what to eat before and after cardio?

[j407]

im doing max ot right now and on monday im gonna start max ot cardio. but i dont know what to eat before hand. i lift in the early morning so i will do the cardio around 6/6:30 in the evening. i normaly eat dinner around 7:00. but will that be to much after cardio. i mean i dont wanna eat dinner to late. back to the other question what to eat before doing it and how long after eating should i do cardio. and how long after cardio should i eat?....................ive made this post sound confusing lol

[j407]

just realized i posted this in the wrong area sorry

[Suareezay]

if your schedule permits, id do my cardio in the morning on an empty stomach after downing a whey shake, glutamine, and BCAA's....then follow with a real food meal with lean protein and a low GI carb like oatmeal, brown rice or a sweet potato.

If you cant change it, then make sure you eat a meal or shake low in carbs about an hour before the cardio....you want to burn fat not carbs. Then follow with lean protein, some veggies, and maybe some fish oil

This is just a general idea....the details depend on the rest of your diet and goals.

[abarlament]

Max-OT cardio is a interval style right? For 16 mins or so? I don't think waiting until 7 to have dinner is going to make much of a difference at all.

[j407]

should i eat right after cardio or wait a little while??

[Rats!]

If you do HIIT cardio, you shouldn't eat immediately after, so your body keeps burning only fat. I usually eat about an hour after I get back.

[Suareezay]

you can have a protein shake afte HIT. Your body isnt going to burn it, your muscles will most likely need it.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Rats!

If you do HIIT cardio, you shouldn't eat immediately after, so your body keeps burning only fat. I usually eat about an hour after I get back.

If you do HIT cardio (Max OT cardio, etc.) then YES, you SHOULD eat right after you finish your sessions...whoever told you that you are going to burn more fat if you wait to eat needs their brain examined. The mere fact that you were doing HIT cardio is reason enough to replenish your body (and muscles) with quality nutrients (protein, simple carbs, and whatever supplements you take). Your body has been working hard, been put under stress, and the last thing it needs is starvation for any period of time after a good cardio session. Can we "catabolic state"? ...because that is what your body goes into after every intense cardio or workout session. Feed it ASAP...each and EVERY time you workout, whether it be cardio or weights!

[j407]

it seems like eating simple carbs at 6:30 at night is a good way to get fat. maybe im completly wrong. i realy dont now. but i always heard not to eat any kinda sugar that late in the afternoon. if i did eat simple carbs after the cardio. what kinda pro/carb ratio whould be best? and whould dextrose be ok to use. i was just going to eat what i normaly ate for dinner after the cardio which is some kinda lean protein (chicken,lean beef,tuna) and veggies like anything green. i will take creatine after as well.

im trying to lose a little bodyfat and continue gaining muscle. im pretty thin so i think two cardio sessions per week is all i will do. another question is how long (weeks) does it take for cardio to start to kick in?

[Todd]

I would not eat simple carbs at anytime, if there is not a reason to be eating them, because yes, they will do nothing for you except make you fat, if you are not taking them at the right times. The right times to take simple carbs is right after a workout or intense cardio session. Your body will put them to good use, and your insulin levels will be triggered, and your carb stores will begin to replenish. This is what you want at this time, so don't worry about what time of the day/evening it is....if you workout or do an intense cardio session..even if it's 11pm at night, then it is ok to take simple carbs...your body will use them in a positive way.

Your body will begin receiving the positive benefits of doing cardio right away. Now, seeing fat loss begin to happen may take a week or so to show up on the scale, but you should aim to lose no more than 1-1 1/2 pounds of bodyweight per week...if you begin losing anymore than this, you will be losing lean muscle mass along with your fat, and this is counterproductive to what you are trying to achieve.

[j407]

thanx alot for the post's guys they have all been very helpfull. i think i understand what to do now. the help was appreciated