Protein before cardio after Weights?

[GuybrushThreepwod]

Quick question.
After I am done lifting weights, should I consume a protein shake before I do my light cardio or should I wait 'till I am completely done with all exercise to eat? Or am I trying too hard... Thanks guys!

*also, I'm on a cutting diet

[jamyjamjr]

matters to yoru goals..

if your cutting after cardio, if not after weights..

[GuybrushThreepwod]

Exactly what I needed! Thanks!

[MuscleScience]

After cardio, you dont want all that stuff sitting you your gut not being absorbed. During exercise the digestive system can be shut down to about 20% of its overall functional capacity. Of course this is dependent on intensity of exercise and the effects of blood shunting away from the gut.

[jamyjamjr]

^^ solid advice as always MS

[GuybrushThreepwod]

So is there any sort of need to refuel mid-workout? BCAAs or some other vitamins?

[jamyjamjr]

matters to the intensity and length of your workout
and, again, your goals..

[GuybrushThreepwod]

In my case, I'm on a cutting diet doing 30-60 min medium/high intensity cardio first thing in the morning, then around 5pm, 60-75 min weight lifting (medium/high intensity), followed by 20-30 min cardio(low intensity with short bursts of high).

Diet is not as cut and dry as I thought it was!

[MuscleScience]

In my case, I'm on a cutting diet doing 30-60 min medium/high intensity cardio first thing in the morning, then around 5pm, 60-75 min weight lifting (medium/high intensity), followed by 20-30 min cardio(low intensity with short bursts of high).

Diet is not as cut and dry as I thought it was!

I would say wait until after your cardio session. Insulin and adrenaline have a inhibitory effect on each other. Insulin stores fat, and promotes uptake of other nutrients. While Adrenaline increase metabolic rate, and causes the release of fatty acids from fat cells to be used as fuel for the body. When one is higher than the other each shuts down the others pathways directly thus causing them to lose effect. This is of course dependent on the amount of each hormone relative to the other. When you eat even some proteins, Insulin is spiked and will slow or halt all together the effects of adrenaline. There is the reverse effect on adrenaline to insulin. So if cutting is your goal save the post workout meal until after you have done cardio.

[Twist]

I take 20-40g protein (no carbs) and bcaa before cardio. If I don't I lose too fast (probably muscle). I also do about an hour of cardio though

[GuybrushThreepwod]

I would say wait until after your cardio session. Insulin and adrenaline have a inhibitory effect on each other. Insulin stores fat, and promotes uptake of other nutrients. While Adrenaline increase metabolic rate, and causes the release of fatty acids from fat cells to be used as fuel for the body. When one is higher than the other each shuts down the others pathways directly thus causing them to lose effect. This is of course dependent on the amount of each hormone relative to the other. When you eat even some proteins, Insulin is spiked and will slow or halt all together the effects of adrenaline. There is the reverse effect on adrenaline to insulin. So if cutting is your goal save the post workout meal until after you have done cardio.

More great info! I will definitely wait until the end.

This brings up the issue of a pre workout meal. I usually will have 1 scoop whey before I hit the weights. Is this best left for a bulking diet or is it still a good idea to eat before I start lifting even though I am cutting?

(also, my previous post was referring to mid-workout supplements like BCAAs or vitamins...)

[MuscleScience]

More great info! I will definitely wait until the end.

This brings up the issue of a pre workout meal. I usually will have 1 scoop whey before I hit the weights. Is this best left for a bulking diet or is it still a good idea to eat before I start lifting even though I am cutting?

(also, my previous post was referring to mid-workout supplements like BCAAs or vitamins...)

For athletes a meal 30-60 minutes before competition is recommended. There is also lots of research that points out the potential muscle spearing effects of taking at least a small amount of protein (20g) 30 minutes before a workout. As Jamy said its really a matter of what your goals are. I honestly think that maybe 30g of carbs is really all you need for enough energy for a workout. Something like a banana is probably good enough. I would revert that to some of the more seasoned body builders on the site for their input.