do you HAVE to eat after a workout...?

cheerchicksie
cheerchicksie Posts: 51 Member
edited January 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I ate a TON of carbs 1 hour beforehand. (2 slices of pizza and a honey pastry...yeah, not the healthiest.)

and my workout was kind of intense...but it was only 10 minute interval sprints, and I'm not hungry. at all.

so would I really have to eat afterwards? I hear that it's good for you to "replace glycogen" and all that, but if you carb-loaded before hand, do you really have to eat after?

Replies

  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    I would try to make sure I have the room available for my recover shake after my workout. My shake runs about 350 calories. I usually only have a smoothie and some chocolate before I work out... and now a scoop of protein. But the 30 minute window after a workout is great for nutrient absorption. I would utilize this if I were you.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    Glycogen is replenished most efficiently in the first hour after working out, so I would, yes.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Eventually
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    no. eat any time.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Make sure you eat enough in the day and you will be good. You will not have depleted your glycogen based on what you did in any event.
  • MrNoisy
    MrNoisy Posts: 69 Member
    You don't have to eat right after working out.
    The one hour replenishing window post workout thing is not true.
    You don't have to eat an hour before working out for energy.
    Your body won't eat your muscles if you don't eat right after working out.
    Your body won't eat your muscles if you exercise fasted.
    You don't need to eat 6 - 1000 small meals a day to keep your metabolism up.
    As long as you get in your required calories in a day, it doesn't matter at all when you consume them.

    Not sure if I missed any other misconceptions.
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    Eventually

    HA!

    *snort
  • IsleEsme
    IsleEsme Posts: 175 Member
    You don't have to eat right after working out.
    The one hour replenishing window post workout thing is not true.
    You don't have to eat an hour before working out for energy.
    Your body won't eat your muscles if you don't eat right after working out.
    Your body won't eat your muscles if you exercise fasted.
    You don't need to eat 6 - 1000 small meals a day to keep your metabolism up.
    As long as you get in your required calories in a day, it's doesn't matter at all when you consume them.

    Not sure if I missed any other misconceptions.

    Well said!
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    The only time one will completely deplete glycogen stores is a marathon runner who does not replenish amid the race. With your exercise, I would not concern myself about it and focus on calories needed total.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    The only time it's really critical to eat right after a run is if you are running twice a day. Otherwise, 24+ hours is plenty of time to replenish your energy levels, especially as you stoked up right before the running.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Eat when you're hungry. Unless you've run a marathon you haven't burnt off all your glycogen stores.
  • waskier
    waskier Posts: 254 Member
    Gotta be brutally honest on this one. If those are your choices before the workout do you really think it matters? Just sayin'.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    yes, you should have a recovery shake/snack within 30-60 min max of working out. your muscles are hungry and should be fed.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    yes, you should have a recovery shake/snack within 30-60 min max of working out. your muscles are hungry and should be fed.
    I think you've been outvoted.
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    As long as you get in your required calories in a day, it doesn't matter at all when you consume them.
    Well this isn't ENTIRELY true, while total macro-nutrient intake overshadows nutrient timing, that does not mean nutrient timing is irrelevant. That said you shouldn't concern yourself over nutrient timing until you have your total macro-nutrient intake down on a regular basis.

    To answer the OP's question: No you don't.
  • MrNoisy
    MrNoisy Posts: 69 Member
    As long as you get in your required calories in a day, it doesn't matter at all when you consume them.
    Well this isn't ENTIRELY true, while total macro-nutrient intake overshadows nutrient timing, that does not mean nutrient timing is irrelevant. That said you shouldn't concern yourself over nutrient timing until you have your total macro-nutrient intake down on a regular basis.

    I stated that for simplicity sake, yeah it isn't irrelevant. It's just the typical "must eat continuously" throughout the day mentality needs to end.

    Also I understand nutrient timing quite well, I've been doing I.F/Lean Gains for quite a while.
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    I stated that for simplicity sake, yeah it isn't irrelevant. It's just the typical "must eat continuously" throughout the day mentality needs to end.

    Also I understand nutrient timing quite well, I've been doing I.F/Lean Gains for quite a while.
    Great then we're on the same page!
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