Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Do you?

Eat before your work outs, snack during or wait until your done? Reason I’m asking is today I didn’t eat before my workout and I am still feeling sick from it. I’ve done this before and will never do it again because feeling like this an hour after my workout is preventable. I did eat a banana as soon as I got to the car but it was already to late. I got very light headed, cold and clammy and that was after sweating the fat off, and I had a touch of the diarrhea. Now a headache and still a touchy tummy.

My next question, what do you eat before your work outs? I know that you’re suppose to eat 30 minutes before you start otherwise it will come up and bug you the full work out. What I hate is adding calories that I just want to burn off but that’s not good thinking if I want to push myself as hard as I do at the gym. Heck I’m paying a fortune to go there I’m going to make it worth my while when I’m there.

Today’s run, 100_8513 not my best time but the best time I’ve had since I hurt myself because yet again I didn’t listen to my body. UGH!!! You’d think I’d get smarter as I go along here. I’m very happy with today’s run though and then I did some weight training but after about 30 minutes of that all I could do was try and hold myself up so I had to go home. I didn’t burn the 800 calories I was shooting for but a strong 550 calories. I am going to work out a bit at nap time to make up the last 300 since I’ve already planned my meals and exercise today. Gotta stick with the plan, sure don’t want to screw it up coming out of the gate.

Okay, if you have time please answer my questions on what you do and tomorrow I’ll be back at the gym bright and early seeing what I can do then.

Today is tree taking down day, rearranging the livingroom and cleaning up the kitchen along with daycare and a visit with my grandma. It’ll be a great day. You want to know how I know it’ll be a great day? Cuz I said so and I’m going to make it that way.

Take care and have a blessed day my friends.

25 comments:

Debsdailylife said...

I always eat a peice of peanut butter toast about 30 minutes before workout. My friends trainer says to eat a banana 15 minutes before she starts to workout. And you should eat something to recover within 20 minutes of your workout. I freeze smoothies and take them with me to the gym, and by the time my workout is over they are pretty much thawed. I use yogurt, a cup of berries, soy milk, whey powder, peanut butter, and sometimes some ice. Blend it up, put it in a plastic cup and freeze. At the beginning of the week, I make up enough for the whole week. Another thing that is perfect for post work out is a cup of chocolate milk, esp post run. Ive read that in lots of magazines, It has the right mix of sugar and whatever else it is that youre to recover with.

Unknown said...

Awesome run times! I don't really focus on eating before or after but I should. In the past I didn't like to eat before cause I felt like it will bog me down or something. I never got sick or anything from it so it worked for me. I think you just have to listen to your body & find what works for you. Maybe try eating light 30 minutes before and see how it goes & work from there. Peanut butter toast is great, you get some carbs & protein:-) Eating after is good, that I've done of course! I usually went with fruit or nuts cause they were easy for me to bring with:-)

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I use to not now I do.. Small bowl of multigrain cereal...w/blueberries or bananas... Steel cut oatmeal is good as well...also make sure u hydrate before working out.

Angela Pea said...

Hey Julie!!

Here's what I know:

You need to fuel your body for working out - give it some fast easy energy that your muscles can pull straight from your blood stream, because they NEED fuel to function! This doesn't mean a full meal - this means a snack, preferably one with a balance of carbohydrates (fast fuel, converts quickly to glucose and floods the muscles) and proteins (slower fuel that will hit the bloodstream about the time the carb rush gets used up). It's also important to have a snack after working out that's a little higher in protein in order to give your body materials to repair muscles.

I usually have 1/2 of a peanut butter and banana sandwich before, and a few slices of turkey and a piece of cheese after.

For really long workouts, like runs or long bike rides, you need to top off the tank during. Some folks swear by those little gel things; I prefer real food. I'll carry an apple or a granola bar with me and have a bite or two every 30 minutes. Again, not a full meal or complete snack, but just enough to keep the fast fuel coursing through my bloodstream for my muscles to pull from.

There are hundreds of opinions about fueling for working out...we each need to figure out what works for us!

Kim said...

I eat at least an apple before workout something small but that can give me energy.
You did great on the run, I wish I could even run a whole lap but unfortunately can't I keep working on it though.

The Ninja said...

Back when I was able to do the pulse pounding runs I enjoy I would always have a protein bar about an hour before my workout, otherwise I felt like I was going to die when I got done, and then I'd have a full bottle of water and a piece of fruit on the way home to help tide me over till the next meal.

Karen Butler Ogle said...

Julie, my workouts are not as hard as yours. Mostly, we just hike with packs but it can get tiring. I find that I don't do well on a full stomach so I don't eat much before a workout. I snack a little during when I start to feel weak. That would be my advice. Of course, stay hydrated too. I find that exercise makes me feel full so some times I can't eat for a while after a hike. I do better just with staying hydrated. When I feel hungry, we stop for some trail mix etc. Of course, hiking is much different from running and you really need advice from someone who runs. I hope you get it worked out. Be careful and don't over do it, Julie.I wish you the best.

