Protein after lifting?

The trainers at my gym say the protein goes right to your muscles to give them fuel so they will repair themselves quicker.

But I haven't switched my protein shake consuming time.

I find higher protein in the morning = a better day with less hunger for me.

I don't think it really matters when you eat it, though I remember reading some articles that talked about the thing your body wants before and after a workout is protein and carbs [and water, of course] so I'll try to time mine so that I'm eating as soon as I'm hungry after a workout, but I don't freak out about it or try shakes or that kind of stuff.

One argument I've read is that after a workout that raised your heartrate, your metabolism is still chugging along after so if you eat something it will be burned/used right away versus stored for later. That's why carbs are okay after a workout, they just get burned in your already warm engine. Protein also gets burned and if you're eating a deficit it could mean you're less likely to lose muscle. Again, I say COULD because I don't have any research to back my claim up, nor can I remember any articles right now.

I say just eat your gram per pound [or more] and focus on eating when you're hungry. Also avoid those expensive shakes and focus on real food. That's just my preference though, I always disliked the idea of eating a meal through a straw [Time for lunch...in a cup! :P] so shakes and smoothies just aren't for me. Though milkshakes are pretty great...mmmmmmmmm....

Timing is irrelevant. 24 hours, get your calories and macros in.

I had Coco Pebbles after I lifted today.

And you didn't share? :sad:

I have no science to give you.

BUT, I've been eating a protein bar after lifting/intense workouts within 30 mins of finishing for a while now. I find it does help with easing soreness. Plus, I get some extra protein in my day. Bottom line is... it doesn't hurt.

I also find that it helps with muscle soreness for both lifting and running when I have a shake after. Who knows could just be broscience tho!!!

Anabolic window, brah!

I'm not sure if timing matters, but I've always crashed if I didn't have protein after a workout. If I don't get protein, I get extremely sleepy after heavy lifting. I enjoy my protein shakes after my workouts. I think of it as kind of a reward for kicking butt.

Edited: I didn't read OP's post clearly. Removed a bit of unnecessary information.

timing is not irrelevant. some beginners on this site take a small amount of science and distort it to the extreme. there are dozens of studies showing increased protein synthesis post workout.

THIS

you should eat either before or after a workout,

you just broke down the muscle
you need food to repair that muscle

anabolic>catabolic

I don't particularly think it matters either but I tend to do it after I lift (when I get home from the gym) because that's the easiest time for me. I just got home, I'm thirsty, whip up a Bev International shake.

timing is not irrelevant. some beginners on this site take a small amount of science and distort it to the extreme. there are dozens of studies showing increased protein synthesis post workout.

Citation needed.

Google. mmmmk.

agreed, this ones been done to death on here.

Probably the best statement is that there is about as much evidence supporting post exercise nutrition as there are refuting it. But that could probably be said for a lot of things that are taken as fact in the fitness world or even science in general.

Its actually the carbs that your body needs, the protein helps the cells absorbs the carbs.

Its obvious that exercise depelets muscle glycogen, the question is does it really do you any good to get it immediately after exercise.

Anything i've actually read as research is more like anecdotal. They compare performance drop offs between workouts between a group having post exercise nutrtion and one not.

if i saw an atricle that actually supported or refuted it on a biochemical level that would be much better, but i probably wouldn't understand it.

Best thing to do IMO is to eat after and just make sure it fits into your calorie profile for the day. I'll almost always drink my homemade post exercise drink thats basically dextrose, maltodextrin and a whey isolate. but if i haven't been eating well that day i'll skip it.

protein builds muscle, muscle burns fat...so yes protein = important