(bad) sugars with exercise?

[JimmyC]

how bad is it for you to have lots of chocolate, cookies, or other sugary junk immediately preceding a lifting or hiit session?

i dont mean every time, just like A LOT of junk right before one session maybe once every few months at most.

i know its good to indulge every once in a while for psychological purposes, but what exactly would it do to you physically?

thanks

[RacerBill]

I can only relate anecdotes from my own experience, and I can only recall two instances where I ate junk before a workout. It was back when I did Turbulence Training. I managed to get through the weights portion, but the HIIT afterward wiped me out. First time, my heart was pounding so hard even after the rest period, I stopped a few intervals early. The next time, I managed to get through it all, but felt lightheaded and woozy.

Simple carbs and no protein is lousy fuel.

[JimmyC]

thanks for your input, Bill.

i have another related question. would having some really refined carbs such as Ramen be an acceptable pre or post workout carb source? since im gonna be starting college in a few weeks and that would be a quick convenient meal around workout time

[LunchboxMan]

I don't think it would be ideal. My personal experience is that my runs a lot "easier" if i have some sort of complex carbs+protein before instead of sugar/protein drink. Also, either in last or one before that, MH had a little summary of the study where they studied FAT loss for people doing cardio after various meals containing same calories. one group was complex/fiberious carbs+milk and another refined carbs from cereal plus milk. the complex carbs group had greater fatloss as measured post excercise. those are my reasons not to indulge in crappy carbs before workouts.

[Lost Dog]

No one should eat Ramen. Ever.

[malkore]

ramen is rather fatty, in addition to being overly processed.
white rice post workout would be acceptable if you didn't want a sugary carb.