Late Night Workouts

Alb19732 · 03-20-2007, 10:49 AM

I know the best time to work out is generally earlier in the day, but my schedule sometimes forces me to workout late evenings. I generally take in most of my carbs early, and taper off during the day. My question is... If it is best to have carbs before and after your workout to maximize benefits, what do you guys do when you workout late at night? I've always tried to stay clear of carbs right before bed.

Sciamach · 03-20-2007, 10:54 AM

if you workout late at night, you should still take in the carbs post workout. They will go to your muscle and not be stored as fat so no worries there.

Alb19732 · 03-20-2007, 10:57 AM

Thanks! Any recommendations on what that meal should be?

fiXXXerMetallic · 03-20-2007, 11:59 AM

Wondering the same thing, actually.

Many nights, I'm not able to get to the gym until ~9PM - is this "too late" for a workout, when you wake up at 6:45AM for work?

Alb19732 · 03-20-2007, 12:08 PM

I wouldn't say it's too late for a work out, I feel any time you can get in is good compared to the alternative. But for me at that time of night, the last thing I want to do is eat and go right to bed.

yioti · 03-20-2007, 12:11 PM

great question. im in class till 8 so thats when i have to workout. how do you fit in the carbs?

Death From Above · 03-20-2007, 12:18 PM

i used to work out at around 10:30 - 12am when i would get off work at 10, id lift for about an hour and cardio for a half hour, i would drive home drink 2 scoops of whey with banana and peanut butter take a shower and go to sleep, saw great results so i mean youll be fine working out is working out carbs are carbs, no matter what time of the day.

fiXXXerMetallic · 03-20-2007, 12:33 PM

My only worry is if I'll be able to fall asleep, having worked out less than an hour or an hour-and-a-half ago. I might find out tonight...

Death From Above · 03-20-2007, 12:34 PM

bust ass and get cardio in, should do the trick

nithos · 03-20-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiXXXerMetallic

My only worry is if I'll be able to fall asleep, having worked out less than an hour or an hour-and-a-half ago. I might find out tonight...

Good luck. Whenever I have to work out at night, I am wired when I try to go to bed. I am physically exhausted for lifting, but my mind is racing when I am laying there.

nithos · 03-20-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciamach

if you workout late at night, you should still take in the carbs post workout. They will go to your muscle and not be stored as fat so no worries there.

Agreed

Alb19732 · 03-20-2007, 12:39 PM

Yeah I'm in the same boat. Some nights I'm so exhausted, I crash right away. Other nights I'm lying there staring at the ceiling.

user904904904904 · 03-20-2007, 12:42 PM

My favourite thing to do before bed if I worked out late at night is to drink a fruit smoothie with a scoop of protein. That way I'm getting healthy carbs from fruit and a little extra protein for my muscles.

Trimen1000 · 03-20-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nithos

Good luck. Whenever I have to work out at night, I am wired when I try to go to bed. I am physically exhausted for lifting, but my mind is racing when I am laying there.

If your mind is racing by the time you go to bed you need to exercise your mind. Go study theoretical physics for two hours. By the time you're done you'll have a foggy haze in your mind and it will be more than ready to shut down.

Ok so not everyone is ready to study theoretical physics. I generally read right before I go to sleep. I read until my mind can't make my eyes focus on the page anymore. Does the trick every time.

nithos · 03-20-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trimen1000

If your mind is racing by the time you go to bed you need to exercise your mind. Go study theoretical physics for two hours. By the time you're done you'll have a foggy haze in your mind and it will be more than ready to shut down.

Ok so not everyone is ready to study theoretical physics. I generally read right before I go to sleep. I read until my mind can't make my eyes focus on the page anymore. Does the trick every time.

I am the type of person, if I didn't finish working on homework before going to bed (i.e. I got stumped and skipped a problem), I couldn't fall asleep until I had the problem all worked out in my head. So those "unsolvable" topics, like theoretical physics just makes it worse. I spent many a sleepless night after reading about String Theory, Einstein-Rosen Bridge, etc.

Hell, even reading a novel, my mind will try to play out all the possible paths the author might take in the next 20+ pages.

Yes, I have a problem.

IronManXXX · 03-20-2007, 01:13 PM

I usually don't eat anything..but that is because I have a lot of weight to lose.

I think if I was more where I wanted to be it would be find to have a fruit smoothie with protein.

nithos · 03-20-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronManXXX

I usually don't eat anything..but that is because I have a lot of weight to lose.

This will only hurt you in the long run. Your body is starving for nutrients when you finish lifting, so you don't give it anything for 8+ hours???

Alb19732 · 03-20-2007, 01:33 PM

Before I was doing a low carb protein shake. This way I was getting all the nutrients and protein without the carbs. Should I also add a piece of fruit as well?

nithos · 03-20-2007, 01:35 PM

Some oatmeal would work well too, if you want to avoid the dex/malt simple carbs that seem to be all the rage.

mpipes · 03-20-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nithos

Hell, even reading a novel, my mind will try to play out all the possible paths the author might take in the next 20+ pages.

Yes, I have a problem.

Nope you don't have a problem.

I can't read internet forums right before bed, nor books whether fictional or non-fiction. That stuff just stimulates me into thinking more. Not to mention I run my own business so I'm also always thinking about how screwed up the day was, or what tomorrow will bring.

I like watching The Simpsons right before bed. Nothing like mindless TV to override an active brain.

I also take some 5-HTP (tryptophan) on the evenings my brain seems overactive to the point I know I won't be able to get to sleep. It just mellows you out, calms the mind so you can relax. I also get the best sound sleep when I take it and when it's time to wake up there is no tiredness or groggy feeling like sleep medications give you.

No_Nrg · 03-20-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciamach

if you workout late at night, you should still take in the carbs post workout. They will go to your muscle and not be stored as fat so no worries there.

I agree. After a high intensity workout your muscles are like sponges starving for nutrients. Basically any carbs you take in will be used by your muscles to replenish glycogen(a stored form of carbohydrates in muscle tissue) that is lost during exercise. Aim for about 60-80 grams of simple carbs(white rice, white bread, bagel, etc.) and 40-60 grams of whey protein postworkout. Your muscles will thank you for it.