I am doing a little experiment on myself regarding sports nutrition and exercise...
I do not subscribe to the high protein, low carb craze, but after studying how the body uses fuel I decided to try something.
Since I workout out in the afternoon, between 1 and 4pm, I decided to try eating just protein and low or no carbs BEFORE I workout. So I get up and have my favorite soy smoothie, then I might have chicken salad or tuns salad made with soy mayo (which rocks and tastes just like mayo), or eggs. Then I do my cardio workouts. I have also shifted from focusing more on weights to fosucing on longer cardio workouts. My goal is decreased bodyfat and increased endurance; better lung capacity to help my asthma and a strong heart.
So it's been a total change. Now I always do about an hour of cardio, I do it 5 times per week or so and weight train only once or twice per week.
Then, immediately following my workout I do have some pure carbs, either from a carb replacement drink powder I mix with water (sourced from grains, not sugars) or I'll eat some cereal or munch on a Cliff Bar.
I've been doing it for about a week now and I have to say the difference already is inspiring. I think that by keeping muscle glycogen stores lower before I work out, my body is learning to access stored fat more quickly than when I used to carb up first. Then after I work out, I throw down some carbs to help reload the muscles for some energy and it aids in recovery. I don't know how this will fare longterm, but if I want to truly be a good trainer, I think I should be my own guinea pig.
It has definitely felt different when working out, I seem to run out of gas more quickly. But as I keep on with this I also notice my endurance coming up, and I think my body is learning to find that stored fuel. Just my theory.
So, I thought all you workout nuts might be interested in my self experimentation. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Essentially, all I'm changing in my diet is to have protein early in the day, carbs later. And of course more cardio. But so far, I'm LOOOOOKING and FEEEELING GOOOOOD!!
I do not subscribe to the high protein, low carb craze, but after studying how the body uses fuel I decided to try something.
Since I workout out in the afternoon, between 1 and 4pm, I decided to try eating just protein and low or no carbs BEFORE I workout. So I get up and have my favorite soy smoothie, then I might have chicken salad or tuns salad made with soy mayo (which rocks and tastes just like mayo), or eggs. Then I do my cardio workouts. I have also shifted from focusing more on weights to fosucing on longer cardio workouts. My goal is decreased bodyfat and increased endurance; better lung capacity to help my asthma and a strong heart.
So it's been a total change. Now I always do about an hour of cardio, I do it 5 times per week or so and weight train only once or twice per week.
Then, immediately following my workout I do have some pure carbs, either from a carb replacement drink powder I mix with water (sourced from grains, not sugars) or I'll eat some cereal or munch on a Cliff Bar.
I've been doing it for about a week now and I have to say the difference already is inspiring. I think that by keeping muscle glycogen stores lower before I work out, my body is learning to access stored fat more quickly than when I used to carb up first. Then after I work out, I throw down some carbs to help reload the muscles for some energy and it aids in recovery. I don't know how this will fare longterm, but if I want to truly be a good trainer, I think I should be my own guinea pig.
It has definitely felt different when working out, I seem to run out of gas more quickly. But as I keep on with this I also notice my endurance coming up, and I think my body is learning to find that stored fuel. Just my theory.
So, I thought all you workout nuts might be interested in my self experimentation. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Essentially, all I'm changing in my diet is to have protein early in the day, carbs later. And of course more cardio. But so far, I'm LOOOOOKING and FEEEELING GOOOOOD!!