When To Eat

When to Eat?


Q: Is it better to eat a meal before or after a workout? Why?

A: Both. Here's what I like to do: have my breakfast at 9 a.m., work out from 10:30 to 12, and eat by 1 p.m. Here's why:

Back in the old days, people thought they should train on an empty stomach in order to burn more fat, but that has turned out to be FALSE. In fact, your body needs some glucose (blood sugar) for fuel in addition to what it can use from fat stores when you're working out. If you don't have any blood sugar available, your body will eat the muscles' glycogen, or stored glucose it. Low blood sugar will also make you tired and sluggish during your training session. For these reasons, I suggest you eat something 45 minutes to an hour before training — you'll have more energy and endurance to work harder, burn more calories, and improve your muscle tone.

After training, during a period known as the golden hour (45 to 60 minutes after a workout), muscles absorb the most nutrients, and glycogen is replaced the most efficiently. You don't have to have a huge meal — just a little something that contains both protein and carbs will give the best results.

Throw Out Your Junk Food

That's right — go through your kitchen and get rid of all the junk food and processed garbage immediately. Why? Because you can't eat it if it's not there! And don't go out and buy more of that stuff, either. Just eliminate it from your kitchen entirely. Even if you have to put up with a little whining from the kids or your spouse or whomever, just remember, you're not the only one who's going to be better off not eating that crap. Reacquaint yourself with the local supermarket; find the healthy sections, and try to avoid the snack food, junk food, and ice cream aisles. Avoid any foods that make you feel powerless.