Pre-workout protein

suebee

Cathlete
I was reading in any old workout booklet about how important it is to have a pre-workout protein snack such as 1/2 cup of cottage cheese 30 minutes before doing a weight workout. It said that if you workout for an hour doing weight workouts on an empty stomach that you are losing muscle trying to lift the weight. I have noticed that since I started working out first thing in the morning without eating first instead of in the evening after eating all day that I have not had hardly any muscle gain. It says to eat protein before and immediately after working out.
I have just started doing it this week but wondered also about what to eat before a cardio workout. (Change in job hours made me change workout schedule)
What works best for you? Any suggestions or comments would be welcomed.

Thanks
Susan
 
Hi Susan.

I always eat SOMETHING before any work out...weights or cardio. They say early morning fasted cardio is great for weight loss but I just can't do it....and lifting on empty!? NEVER! I'm not particularly strong to begin with but don't give me any food first and I'll barely be able to lift a 5# DB!:7

Anyway...as far as protein...I eat turkey sandwiches, veggie burgers, protein shakes/bars and cottage cheese. Those are a few right off the top of my head.

HTH!:)
 
I have started working out later in the morning (7a.m. instead of 6a.m.) and find I am hungry. I never ate before I worked out, but now I am eating a handful of cashew nuts, or 1/2 a banana about 20 min. before I workout. I was surprised, but I am seeing a difference in my muscle tone. (I don't count what I eat as part of my morning meal,~ at first I wasn't sure if I should or not)

The only thing I'm not sure about is what to do when school starts. With my older DS going into middle school, I will have to wake up at 5 to workout by 5:30 (I have a hard time getting up:) ) and I don't know if I'll be able to eat first.


Deanie
eta: I eat the banana before a cardio workout, and the nuts before lifting.
 
For me, smoothies are a good way to get in a snack or small meal and get whatever mix of protein and carbs I want, depending on what I put in it. I also use it as a 'delivery system' for supplements (powdered, or those that come in capsules, but that I take out of the capsules).

Even a glass of 'milk' of some type is an option (chocolate hemp milk is my current favorite post-exercise fuel).
 
Before my morning rides that are about an hour and 20 minutes to an hour and a half, I have a Carnation Instant Bkfst. and 3/4 piece of WW toast. A nutritionist came to our cycling club meeting and said that a Carnation Instant Bkfst. was one of the best things you could have b/c it was so complete. She also said who could stand to drink them. Hehe - I've been drinking them since high school. Now I mix with soy milk though b/c of lactose intolerance. And I'm hungry by the time I get home!

Before other cardio that is an hour I only have the Carnation - no toast. Same with lifting. Can't lift a finger on an empty stomach.

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
Thanks for your suggestions. I haven't been doing so well with just the cottage cheese. I think I'll mix it up a little. The apricots and almonds does sound really good.

Susan
 
Trust in the LORD with all your heart.

susan, if you go to http://bodyfitcolumbia.com/forum/index.php?topic=78.0, there is really good info on this subject.

if you are familiar with the firm, it is nancy tuckers new website, and the guy giving the info is on of the original firm starters, mark henrickson. he has tons of great information about all kinds of stuff.
cathy
 
Cathy,

I had to laugh when you said 'if you are familiar with the firm' that's where I started with volume 1 and had great results when working out in the evening but now I've stalled with the morning workouts. I have been to Nancy's forum but have not seen his post. I'll go and check it out again.

Susan
 
Just wanted to reply, I bought my apricots and almonds today and YES! The snack is better than cookies!:)

Thanks
Deanie
 
MMM..I'm thinking fresh apricots (I found some great ones the other day), with a soaked raw almond in the center, dehydrated (maybe with a light coating of agave nectar on) to make a 'cookie' (I've got to put my dehydrator to more use!)
 

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