Do you eat right after working out?

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Replies

  • cindy4mica
    cindy4mica Posts: 777 Member
    ok, i'm new (and i mean, *really* new) to this whole working out thing (if you want to call using the treadmill "working out"), so i can use any advice i can get. i thought eating defies the purpose of working out, but i'm reading that you *should* eat afterwards. can someone tell me why - what the logistics are? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks! :flowerforyou:
  • Sarahdangerfox
    Sarahdangerfox Posts: 38
    ok, i'm new (and i mean, *really* new) to this whole working out thing (if you want to call using the treadmill "working out"), so i can use any advice i can get. i thought eating defies the purpose of working out, but i'm reading that you *should* eat afterwards. can someone tell me why - what the logistics are? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks! :flowerforyou:

    Well...a girl's gotta eat! If you exercise, you need to fuel your body, and you're going to have to eat anyway. The purpose of working out is more than just working off food...it's also to get your body moving, to tone muscles, to stretch, to burn calories, to condition yourself to be able to do more, etc. If you exercise and don't eat, and your body is not properly fueled, you could get into some trouble with blood sugar and actually put your body into starvation mode which won't help with weight loss.

    It's all a balance- you have to make sure you eat the right things to fuel your body to be able to exercise and so forth. Cindy- if you have access to a trainer and nutritionist, you should really talk to them about getting on a program that's right for you. Otherwise, just ask your doctor :)
  • cindy4mica
    cindy4mica Posts: 777 Member
    ok, i'm new (and i mean, *really* new) to this whole working out thing (if you want to call using the treadmill "working out"), so i can use any advice i can get. i thought eating defies the purpose of working out, but i'm reading that you *should* eat afterwards. can someone tell me why - what the logistics are? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks! :flowerforyou:

    Well...a girl's gotta eat! If you exercise, you need to fuel your body, and you're going to have to eat anyway. The purpose of working out is more than just working off food...it's also to get your body moving, to tone muscles, to stretch, to burn calories, to condition yourself to be able to do more, etc. If you exercise and don't eat, and your body is not properly fueled, you could get into some trouble with blood sugar and actually put your body into starvation mode which won't help with weight loss.

    It's all a balance- you have to make sure you eat the right things to fuel your body to be able to exercise and so forth. Cindy- if you have access to a trainer and nutritionist, you should really talk to them about getting on a program that's right for you. Otherwise, just ask your doctor :)

    thank you - i suppose that's just common sense that i don't have. lol
  • sprevite
    sprevite Posts: 3 Member
    try and grab one of the special k protein shakes, theyre delicious and really fill you up!:wink:
  • LeanaJo
    LeanaJo Posts: 85
    I eat right after I take a shower, after my workout. Within the hour after the workout, yes.
  • GaveUp
    GaveUp Posts: 308
    Yes you should eat right after your workout. Boil a bunch of eggs keep them in the fridge and you can just grab one to get some protein in.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    You should be eating a good amount of protein within an hour and a half of when you worked out. Also, I heard that your body is super receptive to everything you put into it after you work out so since I heard that, I've been trying to eat really well especially after I work out. To answer your question, though, yes. I usually eat a protein bar on my way home from the gym, shower, then make myself lunch.
  • katt742
    katt742 Posts: 196 Member
    looks like i'll have to look into protein shakes! what kind do you guys drink.recommend?

    also, so after drinking the shake...you still have a proper breakfast afterwards, later on?

    There are so many protein shakes out there...I personally use GNC AMP. But I only drink that after my strength training workouts. After cardio and light circuit workout I make my own low cal protein shake: Milk, 1 frozen banana, 1 tablespoon (or more) of unsweetened cocoa powder. I blend it up in my Magic Bullet!! Or you can just drink a glass of chocolate milk!! Its been proven to help in the recovery process!

    And yes, definately eat regularly throughout the day. I work out after work at 5:30 PM. I workout typically for an hour and drink my shake right after. So around 6:30-6:45. Then I eat dinner at 7:30-8:00!
  • katt742
    katt742 Posts: 196 Member
    ok, i'm new (and i mean, *really* new) to this whole working out thing (if you want to call using the treadmill "working out"), so i can use any advice i can get. i thought eating defies the purpose of working out, but i'm reading that you *should* eat afterwards. can someone tell me why - what the logistics are? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks! :flowerforyou:

    Well...a girl's gotta eat! If you exercise, you need to fuel your body, and you're going to have to eat anyway. The purpose of working out is more than just working off food...it's also to get your body moving, to tone muscles, to stretch, to burn calories, to condition yourself to be able to do more, etc. If you exercise and don't eat, and your body is not properly fueled, you could get into some trouble with blood sugar and actually put your body into starvation mode which won't help with weight loss.