Southerner said...

Just saw all your sweet comments on my blog! Thank you for all your encouraging words. Since it is new I know no one even sees it, so to have comments is just awesome :) On top of that I was discouraged this morning b/c I tried to take self before shots this morning and can't get them to be in focus, so my husband will have to take them with me wearing a swim suit bottom and sports bra which is humiliating :) So, thank you for bringing some brightness to my day.

I just saw your before photo and you have done an amazing job in getting healthy!

Casey said...

Love all these helpful comments you're getting!
I'm learning, too!

Angela said...

Before a run in the am i always eat half of a bagel thin with pb. Really long runs i fuel while running with power bar gel blasts. After a long workout i recover with chocolate milk or the other half of my bagel. Some people can handle working out on an empty stomach. I cant and i dont think it is that great of an idea. My friend swears by cherrios and skim milk before a run.

Maren said...

I usually work out about 2h after dinner so I don't need a snack then.. but I've learned a lot from these comments, so thank you for posting the question :D

Anonymous said...

I usually have 16 ounces of water and a Greek Yogurt (Fage) about 30 minutes before a workout. Afterwards (and during), lots more water. I don't usually eat something afterwards, but if I do - always fresh. No processed crap, I figure I've already sweated and purged my system some with a good workout, why fill it up with junk again? Fresh fruit or cut up, raw veggies and herbal tea does the trick! :)

Jo said...

When I was doing a little running, I ate a banana or yogurt or peanut butter sandwich before. Then after I would usually have a bowl of cereal or another piece of fruit. I always take a granola bar or trail mix with me, because I have hypoglycemia. It sounds as if that is what happened to you this morning. Always put some kind of fuel in your body before, and protein with carbs is best. Even a cheese & cracker would work for me.

Anne H said...

FORGET THE SCIENCE OF WHAT SHOULD BE... and go with what is, and what works!!!
We why are heavy have a different system than those 20 something year old dudes who were never heavy... you know... the ones who write advice blogs.... THOSE guys!

I myself have a little bite or two before a work out... and then a meal later... best of both worlds... keeps me from throwing up at the gym!

Betty W said...

My workouts are usually my walks. Sometimes I eat before, sometimes I don´t. It all depends on when I get going. If I have to work late, I usually eat afterward. But it doesn´t bother me if I don´t eat. It actually takes away my hunger and if I do my walks first, I don´t need to eat as much at dinner.

But thats just me, you have to listen to YOUR body.

~Mom said...

I like to eat some nuts and a piece of fruit. Something that will give me an energy boost but not be all sloshy in my stomach.

Parry Peach said...

I love your attitude, Julie. Talk about taking charge of your day! I don't eat for at least one hour before my workouts or else everything wants to come back up, so I'm not much help with this. Try a little something before and see what happens. Sometimes not eating enough food will make me sick, too, but not before workouts. Good luck with your goals and happy new year.

Michele said...

Hi, Julie,
Yes, I always eat before I have a work out. Whether it be biking or walking. Something good, healthy and protein dense. I love PB toast, hard boiled eggs or some beans. If I skip eating, I get light headed and lose my ability to finish.

Amber said...

I always eat before working out. Sometimes it is a bowl of oatmeal, or other whole grain cereal.

I also get sick if I don't eat before working out. Even if it isn't a super burn, my blood sugar just drops too low.

Empty Nester said...

I never eat before working out but I would if it bothered me not to! I would probably try some sort of power smoothie.

I'm cleaning up the Christmas stuff too. A sad task.

Anonymous said...

Since I am on WW, I eat fruit before working out since its free - bananas sit best for me. :D

Baby Sister said...

It's been a long time since I really worked out, but I always ate after. I never got lightheaded before. But everyone's body is different. You should just do what feels best. :)

Of One Heart said...

I like that last line. It is a winner!

Shawn said...

Julie,
Like others, I eat a piece of toast with peanut butter and a banana. Your body needs the fuel for the workout. Sounds like your blood sugar dropped too low.
Hang in there, try different foods and you will find what works for you.
Blessings, my friend.
Shawn

lv2 said...

I'm with the mixture of carbs and protein group for the balance it gives you. Also you don't want too much in your stomach or it will reflux up when you do certain exercises. I'm in favor of prehydration about an hour or a little more before and replacement as you go so you neither slosh or feel thirsty. I remember being told that you need to be at least 10% dehydrated before you begin to feel at all thirsty so you don't want that. Over the years what to do post exercise has changed but most often i come across carbs with some protein...but keep the amts down so you don't replace more than you've burned. I did some reading on fasting workouts last winter but not being a muscular 20 year old working on my 8-pk, I don't think it works for me...not sure about you?

These are the times I wish I was one of those superorganized people who can pull up the links ...I looked for but could not locate the site for the exercise physiologist I used to read.