Exercising Questions !!

[Mrweh]

Hi,

Currently my exercise routine consists of me exercising in the mid-afternoon / evening, sometime between 2 and 4pm. I will ensure that it has been at least 2 or 3 hours since I ate anything substantial before I begin exercising. After exercising, I will make sure I eat a decent protein-rich meal.

Bear in mind that my "exercising" just consists of push-ups, sit-ups and lifting weights; rather than running or anything like that.

So... my questions are:

- When IS the best time of day to exercise? I've heard people say that it is best to do it as early in the day as possible; is this true?

- How big a difference does when you eat make to your exercising? It's best to exercise on a (fairly) empty stomach, and then to eat a decent, protein-rich meal after exercising... isn't it?

Thanks!!

[JesusFreak]

yes.
yes.

[Faraz421]

The best time of day to excercise is whenever you will be consistent and stick with it. See where it will fit into your scheduale and be most convienent. I prefer to lift evening/afternoonish to avoid morning sluggishness and so that I have plenty of hours before I sleep to eat(to recovery, build muscle, etc.)

As for nutrition. Both before and after strenuous excercise, you should be having some sort of protien and carbohydrate rich meal.
If you eat 'real food', wait an hour to 1 1/2 hrs before excercising, where if you have a liquid meal(shake), wait about 30 minutes, maybe more. Then after excercise, some people have it immediately, but atleast with in about 15 minutes have another protien/carbohydrate meal. Here is where you want a shake, with Whey protien and High GI carbs(sugars like gaterade powder) to help feed your muscles, so to speak.

Here are some articles about Post work out nutrition, but I believe that Pre workout nutrition is much more critical. But many of the same things can be applied.

http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/...n/puzzle_1.htm

http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/...n/puzzle_2.htm

Best of Luck.

[CtA318]

Yes and No.

The best time to workout is the time your more likely to do it (I think Mahler pointed this out cant remember though).

There are some studies that show waiting for the central nervious system to get started you have better lifts but I think the bonuses are minimal and it doesnt really mater that much.


No

You should drink a shake containing protein and high glycemic index carbohydrates like maltrodextrin, dextrose, or gatorade before you hit the gym no mater what time of day it is. During the workout you should be drinking a similar shake and right after the workout another.

EDIT: Beat me to it Faraz421.

[emartin10]

The best time of day to workout is when you can CONSISTENTLY get to the gym. However it fits into your schedule.

It's MUCH better to have some fuel in you before, during, and after a workout. A lot of folks will suggest making a pre and post workout shake. I drink my pre workout shake on the way to the gym, so I know I will have ample fuel during my workout. Then immediately afterwards, I take my post workout shake. I would never workout on an empty stomach.

Edit: You BOTH beat me to it.