Evening work outs? A few questions :)

lindsayh87
lindsayh87 Posts: 167 Member
edited November 15 in Fitness and Exercise
So after a busy day I almost said screw it was gonna skip my work out but ended up going for it even though it was late. I've never been much of a morning person, I would definitely describe myself as a night owl. I had an amazing work out, felt great, had energy and pushed just as hard, if not harder than I would earlier in the day. I really liked it and am considering changing my schedule to do it in the evening, so now the questions...

Assuming my sleep is not affected by working out in the evening, is there anything wrong with doing it late in the day? Will it negatively effect my goals? I've got 10lbs left to loose - I'm trying to burn fat, and tone up but not bulk up!

Do I need to eat post work out if it's late? Typically I have a protein shake about 30 minutes after my work outs when I do them earlier. Then of course, go about eating my meals as usual. By evening, I've eaten most of my calories (though I did just earn a bunch!) but really don't have much desire to eat at this point, plus I'll be going to bed about an hour after the work out.

Thanks a ton! :)

Replies

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    You'll be fine. Nutrient timing is vastly overrated and unnecessary for most imo.
  • techgal128
    techgal128 Posts: 719 Member
    edited April 2015
    Hornsby wrote: »
    You'll be fine. Nutrient timing is vastly overrated and unnecessary for most imo.

    Yeah, this is right. The only reason you need to worry about eating food "too late" is if you have a problem with heartburn or GERD.
  • mandychowx
    mandychowx Posts: 179 Member
    When you work out does not matter; as long as you work out :) If working out in the evening is optimal for you, then do it :)

    Eating post work out is very important. There are many myths as to whether you should be allow to eat carbs after a certain time or eating a certain time before bed. THOSE ARE ALL MYTHS. Meal frequency and nutrient timing is irrelevant for improving body composition, just hit your daily macronutrient targets and calorie requirements for the day, however and whenever. Sometimes I eat until 11pm at night. Although I do recommend saving some carbs for post work out. You should have about 25% of your carbs post work out.

    Now, I don't recommend you eating ALL the calories you earn from working out. Because the point of working is out is to create a calorie deficit to lose weight. If you are hungry, increase your calories by 100-200 calories (if you burned 400 calories) but you shouldn't be eating them all.

  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    Most of my HIIT type workouts are done as late as 8PM and although I no longer need to lose weight, I have no problems with maintaining. I also eat something small with protein in it after my workout like an egg or a cup of Greek yogurt.
  • maasha81
    maasha81 Posts: 733 Member
    I've work out as late as 9pm when my son is in bed and never had an issue. I already wake up at 4.30am on a working day and refuse to wake up any earlier. I've been in maintenance mode for over a year with no issues. Typically I work out around 4.30 pm but at times it's at 8 pm.

    I do get the best night's sleep when I do work out. I'm never hungry after I work out strange enough
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I work out in the evening always as I don't do morning workouts on an empty stomach. Meal timing is not relevant as noted above. The only caveat to working out in the evening is it can cause you to not be tired....at bed time which can be a pain. So try to get it in 2hours pre bed time.
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