Is it ok not to have any after workout nutrition immediately after workout?

[dreuxscott1]

I like to do at least 30 min of cardio after my workout...i have heard that you need to get your protein and carbs in at least 30 min after you workout...sucks cus i live like 15 min from the gym...so if i do cardio then drive home thats at least 45 min after my workout before i get anything in my body...so what is the longest time you can go after workout before getting any protein or carbs??

[MuscleScience]

From a few studies I have read, you are good within a two hour window after a workout.

[BIGMAC250]

i dont know the answer to that but why dont you just bring something to the gym with you

[kaberle_15]

The important thing is to eat like you should be for the 24 hours until your next workout, not the 30 min after.

[dreuxscott1]

well right now im out of my whey protein so i just rely on all meals and no liquids..so i wait to get home to get anything in my body...so its really not that big of a deal as long as it not over lets say an hour after you workout???

[FortKnox36]

You are most anabolic 15 minutes after your workout. It is very ideal to get in 50g of protein and some good sugars in within 15-30 min after your workout. Your muscles are saying "aaaahhhhh my glycogen levels are so low!! GIVE ME PROTEIN!! AAAHHHH I hurt, I need to be REPAIRED!!!"

They scream while your working out and right after, so listen to them!! Give them the necessary nutrients.

So here is what I would suggest. Either workout every other day and do cardio every other day that you are not weight training...or....bring some protein in a shaker bottle and bring a banana. Drink and eat then wait 15 min after u do so. Then start your cardio. Hope this helps.

C

[smokeyd]

think eating bananna and drinking a protein shake right before cardio would be a no no wouldnt it???

[teufelhundenjwa]

I would forgo the banana and make sure the protein shake is low carb. Your workout should have depleted your glycogen stores, thus burning fat during your cardio. Save the banana for after your workout/cardio routine.

[MFT81]

I would forgo the banana and make sure the protein shake is low carb. Your workout should have depleted your glycogen stores, thus burning fat during your cardio. Save the banana for after your workout/cardio routine.

+ 1, the last thing you'd want to do is spike your insulin while doing cardio to burn fat.......

I dont think I would even drink a shake because large amounts of quick digesting protein can also impact insulin as well too.....

id just follow what M.Science said and not freak about about the "30 min" window.

IMO if your nutrition is up to par you should be taking in some form of protein before your workout as well, I like to eat a combo of whey and cottage cheese so I get a fast and slow source of pro throughout my workout.

[bmit]

I take 22 grams whey after weights, then bang out 25-30 min cardio and have about 60g carbs and antother 22 grams protein. eat whole meal one to 1.5 hours later. either way just get something in you within a reasonable time period

[Ronnie Rowland]

When cutting down you can wait an hour or so and just eat a normal meal without whey or fast acting carbs.

When bulking I feel it's best to take in some form of fast acting protein and carbs 15-30 minutes post training.

That said, I have trained several people who did no post workout nutrition or added a ton of fats right after training during a bulk and got huge. In all honesty, genetics always have the say so in the end. Don't get too hung up on the little stuff and do the best you can with the time you have.

[pump.joe]

Just bring a protein shake with you. I mix water, whey, and dextrose and take it to the gym with me. If you need to hit cardio after your workout then I would drink some or all of the shake before the cardio, or better yet do the cardio at a different time.

[Phate]

Just bring a protein shake with you. I mix water, whey, and dextrose and take it to the gym with me. If you need to hit cardio after your workout then I would drink some or all of the shake before the cardio, or better yet do the cardio at a different time.

you drink dextrose before doing cardio, that completely defeats the purpose, the idea behind doing cardio on an empty stomach and after working out is that your glycogen stores are going to be lower so your body will burn fat as it's main energy source(67% vs. 50% in one study)

drinking dextrose before cardio is the equivalent of downing straight sugar and your body will burn it instead of fat

[pump.joe]

you drink dextrose before doing cardio, that completely defeats the purpose, the idea behind doing cardio on an empty stomach and after working out is that your glycogen stores are going to be lower so your body will burn fat as it's main energy source(67% vs. 50% in one study)

drinking dextrose before cardio is the equivalent of downing straight sugar and your body will burn it instead of fat

No, I never do cardio after a workout. Your line of reasoning makes sense. However, I still say that cardio should be done at a different time (like first thing in the morning) so you can get that PWO in you right after weight training. Of course, this is for someone whose primary goal is to gain mass.

[GPS226]

usually I am pretty anal about getting quick protein and high g.i. carbs after workout but lately I've been kind of messing around with the idea of constantly changing it up to keep my body guessing...just a theory with no evidence to back it up..change and shock when incorporated into training can promote growth, how about change and shock in nutrition?.. i.e. cheat meals..i've skipped postworkout nutrition here and there lately..and sometimes i consume copious amounts of fats/protein, etc...all different kinds of sh!t..sometimes experimenting around and not taking it quite so seriously can be beneficial imho. that doesn't mean rationalizing a lack of discipline with this theory, but look at the big picture. if you're in this for life like most of us I would guess are, your bodybuilding career will be long. trial and error, see what works for u and have fun