Help with protein powder, greens powder, and pre workout meals

meganrescobosa9207
meganrescobosa9207 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello! I am trying to get back in shape and lean out/lose some fat. I'm a former track/cross country runner so cardio comes easy to me but I am now trying to work in strength and resistance training as well. I despise it so I find it hard to dedicate entire days to strength training so I try to get it in a few days a week before the rest of my workout. I've started a weekly routine of starting out with a 30 min body weight strength routine 3x a week, two of those days followed by a HIIT stair master workout and the other followed a Les Mills bike sprint class or bar class. I'm training for a half marathon in April, so I also add in one day of rowing or biking + a 4 mile run and 1 weekend long run. So a total of 5 workout days. Besides the long run (which i typically do at my leisure on the weekends), the other workouts I do before work in the morning. I don't have the motivation to go to the gym after a full day of work, so I must go to the gym in the morning. I'm finding it hard to time my meals. I wake up feeling hungry most days, so I want to eat right away but since I start my workout 30-40 minutes after waking up, I feel nauseous and get cramps during or after some of the higher intensity workouts. I also like drinking fresh fruit/veggie smoothies in the morning, but I also add a SuperGreens powder to it, which I've recently learned is a huge no-no immediately before or immediately after working out. But since I feel Sick if I drink my daily smoothie too soon before the workout, I've been drinking it immediately after. I just purchased isolate protein powder and I've never used protein supplements before. I'm planning on maybe trying to eat just 1 boiled egg or maybe half a banana when I wake up just to get something in my stomach before I work out then maybe save my fruit/veggie smoothie + protein powder for after my workout? should nix the Super greens powder from the smoothie since I will be drinking it immediately post workout? I've read greens powder hinders post workout recovery. or will the protein sort of counter act whatever negativity comes from consuming greens powder soon after a workout? Are there any fruits I should avoid mixing with protein powder? Also, is the protein altered at all if I blend it in a smoothie around 5:30 am but don't consume it until 7-7:30am? Like does it need to be freshly blended to be potent? It's legion whey protein if that makes a difference. Thank you for any help and advice!!

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    What specifically in the greens powder is supposed to be hindering your post workout recovery?

    Protein powder will not become less potent if you blend it and then drink it a couple of hours later (just like chicken breast, for example, retains its protein whether you eat it immediately after cooking or as leftovers).

    There are no fruits you should avoid mixing with protein powder.

    My basic position on meal timing and exercise -- for all of us barring elite athletes, we don't need to put too much thought into it. If we feel we do best eating something like prior to exercise, we should do that. So having an egg or half a banana in the morning is a good approach if that works for you.
  • BroooklynZooo
    BroooklynZooo Posts: 12 Member
    I am a former track runner too! Been lifting for about 6 months now. First thing AM, fasted cardio while my green smoothie defrosts in my locker. It has: full fat Greek yogurt, hemp hearts, fresh beet juice, spinach, and pineapple. I prefer fresh vs veggie powder. During my strength training circuit I drink my smoothie no problem!

    As long as you're eating healthy fats, protein, and fresh veggies (minimal sugary fruit) I don't think you can go wrong
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