Pre/post workout meals

I know this question has been done to death. But what I would like to know is the best method possible for losing weight and sustaining muscles after a workout. It seems that I may have been wasting time in the gym for the past weeks.

I workout 3 times a week, around 1 hr of weight training and finish off with HIIT 20 mins.

I only eat 3 meals per day and I eat dinner before my workout. My dinner usually consists of greek salad and chicken breast, turkey breast or salmon sandwich. After the workout, I don't eat ANYTHING before I go to sleep apart from my 'no carb whey protein shake' right after HIIT. Should I be eating more carbs after my workout?

One thing, I can only eat 1 breakfast and 1 lunch, due to work related reasons, I can't snack between meals. However, I could split my dinner in to 2. If so, how should I split my dinner for the best possible pre/post workout meal? And, when should I drink my whey? If I'm trying to lose weight, should I be drinking whey anyway. Should I drink whey on days I don't workout? Yeah I'm clueless.

Thanks guys.
Tom
 
Hi Tom,

Have you calculated your required calorie intake? Firstly, make sure that you are getting enough calories through the day.

Also, try to do your HIIT on the in between days. No offense but if you are able to to do HIIT after a 1 hour weights sessions then a) your not working hard enough in the weights room or b) you're not doing HIIT correctly. Regardless, always best to do your cardio after weights if a seperate day is not possible.

Best to drink your whey straight after your gym workout because that is when the muscles need it most. Carbs are also a good idea after a workout to replace glycogen stores. You can either get these from a supplement or from fruits such as strawberries, apples, grapefruits. Fats are also good after a workout through food such as nuts, fish etc.

Do you need whey? Not if you get enough protein through your normal diet and it exceeds your daily calorie requirement. Keep in mind however that protein is very important when trying to lose fat so that you can maintain most of your muscle.

Not sure how you are going to break up a chicken salad over two meals however just make sure you are fueling yourself about 2 hours before a workout to give you enough energy. Eat plenty of fruit and protein as well as carbs for energy and all will be good.
 
I know this question has been done to death. But what I would like to know is the best method possible for losing weight and sustaining muscles after a workout. It seems that I may have been wasting time in the gym for the past weeks.

What makes you think you have been wasting your time the past few weeks? Be more specific.

When one tries to lose fat tissue weight, one ought to have on their mind the idea to keep all the muscle they can. What tells the body to keep the muscle or tells the body at least it needs it, is the weight training. Next is a carefully selected and wise calorie deficit. These two elements will assist in staving off muscle loss......but not totally eliminate it (when past beginner gains). This just has to be accepted.

Therefore just like the another member has said, you need to figure your calorie needs (Maintenance Line) and THEN create an appropriate calorie deficit.



I workout 3 times a week, around 1 hr of weight training and finish off with HIIT 20 mins.

This sounds okay with what I know. What do you do in weight training.

I only eat 3 meals per day and I eat dinner before my workout. My dinner usually consists of greek salad and chicken breast, turkey breast or salmon sandwich. After the workout, I don't eat ANYTHING before I go to sleep apart from my 'no carb whey protein shake' right after HIIT. Should I be eating more carbs after my workout?

Yes, eat carbs after your workout (some simple carbs too) in addition to protein (whey powder is fine)

If you lifestyle allows, try to fit in more meals than the three (5 to 6 is good).
Ensure your pre and post WO meal (protein and complex/simple carbs before and after)----all fit within your caloric requirements.



Best wishes in all that you set out to do



Chillen
 
Last edited:
I know this question has been done to death. But what I would like to know is the best method possible for losing weight and sustaining muscles after a workout. It seems that I may have been wasting time in the gym for the past weeks.

I workout 3 times a week, around 1 hr of weight training and finish off with HIIT 20 mins.

I only eat 3 meals per day and I eat dinner before my workout. My dinner usually consists of greek salad and chicken breast, turkey breast or salmon sandwich. After the workout, I don't eat ANYTHING before I go to sleep apart from my 'no carb whey protein shake' right after HIIT. Should I be eating more carbs after my workout?

