Eating late after a workout

[Joanne]

On the odd day, I workout in the evenings (between 7:00-9:00pm). I usually try and eat before I go (b/w 5:30-6:00pm) but there are certain days when I don't eat dinner before heading to the gym and eat afterwards. I do this because I either ate lunch late and had a small snack afterwards so I'm not hungry for dinner. I go to the gym but by the time I get back, it's late (8:30-9:00pm) but I will have a yogurt and an egg white omelete and 1 slice of toast. I don't know whether to eat something like this after my workout especially at that time. It didn't sit too well the other night and I think I would have preferred to do without the omelete but I kept convincing myself that the protein would do me good. I know that it's best to eat before working out but sometimes I'm not hungry.

So, do you eat any meals/snacks after a workout in the evenings or just drink you're water and call it a night?

[trainerty]

IMO- Regardless at what time you wokout, you will still need a pre and post workout meal. Your dinner should be consumed before all this for late gym work. I think most will say a form of dextrose(simple sugar) and fast digesting protein will be needed. The final meal will probably serve you best if it is slow digesting protein and healthy fats.

Goodluck with your workout ordeal

[mesomorph]

Joanne, trainerty is essentially correct. I too train latermost days. It just requires a little forward planning. Make sure you eat during the day, make sure you have a pre workout shake/snack (one that satisfies nutritional needs and satiates any lingering hunger),make sure you have a post workout shake. Protein shakes also tend to dampen your hunger until you get home. Now this is the hard part, Joanne. You are not eating because you are hungry you are eating to help recover, assist adaptations, grow muscle and lose fat. This post w/o meal (however late) is vital. Therefore plan ahead and eat something that is more palatable to you. My fave is stir fry - quick,easy,protein,carbs etc

[minime]

Joanne I work out in the evenings most nights, and I always eat afterwards. Usually I have 600-800 calories postworkout (between the hours of 8.30 and 11pm -bedtime) It seems like a lot and i dont restrict carbs coz its late at night.. i have fruit, meat, veg, oats & peanutbutter usually. but I have not gained any weight from this practice so I would say don't worry about it!

As the others say post workout eating is essential : your body doesnt care that its late and almost bedtime, it needs nutrition to repair itself after your workout.

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by mesomorph

You are not eating because you are hungry you are eating to help recover, assist adaptations, grow muscle and lose fat. This post w/o meal (however late) is vital. Therefore plan ahead and eat something that is more palatable to you.

I couldn't have said it better!

[Joanne]

Thanks everyone for your comments. :

[LiftGirl]

If it's hard to stomach real food, you can go with a shake. As long as you're eating real food the rest of the day. I work out until about 10pm, and I have a maltodextrin/dextrose/whey shake before hopping in the shower.