Morning lifter: Quick pre-workout food ???

[Lynch]

Newbie here trying to REALLY get in shape this time ! I'm 36, 6'2, 175- I'm a house-painter, very active all day. I'm up by 5:30 and start working out in my basement about an hour later. Now I just have 2 cups of coffee and workout for less than an hour. After my shower, I'll have a protein drink (mixed w/ water) I know I should probably have a quick something before my workout, but WHAT and HOW LONG before I start working out ?? I REALLY want to add some mass this year as I've been this weight my whole life (fast metabolism, because I eat a lot and not so healthy all the time) Aftrer reading posts on this forum all day yesterday, I know I MUST eat lots of good protein all day long.
Any suggestions for quick pre and post workout meals ? Do I even need a pre-workout snack- I'm always wide awake by the time I start working out ? Thanks a lot guys- will definately be back with more posts !!

[Awais_uk]

try and have at least one meal before working out, something like a flapjack or an oatmeal bar should do it, throw a banana in if you can, and after a workout you cant get quicker than a protein shake

[Lynch]

Immediately after my workout, I'll take creatine with grape juice. Then after my shower, the protein drink. Then I'll have something quick to eat and that's usually oatmeal- (I will start eating egg whites too). I don't want to have oatmeal before my workout too, but I'll look into the oatmeal bars. How long before I workout is the most beneficial to eat something ?

[Ironman1]

ok bro not a good idea to eat something big b4 u workout.
Also dont want to have a sugary drink as this will send ure blood sugar and insulin levels up and down during training.
If energy levels are good on an empty stomach then go for it and eat all day after that.
If you really want to eat b4 training I would have a lil something about 40mins b4 but as its so early might not be possible. It may be worth sipping on a carb drink during training. Best way for you to know what works for you is experiment untill you like what u find. Bodybuilding is a very individual game and what works for me may not work for you.

hope this helps

IM

[aikurushii]

sry to say but ironman's post was wrong.

You do wanna eat something before workout.. Mostly carbs and protein and some fats. I eat about a cup raw oatmeal, 1/2 can tuna, 1 glass skim milk, and 2 fish oils. Then I'd wait about 1 1/2 hours before working out. Then 30 min after workout I'd repeat the same meal I had.

It's not just protein u need but everything.. You need enough carbs for energy, protein to build muscle (along with other things), and fats to function normally.

[TRAZ]

I agree with Aik...you have got to have adequate nutrition prior to lifting to ward off catabolism. If you aren't supplying your muscles with amino acids you are running the risk of your muscles breaking down too much...


BTW I love the new avatar Aikurushii....she is amazing...