The main fuel for weight training is glycogen and the main fuel for HIIT is also glycogen - since both are considered to be primarily anaeorbic exercises. After both those workouts your glycogen stores are diminished. Your body converts the carbs you eat into glycogen. So you want get ingest carbs after a workout so you can begin the process of topping up those glycogen stores asap. Having some ( Hi GI ) carbs within 30 minutes of working out increases the rate at which you can replenish these glycogen stores. Having some ( Hi GI ) carbs along with your protein within 30 minutes of working out also enhances the ability of your muscles to absorb protein ( due to carb induced insulin spikes ).

In a nutshell, you definately SHOULD be eating more carbs after your workout.

One thing, I can only eat 1 breakfast and 1 lunch, due to work related reasons, I can't snack between meals. However, I could split my dinner in to 2. If so, how should I split my dinner for the best possible pre/post workout meal? And, when should I drink my whey? If I'm trying to lose weight, should I be drinking whey anyway. Should I drink whey on days I don't workout? Yeah I'm clueless. Thanks guys.
Tom

What time does your lunch end ?

What time do you leave work at the end of the day and what time do you start your weight workout at the gym ? And - what time do you get home from the gym ?
 
Chillen: I remember there use to be a post where you've exaplained in detail about calorie deficit, calculating MT line, and all those calculations. If you can supply the link for me...I can't seem to find it on the search for some reason.

The reason I said that I've wasted time in the gym is because I guess I haven't been sustaining my muscles to the fullest potential. I haven't been eating carbs and fat after my workout, only whey protein.

So am I right in saying that I should eat protein, healthy fat, carbs (simple/complex) BEFORE and AFTER my workout, ALL within my daily calorie intake? And, for pre-workout I should eat 2 hrs before, and post workout, before 1hr after my workout? I'm so clueless about these things but once I get used to it I go completely OCD over it.

As for my workout plan, it's on the forum but no one seemed to have looked on it yet. If you have time pls take a glance. Thanks! One thing I gotta change is my HIIT routine.

JTM: In regards to HIIT, since you mentioned that I should do them in off days, would it be okay to do 30 mins of normal cardio after my workouts (3 times a week), and do 2-3 sessions (off days) of HIIT a week?

Need a lot of help guys!
Thanks!!

Tom.
 
Wrangell:
I have breakfast at 9:00 am
lunch starts at 1:00pm to 2:00 pm
I have dinner at 7:30 to 8:00
Start working out at 9:00
and finish everything at 11:00
I know i should sleep earlier but I usually go to bed at 2:00am.

Now, since JTM has mentioned that I should do HIIT on the off days, do i also need whey/carbs/fats for pre/post workout meal on days I ONLY do HIIT?


Thanks!:)
 
Chillen: I remember there use to be a post where you've exaplained in detail about calorie deficit, calculating MT line, and all those calculations. If you can supply the link for me...I can't seem to find it on the search for some reason.

The reason I said that I've wasted time in the gym is because I guess I haven't been sustaining my muscles to the fullest potential. I haven't been eating carbs and fat after my workout, only whey protein.

So am I right in saying that I should eat protein, healthy fat, carbs (simple/complex) BEFORE and AFTER my workout, ALL within my daily calorie intake? And, for pre-workout I should eat 2 hrs before, and post workout, before 1hr after my workout? I'm so clueless about these things but once I get used to it I go completely OCD over it.

As for my workout plan, it's on the forum but no one seemed to have looked on it yet. If you have time pls take a glance. Thanks! One thing I gotta change is my HIIT routine.

JTM: In regards to HIIT, since you mentioned that I should do them in off days, would it be okay to do 30 mins of normal cardio after my workouts (3 times a week), and do 2-3 sessions (off days) of HIIT a week?

Need a lot of help guys!
Thanks!!

Tom.


Here ya go, brotha.

I'll just post it here, what I traditionally post for new members.

Good luck in all that you set out to do!

