Question on Mike's latest T-nation bonus article

[allenkt]

In case you haven't seen it, it's about key times for muscle growth and at http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1414366.

Breakfast is typically my challenge but I like Mike's shake suggestion. My question is this: I usually get up at 4am to be at work by 5:15. Then from 5:30 to 6:30 I will do some relatively light bodyweight training and maybe run a couple of miles (I'm in the Army and this is our Physical Training). So on days like this should I have the shake when I get up at 4:00 or should I just pop some BCAA (which is what I usually do) then eat around 7:00 after I shower?

I should add that on Mondays I go to the gym after PT and work out from 6:30 until about 7:30. On those days I'll typically pop BCAA upon waking, then drink a serving of Surge during and post workout and eat a meal an hour after training (usually steel cut oats and whey, which thanks to Mike's Maxout Radio I have fallen in love with).

Any suggestions are more than welcomed!

Karl

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by allenkt

In case you haven't seen it, it's about key times for muscle growth and at http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1414366.

Breakfast is typically my challenge but I like Mike's shake suggestion. My question is this: I usually get up at 4am to be at work by 5:15. Then from 5:30 to 6:30 I will do some relatively light bodyweight training and maybe run a couple of miles (I'm in the Army and this is our Physical Training). So on days like this should I have the shake when I get up at 4:00 or should I just pop some BCAA (which is what I usually do) then eat around 7:00 after I shower?

I should add that on Mondays I go to the gym after PT and work out from 6:30 until about 7:30. On those days I'll typically pop BCAA upon waking, then drink a serving of Surge during and post workout and eat a meal an hour after training (usually steel cut oats and whey, which thanks to Mike's Maxout Radio I have fallen in love with).

Any suggestions are more than welcomed!

Karl

Going from 4am-7am, working out and getting no food in that time is not ideal. You need to eat some food before then for sure. If you cant eat a full meal before then, I would at least recomend a double serving protien shake or something of the sorts.

[allenkt]

I agree it's not good to go from 4-7am without eating although it usually doesn't bother me too much as long as I have my Surge. A few years ago I used to do a complete workout at 5am with no food or anything other than water until after I was done. Definitely don't want to do that again though.

I should also add that my goal right now is to put on lean muscle. I can stand to lose some fat but don't have fat loss as my primary goal.

[Lost Dog]

It's hard to eat and workout early in the morning. I'd say just a simple protein shake would be cool. Or, if you want something more substantial, you could make 1/2 of that big shake. Or, if you've got a fridge, make the whole shake, but drink the other 1/2 after your running is over?