Dinner after gym

loro929

So, I mentioned awhile back I was trying to get into a gym routine. I try to go afterwork because its more convenient and I get to sweat off all the stress of the day, which makes me feel like a million bucks (the little things). 

Anyway, because of the gym, I have been trying to eat "lighter" in the night. Thing is, I get home kind of late, 9-ish. So, I don't want to spend a lot of time preparing a really complicated dinner. This is leaving me really blank for good lighter dinner options that are not romaine lettuce, tomates, oil and vinegar.

So, what should be on the menu tonight?

What are your go-to, quick and lighter dinner options?

ShesSoCold

I've been making an asston of vegetable soup on Sundays and eating it at work all week for lunches. Easy, light and just as good reheated as the day I made it (if not better). 

Basically slap whatever veggies you like in a pot with stock and whatever spices you like. I add stuff like carrots and onions first to soften and stuff like zucchini and kale last so it doesn't turn to mush. 

Edited for typo.

mschristie123

DH looooves baked chicken so we do that at least once a week. We buy a couple packs of chicken wings and bake them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. We have them in the fridge all week and eat them for dinner when we're busy and take them to work for lunches. It's super simple and basic but works for us. I usually make roasted broccoli or asparagus to go with it for dinner.

Since I have my mornings back now that I'm done studying, I'm starting to prep meals before work. Tonight, we are having roasted acorn squash stuffed with sausage, peppers, nuts, and raisins. I roasted the squash and made the filling before work, so all I have to do is assemble everything and throw it in the oven tonight.

kat1114

How about a smoothie? Sometimes if I workout at night, I'm not too hungry when I get home. I usually throw some greek yogurt and fruit in a blender and call it dinner, but obviously you could get more creative.

theartistformerlyknownas

Sometimes if I work out late I'll just have a green smoothie with some brown rice protein afterward. Otherwise, some type of big batch bean/grain salad that I've cooked ahead of time for the week and either eat cold or heat up. High in protein and there are lots of different ways you can make them. Quinoa and black beans with chipotle seasoned tomatoes, cilantro and avocado, or <this> recipe with curry and mango. 

loro929

These are all great ideas to add to the roster. 

I just get so bored eating salad after a long day of work and the gym - I look forward to something with a bit more pizzazz.

climbingsingle

Salmon. Throw it in the oven for 20 minutes at 425. You can put a whole multitude of things on it. I know it sounds weird, but I love to put a little butter on it and then drizzle with honey. It comes out delicious. 

A fritata is also a good quick meal, and you can add whatever veggies you want. 

birdybride2014

any sort of stir-fry is easy and can be flavorful too! some chicken with veggies, or even just the veggies over rice! 

loro929

@lolo883 that salad looks absolutely delicious. I need to think ahead more when I go to the supermarket. Because now, for instance, I am still at work, then go straight to the gym and the supermarket will already be closed when I get out. FI also tends to work pretty late so we try to do heavy-duty food shopping on the weekends, or mid-week who ever gets out of work / gym before the super market closes wil run to the store to grab the ingredients we need for that night. We are the worst with stocking a fridge. But, things like beans, can be kept on hand and we can think ahead to the fresh ingredients.

@ClimbingBrideNY i LOVE salmon. Have never tried it with butter and honey though, that sounds like a real treat. Will definitely be trying that out also!

lovemyrunner

Hummus with veggies or crackers!

mschristie123

ClimbingBrideNY said:

Salmon. Throw it in the oven for 20 minutes at 425. You can put a whole multitude of things on it. I know it sounds weird, but I love to put a little butter on it and then drizzle with honey. It comes out delicious. 

A fritata is also a good quick meal, and you can add whatever veggies you want. 

ClimbingBrideNY said:

Salmon. Throw it in the oven for 20 minutes at 425. You can put a whole multitude of things on it. I know it sounds weird, but I love to put a little butter on it and then drizzle with honey. It comes out delicious. 

A fritata is also a good quick meal, and you can add whatever veggies you want. 

Oh! That reminds me that breakfast for dinner could be really quick and yummy for after the gym. If you just fried up some eggs and turkey bacon, you'd get tons of lean protein in like 2 minutes flat.

sarawifenow

When I am in a rush, I will roast some sausage, onions, zucchini, yellow squash, and garlic in a 400 oven for about 30 minutes. Cook some bow tie pasta in the mean time and then toss everything together with a little lemon juice and fresh parsley.

amelisha

I roast vegetables in the oven with lemon and garlic (and drizzle with some truffle oil once they're out of the oven) and throw a piece of fish in to broil for 5-10 minutes at the end. Simple and easy.

I also buy a lot of bagged salads and throw some extra chopped veg in (red peppers and tomatoes usually) and some smoked tofu. Super fast and lots of them come with some nuts or whatever for some fat to keep me full. 

levioosa

The only thing I want to add is to make sure you are eating enough protein after your workout.  You need protein for recovery, otherwise you won't see good gains.  @ClimbingBrideNY probably has the best post workout meal.  Just add some veggies.

If you do go with the "lighter option" meals, you could also add a good quality protein shake to your meal.  

ninaleigh89

Is crockpot option available? I find that pretty muc any meal can be prepared in a crock pot. You let it cook while you are working/gym, put it on low if you will be gone all day. Rice and keilbasa is good. Or chili that you can make hearty or light.