loss I would suggest a protein shake following your workout rather than carbs.:drinker:

aknight0907

PROTEIN!!! My husband has a protein shake before and after a workout. I bought Special K Protein cereal they just came out with, I add some dried blueberreis or strawberries for flavor and mmmm it's good; I eat a good size bowl right after I workout (just be careful w/ the fruit you add in / not too much). Protein will get your metabolism working and going strong for the day; especially right after you eat. All the books I've read say PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN!!!

Cindy_38

I went to the gym, did a cardio class & went to take a shower...well, I almost blacked out. It took everything in me to concentrate & not lose focus. I got out of the shower, sat on a bench for 10 minutes, while the room was spinning & fading in & out. I've never experienced anything like that before. All I could do was sit there and think, 'don't pass out, you only have a towel on and you'll look ridiculous lying on the floor...naked'. And Monday, I worked out and was ok until that night, my whole body, joints & muscles seemed to contract and I was in a lot of pain...and that finally went away yesterday. Crap like this has been happening more & more often and its getting frustrating and annoying.

Should I up my calories? Its at 1280...I think it have something to do with my diet and not eating enough of something...I don't know what though. Potassium? Protein? Carbs?

Just wondering if anyone else has gone through this...

albayin

I have read on webMD that after workout, a good mix of protein and carb is the best, such as 1% chocolate milk. Some people feel better with gatorate, too.

BAMFMeredith

For me, before I work out I eat a piece of lean chicken breast (usually about 1/4 of a breast) and a banana. I have to eat the banana like 45 minutes before working out, I can't work out on an empty stomach.

After, I love a good Muscle Milk light in chocolate. I feel like I'm getting a sweet treat, but I'm also getting all that good protein my body needs. I usually have to wait a bit after I work out to actually eat a meal, so the Muscle Milk is great for my recovery without being heavy on my stomach.

ETA: If I know I've got an intense work out planned that day, I have to eat at least around 1400 calories to feel fueled enough. I eat a very high protein/low carb diet as well.

rides4sanity

I went to the gym, did a cardio class & went to take a shower...well, I almost blacked out. It took everything in me to concentrate & not lose focus. I got out of the shower, sat on a bench for 10 minutes, while the room was spinning & fading in & out. I've never experienced anything like that before. All I could do was sit there and think, 'don't pass out, you only have a towel on and you'll look ridiculous lying on the floor...naked'. And Monday, I worked out and was ok until that night, my whole body, joints & muscles seemed to contract and I was in a lot of pain...and that finally went away yesterday. Crap like this has been happening more & more often and its getting frustrating and annoying.

Should I up my calories? Its at 1280...I think it have something to do with my diet and not eating enough of something...I don't know what though. Potassium? Protein? Carbs?

Just wondering if anyone else has gone through this...

I used to have this problem and here is my current plan. If I am working out and haven't eaten a descent carb/protien kind of meal with in about 3 hours, I have a bar or shake ~ 30 minutes before I workout then I still eat lunch or dinner after just usually not as much because I'm not famished. If I have eaten say 2 hours before, I just do protien (usually a shake) after for recovery.

The problem I most frequently face is working out late and not properly fueling throughout the day. If I plan to workout and burn 600-1000 calories in the evening, there is no way I can make that up if i don't plan/prepare for it. What if i prepare and then miss the workout? Well, I just try really hard not to miss it, and I plan a post-workout shake which I can drop if I need fewer calories.

Hope this helps, oh also the dizziness can be dehydration so drink up.

Lennox497

I have read on webMD that after workout, a good mix of protein and carb is the best, such as 1% chocolate milk. Some people feel better with gatorate, too.

I have to agree with this post. I believe that both are needed. I have done both the post workout protein shakes in the past and mixed in fruits for the carbs. It did help me trim up a little bit,

Currently I take a double scoop of protein 45 mins prior to my workout. Just tryin to catch the protein synthesis immediately after my workout.

Sublog

In short, don't worry about pre or post workout nutrition unless the workout is endurance exercises. Meal timing is largely irrelevant. Instead worry about hitting your daily calorie and nutrient goals (both macro and micro).