    It's all a balance- you have to make sure you eat the right things to fuel your body to be able to exercise and so forth. Cindy- if you have access to a trainer and nutritionist, you should really talk to them about getting on a program that's right for you. Otherwise, just ask your doctor :)

    thank you - i suppose that's just common sense that i don't have. lol


    when you workout your muscles essentially tear.. You are breaking down and tearing the muscles. The muscles need fuel to help repair them. That's how we get toned and bigger muscles. The right foods though!! You cant run on the treadmill and then eat a piece of cake lol. Muscles need protein to rebuild, hence the reason for protein shakes and bars and such!
  • Mkleder
    Mkleder Posts: 289
    I come in from the gym and immediately mix up a glass of almond milk and vanilla flavored whey powder to take upstairs with me to drink while I'm getting showered and dressed.
  • tusher2011
    tusher2011 Posts: 201 Member
    thanks everyone. i just went and bought the pure protein (frosty chocolate). hope i like it!
  • Cletc
    Cletc Posts: 352
    I have heard that you should eat w/in an hour of working out.

    I heard it was "within 30 minutes"

    But yes, I eat -- take in 100 calories. Often 1 cup of Whole Raw Milk
    I bring it in the car with me - toss a couple of ice cubes in the glass so it is Still Cool 90 minutes later.

    So it's ready before I even begin to exercise :laugh:
  • Cletc
    Cletc Posts: 352
    I'm curious...

    how many calories do you all Intake after exercising?
  • cindy4mica
    cindy4mica Posts: 777 Member
    ok, i'm new (and i mean, *really* new) to this whole working out thing (if you want to call using the treadmill "working out"), so i can use any advice i can get. i thought eating defies the purpose of working out, but i'm reading that you *should* eat afterwards. can someone tell me why - what the logistics are? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks! :flowerforyou:

    Well...a girl's gotta eat! If you exercise, you need to fuel your body, and you're going to have to eat anyway. The purpose of working out is more than just working off food...it's also to get your body moving, to tone muscles, to stretch, to burn calories, to condition yourself to be able to do more, etc. If you exercise and don't eat, and your body is not properly fueled, you could get into some trouble with blood sugar and actually put your body into starvation mode which won't help with weight loss.

    It's all a balance- you have to make sure you eat the right things to fuel your body to be able to exercise and so forth. Cindy- if you have access to a trainer and nutritionist, you should really talk to them about getting on a program that's right for you. Otherwise, just ask your doctor :)

    thank you - i suppose that's just common sense that i don't have. lol


    when you workout your muscles essentially tear.. You are breaking down and tearing the muscles. The muscles need fuel to help repair them. That's how we get toned and bigger muscles. The right foods though!! You cant run on the treadmill and then eat a piece of cake lol. Muscles need protein to rebuild, hence the reason for protein shakes and bars and such!

    thank you so much for the explanation:)
  • jmlabuda
    jmlabuda Posts: 4
    I recommend taking a protein shaker with you to the gym. Throw in some ice, a scoop or two depending on your protein needs of whey protein (fastest digesting protein) and I use orange gatorade which is high in sugar and carbs to spike your insulin level. Your 1 hour window of opportunity for replenishing your muscles is vital to get a fast digesting protein source. If you eat food instead you will lose this opportunity due to the body having to digest these nutrients and thus you will miss 1 hour window. Always go with a protein shake, and then an hour or so after your protein shake then take in your meal. Hope this helps.
  • greatginew
    greatginew Posts: 39
    After reading all these posts I think I've been doing it all wrong :(
    A typical day for me:
    4am - Cardio or Stretch - I drink 1/2-1 bottle of water during
    7am - 4egg whites 1 yolk, 1c broc, 1/2 slice "good" bread
    10am - 2tbs Smart Bal PB & 13 Fiber Select crackers
    12 pm-1pm- Cardio - Jog on beach or walk w/weights
    1:30 - Salad w/canned chicken craisins, croutons, feta & 1tbs ranch
    3:30 - Kashi Go Lean Protein & Fiber bar
    5:00 - Sensible High protein green veggies dinner
    6:00-7:30 - Work out w/weights
    Then shower wind down & bed by 9 - 9:30pm

    Any advise on how to tweek this is much appreciated!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,022 Member
    Hell yeah! I'm starving after a workout! Best time to eat!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,022 Member

    Why "must" you eat after working out? I've never eaten after working out because exercise takes away my appetite. I drink plenty of water after a workout, then eat later when I start to feel hungry, which is usually more than an hour.
    You don't HAVE to eat after a workout. Science just shows the "window of opportunity" is better during this time for the absorption of macro nutrients.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,022 Member
    I'm curious...

    how many calories do you all Intake after exercising?
    Shake 200, then I eat, 460.
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