Eat before or after workout?

[jimm714]

Is it ok if I have a big meal right before doing a workout? Or is it better to eat after? I am usually really hungry before I workout. After I'm done, I always drink a protein shake which kind of makes me full and ruins my appetite so I can't eat as much as I want to before getting full.

Another thing, I am trying to gain mass right now and I know that I have to eat a whole lot, something like 4 big meals a day. I find it hard to eat so much because I get full and also I have shcool so it is hard to be able to get decent meals. Could anyone who has school post what they usually eat in one day?

[-GIBBO14-]

Right firstly, eat your good meal before working out, make sure it has carbs in it, have your shake after and then have some complex carbs at home, 2 houres or so later eat another high protein meal.

Now for school, its easy...

8.00am Meal 1 ( whatever you choose, eggs or somthing)

11.00 am (break time)protein bar and sandwhich

1.30 (dinner time) protein shake

4.00 your pre workout meal...The time of breaks may vary at your school

Thats about, 150g already lol hope i helped

[JellyBeans]

woah wtf? you eat dinner at 1:30?

[-GIBBO14-]

woah wtf? you eat dinner at 1:30?

Hes on about at school didnt you have a break... normally in England called dinner time...lol.. and i dont really have a dinner time any more its just Meal time throughout the day 6 times dailey or so.

[jimm714]

hm ok thanks, but isn't it bad to eat a lot then immediately jump in and lift some weights? Same idea when people tell you not to go swimming right away after you eat? This is what I have been doing:

Meal 1 : 7 o'clock eggs or something so that I'm pretty full

Meal 2: 12 o'clock Turkey/Roast Beef sandwhich with banana and some fruit

I get home from school around 3, and this is where I'm unsure of what to do. but usually...

Workout: around 4-5

Protein shake right after

Meal 3: A big dinner following that

I usually can't get the 4th meal in, often times because I am not hungry or it is too late.

Protein shake** before going to bed.

**I've heard that there are different kinds of protein such as whey, ion-exchange, microfiltered, etc. and that there are certain times when each would be the best to take. My protein powder contains:

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Microfiltered Whey Protein Isolate
Ion Exchange Whey Protein Isolate
Ultrafiltered Whey Protein Concentrate
Egg Albumin
Micellar Casein

So with all of this stuff in it, when would be the best times to take it? I usually take a drink in the morning(27 g), after my workout(54 g), and before I sleep(27 g). I weigh 125 lbs, so I think I'm not getting enough.

[jimm714]

woot

[Bon]

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Microfiltered Whey Protein Isolate
Ion Exchange Whey Protein Isolate
Ultrafiltered Whey Protein Concentrate
Egg Albumin
Micellar Casein

Lol, your like a walking GNC.
ON 100% Whey protein is considered the favorite among these boards. Its good protein, pretty cheap, and plenty of servings. Hydrolized whey protein is really the only protein supplement you'll need.

You want to try not to eat an hour before going to the gym. Theres an actual biological reason for this. When you eat, your stomach requires much more blood to be pumped there in order to help the digestive system break down your foods. So if you were to go to the gym right after eating a big meal, there will be conflict for blood between your stomach and the muscles your working out. This can cause indigestion, increases the chances that you'll puke during workouts, can cause extra fatigue which will make your workouts suffer.
The same is also true about post workout meals. If you eat a big meal too soon after a workout, it can cause blood to be diverted from the muscle, towards the stomach. So you usually want to wait 1-2 hours after working out before you have a big meal.

That really only applies to having a big meal though. Theres nothing wrong with a protein shake before or after a workout.

Edit: I noticed that you mentioned you get home around 3, you can have a good meal at that time and you'll be fine to go to the gym at around 4.

So with all of this stuff in it, when would be the best times to take it? I usually take a drink in the morning(27 g), after my workout(54 g), and before I sleep(27 g). I weigh 125 lbs, so I think I'm not getting enough.

Those are perfect times to take it. And at 125 lbs, your definately getting enough. Your getting about 108g of protein just from the shakes, and your also still getting plenty of protein for the normal foods you eat. You're fine.

[maverick22]

woot

lol why did you say woot

[maverick22]

Right firstly, eat your good meal before working out, make sure it has carbs in it, have your shake after and then have some complex carbs at home, 2 houres or so later eat another high protein meal.

Now for school, its easy...

8.00am Meal 1 ( whatever you choose, eggs or somthing)

11.00 am (break time)protein bar and sandwhich

1.30 (dinner time) protein shake

4.00 your pre workout meal...The time of breaks may vary at your school

Thats about, 150g already lol hope i helped

wow are you a bird.
because your eating for a bird

[dmoore323]

Hes on about at school didnt you have a break... normally in England called dinner time...lol.. and i dont really have a dinner time any more its just Meal time throughout the day 6 times dailey or so.

Yea i call lunch dinner as well.
-Breakfast
-Dinner
-Supper

[jimm714]

haha ok. Actually lol all of those proteins and stuff are included in a single powder. that really helped and yeah I was thinking that eating right before you have to exert your muscles is bad because of the whole blood thing. Thanks Bon, this really helped a lot =] <33

[maverick22]

haha ok. Actually lol all of those proteins and stuff are included in a single powder. that really helped and yeah I was thinking that eating right before you have to exert your muscles is bad because of the whole blood thing. Thanks, this really helped

post a pic of yourself so i can assess you and post a plan accordingly. whats you body fat, weight and height and are you big-boned.

[Bon]

Actually lol all of those proteins and stuff are included in a single powder.

Oh. If they're all in one powder then thats perfectly fine. I was thinking that you were buying like 4 different types of protein powders lol. As long as you got the whey in there, you're set.

[jimm714]

I'll get back to you maverick ASAP