The Perfect Pre-Workout Snack

[Celestialmom]

Okay, I know there's no such thing as perfect here, but my situation is this: I've been feeling slightly dizzy/nauseous during my last few weeks of workouts (Stage 7 of NROL4W) but just kept going through it. Monday I had my first session with a trainer in a couple of years and only managed to make it through about 20 minutes before I was losing my vision, very dizzy, etc. The workout was challenging, but honestly no more challenging than much of what I've done on my own. We did about 7 min warmup, 3 or 4 intervals on the tm, walking lunges up and down the hallway with 20# dbs (w bicep curls every other step), one set of 7 chinups and one set of deadlifts (135# x 10). Not only did I get sent home by my trainer (embarrassing) but I didn't even get a workout in!

I had eaten about 1300 cal the day before (with a good-sized dinner) and had a kashi bar for breakfast (usually i have an apple or banana). She took my O2 level which was fine and about 10 min later took my blood pressure (90/54). Sorry for all the details, I just can't figure out what might have caused it and don't want to end up the same way tomorrow! Maybe it was a fluke and I have nothing to worry about...Any thoughts or advice on a better "breakfast"?

[foodfromafar]

I have no expertise in this, Celeste, but just wanted to say I'm sorry you had a rough day.

[Aoife]

Well, it might have been too much on low cal, as even though it seems similar there is the intensity factor, and some people (me) will kick it in higher gear when I have something to prove (not necessarily prove, so much as it's just easier to go with gusto with a trainer vs self).

Is your blood pressure always so low?

I find that intensity in workout means bigger breakfast and dinner, and small everywhere else. (Assuming working out soon after breakfast. Otherwise, bigger meal before workout.) Preferably then working 45 to 60 after finishing food. I mean, not gynormous, but bigger than a kashi bar. Like, egg, veggie sausage, toast with butter. Usually about 3-350 cals and some decent fat, carb, and protein.

So, I think in order, if it were me I'd trouble shoot by looking at blood pressure, meal before, total calories v. intensity, and then if nothing start looking at real problems with my doc.

Hope you feel better. You've been feeling crappy, so it's not a total fluke. Take care of yourself.


And considering how people have been around here in the last couple months, maybe congrats.

[Celestialmom]

Originally Posted by foodfromafar

I have no expertise in this, Celeste, but just wanted to say I'm sorry you had a rough day.

Thanks Pauline...me too!

Originally Posted by Aoife

Well, it might have been too much on low cal, as even though it seems similar there is the intensity factor, and some people (me) will kick it in higher gear when I have something to prove (not necessarily prove, so much as it's just easier to go with gusto with a trainer vs self).

That could be true. This is the trainer that watches me work out and is always saying how fit and strong I am, and telling her male clients/other gym-goers that I can outlift them. (not true, btw) So I was feeling like I had to live up to her expectations.

Originally Posted by Aoife

Is your blood pressure always so low?

Don't know, to be honest. I really don't go to the dr much but I do know that when I gave blood they had trouble getting it to actually flow, so I guess that's a good clue for low bp. She took the bp about 10-15 minutes after we stopped the workout, too so I don't know if it went up during that time.

Originally Posted by Aoife

I find that intensity in workout means bigger breakfast and dinner, and small everywhere else. (Assuming working out soon after breakfast. Otherwise, bigger meal before workout.) Preferably then working 45 to 60 after finishing food. I mean, not gynormous, but bigger than a kashi bar. Like, egg, veggie sausage, toast with butter. Usually about 3-350 cals and some decent fat, carb, and protein.

So, I think in order, if it were me I'd trouble shoot by looking at blood pressure, meal before, total calories v. intensity, and then if nothing start looking at real problems with my doc.

Hope you feel better. You've been feeling crappy, so it's not a total fluke. Take care of yourself.

Thanks for your thoughts. I should have made clear that the kashi bar was a snack, not breakfast, but point taken nonetheless. I may try something like some toast w/pb and honey in the am. Tonight is taken care of, just finished a big bowl of venison stew...

