Need some advice

hanzyfizzle
hanzyfizzle Posts: 6 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi Friends :)

Do many of you drink pre workout or sports drinks? I usually just eat before and after a workout but I'm considering changing to drinks.

Can anyone recommend any good flavours and brands for pre and post workout?

Also, can anyone explain to me roughly how long before a workout I need to consume something? Is it true that if I don't eat before a workout I will burn muscle instead of fat?

Thanks for your input.

Replies

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Nope. I workout fasted first thing in the morning.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    HIs it true that if I don't eat before a workout I will burn muscle instead of fat?

    In extreme cases, but not in every day life.

    A lot of the time I get up in the morning, shower, throw clothes on, and then bike or ski. I can go about three hours without food. I've been doing this for years, so, in theory, I would have run out of muscle a long time ago.

    If it's an especially hard workout, you sweat a lot, then drink some kind of electrolyte afterwards. If you got your heart rate up, for a while, it might benefit you to eat or drink some carbs within a couple hours of finishing. And make sure you meet your protein goal, but do that at your convenience.
  • Misspinklift
    Misspinklift Posts: 384 Member
    Intake a energy booster like c4. I can't workout on a full stomach. I feel sick.
  • Jules_farmgirl
    Jules_farmgirl Posts: 225 Member
    I workout within 10mins of waking up to my alarm. I don't eat till close to 2.5hrs later due to my schedule. On the weekends I like to have a protein shake after my workout, but I still wait an hour or so otherwise I tend to feel over full and sick
  • I've heard that you shouldn't exercise with food in your stomach, but I could be misinformed. I've always done it before eating and then I wait 30 minutes after my work out to eat anything
  • DarrelBirkett
    DarrelBirkett Posts: 221 Member
    I train at 6.30am. I do it fasted no problem. If you eat later then it's recommend to eat protein & carbs before (30-45min) to benefit.

    Pre-workout I use Pulse by Legion Athletics. It has no fillers and the doses are at the recommend value (i cross check things like examine.com ).

    But, a good black coffee is good pre-workout 15mins before. So you don't need expensive supplements. I like them though. Pulse includes Beta Alanine which among other thing, makes your skin feel like it's trying to pull you to the gym
  • fattothinmum
    fattothinmum Posts: 218 Member
    I have never imbibed a sports drink, though I do use protein shakes, but not before a workout. Before a no food workout I drink fluid, or I get lightheaded, and always take a bottle of water with me on a run. I've always been put off drinking calories in fluid that's not going to fill my belly for a few hours. I tend to exercise later in the day, and often will have a piece of toast or a banana half an hour before a long run for me.

    Try a few different combinations and see what works for you.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Do many of you drink pre workout or sports drinks?

    Nowadays I use tailwind for long runs; 16 miles and above. Once I get beyond marathon I'll eat flapjacks, water melon, cake etc

    I'll do up to 10 miles without needing to eat prior but for more than that a bowl of porridge and couple of pieces of fruit do the trick.
    Also, can anyone explain to me roughly how long before a workout I need to consume something? Is it true that if I don't eat before a workout I will burn muscle instead of fat

    You'll only do that if you're significantly under your calorie needs in general.

    If you are going to eat before training your main worry is going to be about how your stomach responds to the stimulus. I can cycle straight after eating but leave it an hour before running.
  • hanzyfizzle
    hanzyfizzle Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks all for your advice! Very helpful!
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