How to fit cardio into my schedule

[DustinLati]

I normally dont do cardio, but im starting this week and need to find out when to do my cardio (16 minute HIT cardio) in relation to my meals. This is what my day looks like:

Wake up after 6 hours of sleep for an MRP
Go back to sleep for 2 more hours
Wake up and immediately eat a real food meal
2- 2.5 hours later i have a pre workout shake
Workout
Post workout shake
Real food meal
Real food meal
MRP.

I want to do cardio in the morning. Should I do it before my mid-sleep MRP and then hit the sack for another 2 hours, after my mid-sleep MRP then sleep for another 2 hours, or should I wait until i wake up the second time, do my cardio, and then have my whole food meal?

[Todd]

Doing cardio after your mid-sleep MRP and then going back to sleep would be too hard because your metabolism would be racing after doing all that. It is best to wake up, have your whole food meal and then do your cardio. And keep your cardio and weights separated by as much time as possible (8-12 would be best).

[DustinLati]

hmm, quick reply.

so your saying on days i do cardio i should wake up mid sleep, have my MRP, go back to sleep, wake up the 2nd time and have my whole food meal, then do cardio?
Do i need to supplement with anything after my cardio like a shake or something? Because that would throw my whole diet out of whack

[Todd]

Given the two choices you provided us with above, then yes, the second scenario is the best of the two, but below is what I would do, if I were you to make things optimal.

Here is the optimal situation in order to get the most from your cardio.

Pre-cardio meal - Whey protein shake (with added supps if you take any)
DO CARDIO
Post-cardio meal - Whey protein shake (with added supps if you take any)

That is the ideal nutrition situation for both pre and post cardio...this will create a stable environment both before, during and after your intense cardio sessions.

How is having a whey protein shake before and/or after your cardio sessions going to throw your whole diet out of whack? If anything, it will improve your results, and make the most of what you just did, as well as keep your system in an anabolic environment while at the same time replenishing your nutrient stores from the intense cardio you just performed.

Just a side note: Pre and post nutrition/supplementation is just as important when doing cardio as it is when doing weights.