Eating before a workout..

AmandaLeigh1014

What does everyone eat before a workout? And how long ahead of time? I never know..

WestCoastGirl05

I typically try NOT to eat before a work out... mainly because I get cramps .. indegestion. But thats mostly if I do cardio... if your doing some sort of weight training it's probably not a risk for that, but I have heard you should try to wait at least an hour after eating before you work out... though I cant remember the reasons.

If you MUST eat... and somtimes I have to because I'm famished... then I try to eat light, half a granola bar or protein bar... and nothing too heavy, you'll feel sluggish. I hope this helps... good luck!

heyimbren

I dont eat before cardio- I go on an empty stomach and then have something with protein right afterwards.

Before I do weight training, I have a small snack of fruit/juice box for the sugar to get me going.

lbarr088

Road races: Toast/bagel with peanut butter and hour to two before.  Then I have a banana under the hour mark.  I would get really bad indegestion if I ate something right before.

Night workouts:  I usually bring a energy/protein bar (lots of nuts) on the train home from work because I am starving.  I eat that within 10 min of getting on the train and I don't get home until 40-50 min after that.  I drink a bottle of water during that time.  Hydration is very very important!

AmandaLeigh1014

I always thought it was important not to work outvon an empty stomach because its counter productive and your body has no energy... i typically work out in the morning shortly after waking up (because i work second shift) does this change things considering eating breakfast starts your metabolism?

juma1111

I'm with all the other ladies, I typically try to not eat before working out, atleast for a few hours. I generally workout in the evenings after I get home from work. My schedule will look like below.

Afternoon snack around 3pm.
Supper around 6pm with the family. I generally eat a light supper compared to my lunch.
Workout no earlier than 7:30, but typically start around 8pm. This depends on what I eat for supper.
I am hypoglycemic so I have to eat on a very rigid schedule, but I also get very bad indigestion if I workout too hard after eating a large/heavy meal.

janicediamond

I typically take a zico coconut water with me when I work out.   What helps me most with avoiding holiday weight gain is starting my day with a nutrient dense and fiber rich delicious breakfast that is satisfying, filling and gives me energy.  If I start my day right and am full, I am less likely to make poor eating decisions later in the day.  My new go to breakfast is is a cup of 0% fat free Greek yogurt with almonds, berries and FitFlax. (http://www.fitflax.com)  FitFlax is a blend of roasted golden flax with chia that is low carb and low cal and totally delicious (tastes nutty like peanut butter). It helps with weight loss and is filling and loaded with Omega 3's and fiber.  I will sometimes also crumble into the yogurt a chocolate rice cake.  YUM!

HeatherID+NY

I use to get cramps but now I eat something small, like a piece of toast or a slice of lunchmeat.  And don't forget to prehydrate too!

colli459

I'm with the other ladies in the not eating before working out boat. I usually wake up, and working out is the first thing I do, followed by breakfast with some protein. Reason being: you only have so much blood in your body, right? It carries oxygen and nutrients to all the muscles and organs that are constantly working whether we're conscious of it  or not. Because your digestive organs are all lined with smooth muscle, eating acts as a stimulus for these muscles, much like movement of your arm stimulates your biceps, for example. If you attempt to work out right after eating, a designated portion of your blood has already been sent to your gut to digest the food. If you begin to use your other muscles in the working out process, there's essentially not enough blood to go 'round and that's basically what leads to the cramping feeling.

number55

I pretty much have to eat out before a really challenging workout or there is no point in me bothering to try to do it because I won't be able to push myself to the limit. So if I am doing a run (5k or higher), a serious weight workout or a serious cardio class (Body Attack) I make sure that I have eaten about an hour to 45 minutes before. I also find that if I don't have something in my system before I do hot yoga I usually feel faint during the class. If I am going to go jump on the elliptical and do some weights (nothing with huge amounts of weight though) I am usually okay with nothing in my stomach. But afterwards I will need something for sure.

My before workout standby is about 200 calories of steel cut oats and quinoa. But in a crunch anything with a good protein to carb ratio will do. 

bridetobeloved

When are your eating?  When do your work out normally? 
If you have to eat something prior, I would go with a protein shake.  Then have your meal post work out.  Its actually the best time to eat your meal

AmandaLeigh1014

Wow everyone thanks for all the advice! Ill have to try it all on for size and see what works best. I just hate to be working out and starving at the same time because then I can't focus on what I'm doing and sometimes cut my workout short. It can be Very frustrating.

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_eating-before-workout?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:e8b1a9de-1af9-46c5-be6c-364e144c9336Post:c2c69bfd-41f4-4c03-8fe9-a9667a7ac06c">Re: Eating before a workout..</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow everyone thanks for all the advice! Ill have to try it all on for size and see what works best. I just hate to be working out and starving at the same time because then I can't focus on what I'm doing and sometimes cut my workout short. It can be Very frustrating.
Posted by AmandaLeigh1014[/QUOTE]

You definitely shouldn't feel like your starving- I guess I should have clarified before, but it also depends on when you're working out and the type of workout it is. But if you're really hungry, that isn't good either.

acaponi87

I need to eat something ususally before I work out. Nothing big, maybe a granola bar or something, a piece of fruit. I try to eat it like 20 minutes before.

My sugar tends to drop pretty quick when I workout if I haven't eaten anything recently. 

kipnus

I feel sick if I anything less than two hours before my swim practice. If I'm running (I am not a hard-core runner) I'm ok with having oatmeal or a banana an hour beforehand. I also like oatmeal with PB and chocolate chips about an hour before I lift weights.

AmandaLeigh1014

See i usually go in the morning to the gym shortly after waking up. I like to eat a little something maybe about 45 mins to an hour before to fuel up. But should it be protein like eggs or carbs like a slice of toast? Which is more beneficial? I'm sorry I'm probably going in circles with this.

Jaridds68

I work out early in the am too, I think either eggs or toast are fine, personally I could only really keep the toast down during a workout though I often just eat a banana or a fruit cup.

When you workout your body taps into its energy stores already in your muscle/fat, not in the food you just ate, so there's no advantage w/ carbs vs protein. Some people experience a blood sugar drop during their workout, esp if they haven't eaten in a while, I'm def one of those ppl. Fruit is often the best way to combat this - it gives a quick shot of sugar into your system pre-workout so you don't feel faint/dizzy later.

If you don't experience a blood sugar drop during your morning workouts, I would just go with what sounds good to you, and what you know you can keep down.

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_eating-before-workout?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:e8b1a9de-1af9-46c5-be6c-364e144c9336Post:e28bcdf2-333f-41b2-b6a8-8dc6ac2bf164">Re: Eating before a workout..</a>:
[QUOTE]See i usually go in the morning to the gym shortly after waking up. I like to eat a little something maybe about 45 mins to an hour before to fuel up. But should it be protein like eggs or carbs like a slice of toast? Which is more beneficial? I'm sorry I'm probably going in circles with this.
Posted by AmandaLeigh1014[/QUOTE]

I usually have breakfast before I go to work out, since it's later in the morning. I have my typical breakfast (eggs, yogurt) but right before I go (about 15-20 minutes before I work out) I have a piece of fruit like a banana- for the sugar, I find it gives me a good energy boost so I work harder. Then I have protein (protein shake or chicken or something) right after.