Originally Posted by Aoife

And considering how people have been around here in the last couple months, maybe congrats.

ROFLOL!!! I couldn't figure out what you meant at first!!! Obviously you don't read my log--I just posted a music video celebrating the anniversary of dh's certain surgery!!! (Ooh, hope he never reads this forum...) Ahem, NOPE, no pregnancy here!

[Aoife]

Originally Posted by Celestialmom

Thanks Pauline...me too!

Thanks for your thoughts. I should have made clear that the kashi bar was a snack, not breakfast, but point taken nonetheless. I may try something like some toast w/pb and honey in the am. Tonight is taken care of, just finished a big bowl of venison stew...

I was mostly using your wording but me as an example. My normal breakfast is a balance bar, (no me gustan kashi bars, but the cereal is fabu), and so I would find that not enough if I were working out afterward, but fine on normal days.

ROFLOL!!! I couldn't figure out what you meant at first!!! Obviously you don't read my log--I just posted a music video celebrating the anniversary of dh's certain surgery!!! (Ooh, hope he never reads this forum...) Ahem, NOPE, no pregnancy here!

I know someone who's a product of those certain kinds of surgeries.
lolz


I do hope you figure it out though. Personally I'm not a fan of those symptoms.

[Celestialmom]

Originally Posted by Aoife

I know someone who's a product of those certain kinds of surgeries.
lolz

Ack! Don't say that! Four is plenty, thanks! I love every one of them, but really don't need any more lol!

Anyway, workout went great today! Had a nice bowl of venison stew last night and whole wheat toast with peanut butter and honey for the pre workout snack. So she still kicked my butt, but I didn't keel over or anything...

[Cynic]

I have a serving of oatmeal boiled up in milk and pureed fruit and I'm solid for my NROL workouts.

[Espi]

When I used to work out in the morning exclusively, a fruit-coconut omelette was my mainstay breakfast. Once I switched over to evening workouts, I felt really weak until that very same breakfast meal was moved over to precede the workout.. so sometimes I'd eat it twice on a day or opt for something else in the morning.
The trick is apparently the combination of fruit+eggs+coconut with eggs making you last like forever, the coconut acting as a fast fatty energy source and the fruit for stabilizing blood sugar levels by filling up liver glycogen.
Fruit will generally be an apple plus 25g of raisins (today raisins+cranberry mix, yesterday a banana).
Oh, and then a strong cup of coffee as a stimulant for extra focus. Generally another cap of Fortega (a sulbutiamine-based stim).

I will be off in just a few minutes......

[Celestialmom]

Well today I actually ate breakfast first (usually I go early, so I just have a snack, then pwo shake, then breakfast)--and I felt MUCH stronger! I'm just not sure I could go without eating a ton before lunch if I ate an omelette at 6:00. Though btw, that fruit omelette sounds either way yummy or sorta weird, not sure yet. Maybe I'll try it Monday.

[Aoife]

I actually find that an egg breakfast for me is pretty lasting. Otherwise, any other "breakfast" tends to just make me hungry through the day unless it's just a bar or something similarly small.
And that sucks low cal.
That's why my workouts aren't terribly early.


That and I'm still convinced there doesn't exist a 6am.

[Ogedei]

There was a time when I ate cereals in the morning. Like fiber 1 and the like.

But now, for the amount of prep time? May as well just eat eggs every morning. Way tastier, lots of vitamins and minerals, lots of protein. Throw in some spinach for an omelet and you are so good.

I also find it takes me quite awhile to get hungry. When I was working out in the morning my routine would be get up, 5am, eat eggs and such, jump on the bus, workout. (usually an hour after breakfast). Drink a milk and be solid till at least 10.

[KaitlynM2188]

I have a pre-WO protein shake that has a bit of caffeine and gives a really good boost during the workout. I feel great when I drink it then start my workout about a half hour later. Then immediately post I have a custom mixed post shake. It works wonders for me!