Originally Posted by
gbrice75
...Is elevated following resistance training and continues to rise for the next 24 hours or so... and that's a rough estimate. Whether it's 22 hours or 26 hours, it sure as hell isn't 15-45 mins.
I don't want to beat a dead horse here, I've stated my opinion on this many times over the years, and it's been echoed in this thread by Base, Stem, etc. Doesn't it make sense that companies wanting to sell their latest and greatest 'super fast acting PWO supplement' would propagate a theory like this? Doesn't it also make sense that these "millions of pro bodybuilders" (are there really millions of pro's? News to me...) who are either sponsored or wanting to be sponsored would be in alignment with this? I personally know a few pro level guys who promote supplements that they absolutely don't stand behind in real life. Finally, doesn't it also stand to reason that this theory became HUGE because it's printed over and over again in bodybuilding magazines (which are owned by supplement companies), and every kid who picks up a bodybuilding mag follows exactly what it said (because media has never been known to lie or have an agenda or ulterior motive, right?) thinking he'll be the next Arnold? C'mon guys, wake up.
Studies on intermittent fasting (among others) have completely debunked this theory of a magical anabolic window. I have personally run IF diets where I not only worked out in a fasted state, but also delayed my PWO nutrition several hours PWO... and saw no negative impact whatsoever. Given the FACTS of increased protein synthesis several hours PWO (as opposed to immediately PWO), I can make the argument that a meal before bed (for a person who works out in the am) is more beneficial than one immediately PWO.
Having said all that, there is nothing wrong with eating immediately PWO. I still do it myself, out of convenience (and hunger) more than anything else. However, I will never again lose sleep if I miss a meal PWO... or any other time. Hit your macros.
I wish I would have seen this thread sooner! :)