I am looking to maximize energy for workouts.

Tony_Brewski

What are some good foods I can add into my diet to increase my energy levels to help push more at the gym run more etc to help increase my fat burn. I am down to the final 15-20 pounds to go and it's getting more and more stubborn. I have cut my pre-workout endurance mixes more and more and would really like to go without them all together as there's really no health value to them outside energy so empty calories really.

HypersonicFitNess

Sorry, I known everyone is rough on "carbs" but ....if you are really "pushing it" in the workouts (taking your heart rate up higher than 65%) you are using your carb/glucose stores and for that...you need carb/glucose.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/25/foods-before-working-out_n_1624647.html

http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness_top_ten/24_fitness_list.html

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-fitness/2011/10/13/best-workout-foods-what-to-eat-before-a-workout

http://running.competitor.com/2010/09/features/the-10-best-carbohydrate-sources-for-runners_12953

http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/eat-carbs-before-and-during-your-workout

http://getfitguy.quickanddirtytips.com/should-you-eat-carbohydrates-before-exercise.aspx

aelunyu

She's right, but lets imagine she wasn't. Some people close to their goals start using a stimulant like caffeine to give them a boost.

Your carb intake should drop, but should not be nonexistent.

I'm not sure what you're doing in the gym, but generally, the more you diet, the weaker and less enduring you will become. That is just a fact of life. Don't expect yourself to perform optimally like you did when you were 20 lb heavier, as you're body is running hand to mouth. To lose more weight, it's just a matter of adding time to cardio sessions. Adding poundage to weightlifting sessions is probably not going to happen, though.

Firefox7275

What are some good foods I can add into my diet to increase my energy levels to help push more at the gym run more etc to help increase my fat burn. I am down to the final 15-20 pounds to go and it's getting more and more stubborn. I have cut my pre-workout endurance mixes more and more and would really like to go without them all together as there's really no health value to them outside energy so empty calories really.

Are you not logging properly or are you living on starvation rations some days and undereating others? Why have you changed the MFP macro settings then ignored your new goals? For energy and fat loss eat the right amount of calories to maintain a steady weight loss of half to one pound a week, a balance of ALL the food groups and ALL the nutrients your body needs for health. I don't see much dairy, oily fish, enough fruit and veggies, not enough variety or the full rainbow of colours, enough fibre and mineral rich foods.

Tony_Brewski

What are some good foods I can add into my diet to increase my energy levels to help push more at the gym run more etc to help increase my fat burn. I am down to the final 15-20 pounds to go and it's getting more and more stubborn. I have cut my pre-workout endurance mixes more and more and would really like to go without them all together as there's really no health value to them outside energy so empty calories really.

Are you not logging properly or are you living on starvation rations some days and undereating others? Why have you changed the MFP macro settings then ignored your new goals? For energy and fat loss eat the right amount of calories to maintain a steady weight loss of half to one pound a week, a balance of ALL the food groups and ALL the nutrients your body needs for health. I don't see much dairy, oily fish, enough fruit and veggies, not enough variety or the full rainbow of colours, enough fibre and mineral rich foods.

I've made adjustments trying to fine tune what works best for me as far as hitting the macros that's where I am have a big struggle with as far as adjusting my calorie count I increased according to some but when I eat that much I feel over stuffed if I adjust too low then I feel starved. I've found for myself keeping around the 1700-1900 mark works best for me without getting that over stuffed or under fed feeling. I log as best as I can depending on my day (daily life you know what it can be like) some days I can log fully others life just gets in the way with kids in school, job, etc etc. I am trying to stick to a 40/40/20 diet as best I can... carbs and fat are easy to eat. I am struggling to hit that protein marker daily it seems and that is one thing I really feel as my workout routine is very intense on the weight lifting.