I prefer to train in the early morning, before I get to work/school. I usually get up around 6:00 and i have to be on the bus by 6:30 to get to the gym before 7. Sometimes this is brutal, but once I get used to it, it’s fine.
The problem is I have a lot of trouble eating ‘big’ in the mornings before I lift. I usually don’t have any appetite before 7:30 or so, and when i force feed (either slamming down a protein shake or shoveling in eggs or something like that) I feel like crap, which screws up my workout.
Does anyone else experience this? would it be a bad idea to eat breakfast around 8:30 after I train? I just hit my short-term deadlift goal(40 lb PR last week!) and I’m looking to improve body-comp and conditioning over the next couple of months.
If they matter, I can provide specific details about training/diet /stats upon request.
Unless your on a calorie restricted diet your going to gain muscle from lifting weights. However if you want to MAXIMIZE muscle gain your best eating as soon after waking up as possible, to break the fast. It’s not a bad idea to eat after you train either, actually everybody knows you pretty much should.
Can you drink juice, eat fruit? If so water down your protein shake a little bit so it’s not so heavy, or even eat a banana. Then eat again at 8:30. You don’t need a ton of calories just enough to get your body back on the anabolic side of things.
Also, see which you tolerate better before training as the first meal - Protein + Carbs or Protein + Fat.
You could have a handfull of nuts & a protein shake, or fruits/raisins & a protein shake and see how you feel. Mix the shake with water rather than milk - trying to avoid foods which settle heavy on the stomach.
Alternatively, fruit with some BCAA’s would be my last resort.
Something is better than nothing. Even if it means just eating a muffin or something, it’s better than nothing.
I have the same problems. What I usually do is go with 2 pieces of raisin bread,(180 calories, 38 grams of carbs) and 40 grams of whey protein. It’s enough to last me the workout, but not so much that it makes me feel sick.