Scared to Eat After Workouts

eating a ratio to 2:1 carbs/protein is VERY important after a workout. This helps you body recover more quickly, and restor glycogen back into your muscles. It wont defeat the purpose, it will only improve you! Try for some oatmeal after a workout or some multigrain cracker and tuna :] no need for a huge amount of protein or a supplement unless you want to

By not eating protein after your work out, your body is going to eat the only protein in its system WHICH IS YOUR MUSCLE!!!!!!


so basically your work out was a waste of time. Feed your body good protein.

oh and read the link in my signature, She basically explains that even tho you are working out, you will lose wieght but in the end you will be fatter, than you are now (fat percentage wise) from not eating atleast some of your burned calories because you body will feast on your muscle. You don't really wanna lose your muscle over your fat do you?

And also, It is a good idea to eat after 7 pm. That is a complete myth to not eat at night. You still burn calories while you sleep and could use some protein before bed. Try some cottage cheese! Casien protein so it is slower to be absorbed, slowing muscle break down

Actually you do need protein after a workout. That's how you keep your body from burning muscle mass instead of fat. And your metabolism is up after working out. Your body is burning more calories at this time. Protein after a workout is good for muscle recovery.

Plus your caloric intake can end up way too low (which can happen when working out - diet and cardio cause muscle mass loss) which is detrimental for weight loss and not healthy at all.

And it is ok to eat at night. The body burns calories 24/7. I work out in the evening so I try and have a good dinner and then about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before bed I have a cup of milk with my protein powder. I have heard that a high protein snack before bed turns on the HGH (this hormone burns through fat while we sleep). I have heard cottage cheese is a great bedtime snack. (Don't get the fat free. Entirely too salty!)

It took me a while to figure this out but say you have a calorie max of 1500. That is the amount of calories you're supposed to eat in order to have your body functioning well and still be healthy etc. If you work out and burn 650 calories, that 650 short of what is supposed to be in your body. Now, not saying you should hit up McD's after your work out but you should at least eat something to replenish what was burned off.

That's how I see and understand it.
Search and add KarenBorter-awesome information on all this stuff and willing to answer questions as well.

It depends on what kind of workout you're doing. If it's just a cardio workout, it's advised not to eat anything for about an hour afterward. If you're doing strength training, or even a strength and cardio combo, it's best to eat something with a combination of protein and carbs within an hour afterward to help your muscles recover and grow. Something like a glass of milk or a protein shake and a banana are great for after a workout, and don't pack a lot of calories, although you do have to be careful with your protein supplement. Some come premixed with carbs and fat and are more of a meal replacement.

I always eat after a workout - immediately after, I guzzle down a protein shake... VERY important for re-building muscle and I guzzle this down anytime from 7-8:30pm. Definately a myth about not eating at night, you just have to make so nutritious choices really! PS - if you think you'll gain weight, you can check my profile, I have been doing this since June and haven't gained, I've continued to lose...

If you don’t have a protein snack after then your body will start to cannibalize its self and you will loose muscle... Losing muscle mean slow metabolism witch leads to no weight loss and a slew of health problems. At least have a glass of low fat milk after a workout. But you do need protein at least 30 min after a workout.

Here is some good information from Dr. Mercola's website, www.drmercola.com :

Aerobic/Cardio – After engaging in a fat loss-centered cardiovascular workout, take a break for about 45-60 minutes before eating a whole food, high-quality source of protein and vegetable-type carbohydrate. An example would be chicken and spinach salad. You don’t need to wait an hour after the session because you’ll want to ride the fat-burning wave and avoid starvation mode.

Resistance – A post muscle-building resistance workout meal needs to be absorbed rapidly because you only have a one-hour window to open the gates for amino acids, glycogen and other anabolic nutrients to enter and help repair your muscles. You’ll want to eat this meal 15-30 minutes after an intense weight training session. Failure to do so may diminish the chances of allowing your muscles to recover properly to make them bigger and stronger. Darin’s recommended meal is whey protein and a higher glycemic, fast released, starchy carbohydrate such as a banana.

By not eating protein after your work out, your body is going to eat the only protein in its system WHICH IS YOUR MUSCLE!!!!!!

This.

Have a simple sugar before you start -- a handful of grapes, some apple slices... something to give you energy to burn during your workout. After that, you really should have protein to give your body something to burn.

Don't feel down on yourself about feeling this way -- it's normal to have anxiety around something you're working this hard on!
BUT, it's important to think about WHY you're doing this -- it isn't the number on the scale, or even the number on the tag in the dress -- its to be HEALTHY, and learn how to live a healthy life style. That includes supporting your body to exercise regularly.

Don't beat yourself up over the anxiety you have, but try to talk yourself out of it -- say, "I'm eating after my work out to support my healthy body, and healthy lifestyle." Focus on complimenting yourself for making a healthy choice when you get home -- saying "this protein will help heal my muscles," and make eating a positive as possible.

You can do it!!