Have you considered a diet and training journal? You could impart your diet, training, ask questions, and I believe you would get alot of assistance as a lot of eyes see these journals

Wish you the best of luck!

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Calorie calculation is an approximation science, remember this. Through your journey WATCH, LOOK, and LISTEN, to your body..........it will TELL YOU if your doing the correct things or combination of things!


○ Change your eating habits (below are some suggestion examples)

○ Substitute an artificial sweetener of your choice in the replace of refined white sugar (Refrain from Refined Sugar like you would a disease)

○ Try eating 5 to 6 smaller meals during the day

○ Balance your meals out during the day so in one day you have a mix of protein, carbohydrate and good fats

○ Drink lots of water during the day and before, during and after exercise

○ Simple Carb Examples: Grapefruit, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Strawberries, Oranges, Apples, Pineapple, etc

○ Complex Carb Examples: Whole Wheat Pita Bread, Oatmeal, Long Grain Brown Rice, Brown Pasta, Malto-Meal (Plain, whole wheat),etc

○ Good Protein Examples: White or Dark Tuna, Chicken Breast, Lean Turkey, Lean Ham, Very lean Beef, Quality Whey Protein Powder,, etc

○ Good Fats Examples: Natural Peanut Butter, Various Nuts, Flax Seed, Fish Oils.

This is what you need to do:

This an approximation science, but you can narrow it down very close, if your meticulous in your vision when looking at the data.

Tweak your desire and passion by educating yourself on the basic requirements of losing fat tissue. With your age, sex, height, and weight, in mind, find your approximated base calorie needs (this is organ function, breathing, or bodily function needs). One can use the Benedict Formula.

Calculate your BMR:

The Harris Benedict equation determines calorie needs for men or woman as follows:

• It calculates your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) calorie requirements, based on your height, weight, age and gender.

• It increases your BMR calorie needs by taking into account the number of calories you burn through activities such as exercise.

This gives you your total calorie requirement or approximated Maintenance Line (I call it the MT Line).

Step One : Calculate your BMR with the following formula:

•Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
•Men: BMR = 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)

Step Two : In order to incorporate activity into your daily caloric needs, do the following calculation:

•If you are sedentary : BMR x 1.2
•If you are lightly active: BMR x 1.375
•If you are moderately active (You exercise most days a week.): BMR x 1.55
•If you are very active (You exercise daily.): BMR x 1.725
•If you are extra active (You do hard labor or are in athletic training.): BMR x 1.9

Create a Calorie Deficit:

In order to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit. It is easier and healthier to cut back your calorie intake a little bit at a time.

Every 3,500 calories is equivalent to approximated 1 pound.

If you cut back 500 calories a day, you will lose approximated 1 pound per week. (not necessarily all fat)

If you exercise to burn off 500 calories a day you will also lose approximately 1 pound per week.

The calorie deficit margin is just an example:

Apply this knowledge by backing off the approximated MT Line (approximated Maintenance line), say for example, a -500c per day, for about 1 week. Before the week begins, weigh yourself in the AM when you FIRST get up (do not eat yet) (remember your clothing, preferably with just underwear and t-shirt or like clothes). Note the time, and the approximated wgt.
Each day spread your caloric content out throughout the day (keep the body fed, with calories in the 300 to 500c approximated calories each meal), or a like division which mirrors your end caloric deficit limit (meaning MT-500c).

This way you have your entire day and body encircled with nutrition (I assume you already know to eat clean), which if your eating right, will give an approximated good energy (not optimal because your in deficit) to fuel your training and exercising schedule.

At the end of the week, on the same day, the same time, with the same like clothes, weigh yourself again. Note whether you lost or gained tissue (or weight I mean). To further assist you, I want to tell you that for every approximated caloric deficit of (-3500c), one could lose 1lb of fat tissue. (though some may not all be fat tissue, this information is for another question, and isn't presently suited here).

