Carbs - before or after exercise, does it matter..?

david081
david081 Posts: 489 Member
edited September 24 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

I am doing a lot of exercise as part of my fitness regime, mostly cardio, and some weights. Does anyone know which is the most efficient way to use carbs? Is it better to pack some in an hour or so before, or does it make any difference if I have carbs afterwards in terms of weight-loss...

Regards, David

Replies

  • lildazey
    lildazey Posts: 86 Member
    I'm no expert, but I've always heard to take in carbs earlier in the day. Better to eat carbs before a work out, since they give you a lot of energy!
  • skinnylizzard
    skinnylizzard Posts: 460 Member
    From what I've heard, you should have some within 20 after weight traing, not sure about before but personally I like a little protien an hour prior.
  • stevemcknight
    stevemcknight Posts: 647 Member
    neither :)
  • sdestefan0
    sdestefan0 Posts: 2
    A bit before, definitely mixed in with some protein to prolong the effects (and you should have a hearty, full grain carb, nothing white). Then very soon after your workout, you should push your protein intake, but a little bit of carbs (an apple or banana) helps to speed the protein to repair your muscles quicker!
    Hope that helps! This is the sort of stuff my trainer has been telling me, anyhow!
  • tonykozak
    tonykozak Posts: 14
    depending on the intensity and/or duration of exercise makes a difference. your body burns glycogen stored in the muscles for fuel. you should always take in some complex carbs to help replace the glycogen stores for the next time. depending on effort and/or duration the best time to do it is within an 1 hour to 1.5 hours after effort. that is when the muscle is most receptive. i do this myself after running. you will have to experiment and find what works for you , as everyone is different. hope this helps.
  • skinnylizzard
    skinnylizzard Posts: 460 Member
    depending on the intensity and/or duration of exercise makes a difference. your body burns glycogen stored in the muscles for fuel. you should always take in some complex carbs to help replace the glycogen stores for the next time. depending on effort and/or duration the best time to do it is within an 1 hour to 1.5 hours after effort. that is when the muscle is most receptive. i do this myself after running. you will have to experiment and find what works for you , as everyone is different. hope this helps.
    That sounds right!
  • crystal_sapphire
    crystal_sapphire Posts: 1,205 Member
    before so it gives you energy

    protein for after
  • Goal_Seeker_1988
    Goal_Seeker_1988 Posts: 1,619 Member
    As Tony Horton would recommend make sure you are gettin enough carbs before your workout so you don't burn out. It'll give you the energy that you need to push thru your workout. I always eat oatmeal for breakfast then hit the gym. It always helps me to push thru my workout. Then I fill up on my proteins and stay away from carbs for the rest of the day, well at least I try to.
  • david081
    david081 Posts: 489 Member
    neither :)

    I have tried a low-carb cycling diet (3-days very low, 4th day loads) but found that I was getting far more tired when exercising. I fail to see how a person can sustain 1000 cal a day exercise with minimal or no carbs - didn't work for me anyway... I plan to go for quality carbs in smallish quantities throughout the day, and see how it goes. If I continue a steady weight loss, fine. If it stops or reverses, then I'll ditch it and try something else...

    rgds, David
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