Working Out and Not Eating Afterwards

[peep]

I have been having a battle with myself lately because sometimes I am not going to have access to my protein shake and regular post workout meal and it makes me feel like I am *by far* not getting the most out of my workout if I don't have it after.

Should I still hit the gym just as hard if I know I won't be able to eat until like an hour after my work out?

thnx

[bronson]

I myself always like to cool down and relax before eating.I like to have a shower,a big drink of water,and then I like to eat.I cant see any problem with working out hard and eating an hour later.I like to wait even longer.Food to me digests better when I am relaxed.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by peep

I have been having a battle with myself lately because sometimes I am not going to have access to my protein shake and regular post workout meal and it makes me feel like I am *by far* not getting the most out of my workout if I don't have it after.

Should I still hit the gym just as hard if I know I won't be able to eat until like an hour after my work out?

thnx

I'll save you a long winded anwser of info you'll probably forget. Just remember this key point. The first hour after you finish a weight training session is the most important time to feed your body if muscle growth is your goal, plain & simple. If you miss out on that, you are squandering a huge opportunity. There is really no reason not to. Pack your stuff with you to the gym & eat or drink it as soon as you walk out the door. It's that easy.

[bronson]

Bodybuilders call this hour the golden hour.Thats when you replace lost nutrients.Chris gave you good advice.Dont go over the golden hour!I myself should listen and try harder to eat sooner.

[Shwa']

Originally Posted by bronson

I myself always like to cool down and relax before eating.I like to have a shower,a big drink of water,and then I like to eat.I cant see any problem with working out hard and eating an hour later.I like to wait even longer.Food to me digests better when I am relaxed.

I would have to agree with bronson, if I go to the fridge after a workout I'm probably out of breath and really sore to move around. A good hot bath or shower should relax the muscles and you'll be able to regain your energy. Then it'll be a good time to grab a bite to eat to battle with the raging hunger in your stomach.

[bronson]

Chris is correct though!You have to take advantage of this window of oppertunity.This first hour is when people drink their favorite supp. and protein drinks.I was talking eating a whole food meal.This is important also.Some say they eat within a half hour,some forty five minuetes,some an hour.This is important to do.

[bronson]

You can check out post workout nutrition at www.gain-weight-muscle-fast.com

[Chris]

Ok guys, put your thinking caps on here & follow along. There are a few factors that you need to consider when constructing a meal plan around your training. First, cutting body fat & gaining muscle are the last priorities of the body's physiology, so you really have to work at it. The second is the production and function of hormones; testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin, and insulin like growth factor (IGF-1). And the third is creating compatibality with excercise & nutrient timing.

You want to have both a pre & post workout meal....best a shake or liquid meal for fast digestion that consists of a protein powder, a high GI carb, and I recommend adding creatine & glutamine if you use them. This method provides an abundance of protein synthesis-stimulating amino acids and insulin-spiking carbohydrates at a time when IGF-1 and GH concentrations are at a peak. So it will maximize the anabolic effect of every workout.

Withen 30-45 minutes after that post-workout shake, consume a small protein-carb meal (low in fiber) of whole food. The timing of this meal is critical not only for stimulating muscle anabolism but also muscle fuel (glycogen) recovery. Muscle is highly sensitive to glucose (carbohydrates) for up to 45 minutes after the workout. This is the time when maximal glycogen recovery takes place. If meal consumption is delayed, muscle glycogen recovery in reduced. This is due in part to a steady decline in the expression of muscle cell glucose transporters, which are stimulated dramatically by intense exercise.

The consumption of a small, protein/carbohydrate-rich meal soon after the post-workout shake is vital. It maintains steady blood glucose and insulin levels that prolongs the maximum anabolic stimulus and ensures efficient muscle fuel recovery.

I know that sounds like a lot but it's really simple.

1. Before you workout have a shake with fast acting protein powder, mixed with a glucose or transport system, and add creatine & glutamine if you use them.

2. Immediately after you workout, have the same shake.

3. 30-45 minutes after that consume a small protein/(low fiber)carb meal.

You can always take this logic even a few steps further, but I think this is enough for this discussion. Make sense?

[bronson]

Thank You Chris.Thats what we want to here!I didnt know that link I put up would be a direct link.

[lottalead]

i don't have to worry cuz after i workout food is only thing on my mind__-----before sex even!!!!!!!!!