Now, in this example you were calculating a -500c per day deficit. There needs to be -3500c to lose approximated 1lbs of fat. Now lets do some basic math. -500cX7=-3500c. With all things considered equal, and you were meticulous and faithful on the diet, you should have been CLOSE to losing at least one pound of tissue in the week.

If this didn't happen, this means you need to make finer adjustments, and the MT line is not accurate, and you need to adjust this on your own.

Based upon the FEEDBACK your body is giving you, ask yourself how faithful you were on the diet, AND how faithful in training (whether you kept the training schedule (if you didn't, this would effect the caloric equation, no?!), AND how accurate you figured in your activities caloric wise.........but, you have the base information to begin making adjustments.

The calorie SURPLUS margin is just an example: (attempt to gain weight)

Apply this knowledge by going OVER the approximated MT Line (approximated Maintenance line), say for example, a +500c per day, for about 1 week. Before the week begins, weigh yourself in the AM when you FIRST get up (do not eat yet) (remember your clothing, preferably with just underwear and t-shirt or like clothes). Note the time, and the approximated wgt.
Each day spread your caloric content out throughout the day (keep the body fed, with calories in the 300 to 500c approximated calories each meal), or a like division which mirrors your end caloric deficit limit (meaning MT+500c).

This way you have your entire day and body encircled with nutrition (I assume you already know to eat clean), which if your eating right, will give an approximated good energy (not optimal because your in deficit) to fuel your training and exercising schedule.

At the end of the week, on the same day, the same time, with the same like clothes, weigh yourself again. Note whether you lost or gained tissue (or weight I mean).

If this didn't happen, this means you need to make finer adjustments, and the MT line is not accurate, and you need to adjust this on your own



=========================================================

The Nutrients are an essential factor in the diet; however, the law of energy balance within the DIET, is the ultimate KING while the Nutrients can play in some decisions made within the body.

Do yourself a favor, figure out your MT line, adjust off of this, eat well balanced spaced out meals (DONT EVER starve YOURSELF), AND listen to your body for the results.

While you are trying to figure out your body, IT WILL PAY YOU BACK, I promise. You have to learn to MASTER yourself to become the master of weight loss for YOURSELF.
========================================================
"Let your inner vision cultivate your ultimate exterior expression" —Chillen

"The strongest inner feeling that prevails will result in the exterior expression" –Chillen

"Your cultivation and manifestation of thought accumulated within your reasoning will determine your outcome"----Chillen
==========================================================
Deficit dieting is the fat burner, and EVERYTHING follows after this. The deficit can be implemented through the diet or exercise can cause the deficit when you know your MT line reference. Without a adequate deficit, cardio WILL NOT burn fat off you. This is WHY I don't partake in the cardio debates of heart rate, etc........because the bottom line is the deficit diet....period, debate OVER. If you stick to the basic: The Law of energy balance, and tip this to the negative side of the equation, you will be on your way, with everything considered equal and your healthy.

Losing fat is sort of like draining a pool. It usually leaves the shallow end first before the larger end starts to diminish. But, fat and/or tissue is lost all over when deficit dieting.

If you want to lose overall body fat, get your diet in order, eat clean, learn what your approximate MT reference line is according to activities (and back off a HEALTHY margin), and perform overall weight training, and of course, include cardio (cardio DOES have its benefits other than burning calories, carbs, fat, ect).

The most effective beginning is to look at your diet, and make a diet journal in my opinion, THEN work in a training program around this diet.

=========================================================
You must have "some obsession".

Have controlled obsession (and obsession to a---Point, is necessary), but some lose this obsession once they learn the amount of work it requires. There eyes then widen and then the obsession then pops right out. Dont let this happen to you: Raise your Want-o-Meter to a new higher level.



Best Regards,


Chillen
 
Thanks for all your advices. Now, one last question is, if somedays I only decide to do cardio, flatout treadmill running, not HIIIT, just slow pace for 1 hr, what should my pre/post meal be like? The same as my working out days? and should I still take whey? I always thought that whey is for weight training days only. Do you guys take whey even on days you don't work out at all?

Thanks.
TOm.
 
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