During the first semester of this school year, I will have morning lifting that I have to wake up for around 5:45. After which, I will have to go to class, so I need to be able to lift and keep rolling. I am contemplating getting Brain Candy to help me focus during lectures and doing homework, but Im not sure how to integrate it into pre-workout
So what I’m looking for in a preworkout:
Some sort of breakfast.
Some sort of stim to get amped for my workout.
Something to keep me from crashing after lifting.
Logic behind each component:
Need something in the stomach to keep me from getting catabolic.
I average 5 hours of sleep, last year having multiple lifts on 2 hours of sleep. Not my brightest ideas, but I had to be there.
Cuz school is important.
Last year, I would eat a Finibar, sometimes include a Spike if I was particularly tired, then a protein shake afterwards. Brain Candy gives me a consistent buzz of focus as opposed to Spike getting me alert and ready to go.
a) drink tons of alcohol
b) party
c) have sex with random women, men, and/or goats
d) eat food that didn’t come from a drive thru
e) sleep on a bed that doesn’t have barf and piss in it
If you can keep those things to a minimum, you probably don’t need anything special as you will give your body what it needs to take care of shit on it’s own.
[quote]PeacemakerPA wrote:
During the first semester of this school year, I will have morning lifting that I have to wake up for around 5:45. After which, I will have to go to class, so I need to be able to lift and keep rolling.[/quote]
Figuring you’re using the on-campus gym, is there any way to just train any other time of the day when you wouldn’t be so rushed?
Why wouldn’t this still be applicable? Something like a Finibar ASAP after waking, a Spike on the way to the gym, and the protein shake during training instead of after? Also, I sometimes toss a Spike right into my MAG-10 in the mornings and/or pre-workout, but I don’t think that’d work with another kind of protein.
Or actually, since you’re trying to include Brain Candy instead, you could Brain Candy immediately after waking, Finibar a half-hour or so after (even if that’s right before the gym, it sits light enough in most people’s stomachs that it shouldn’t be a problem), and protein shake during/after training.
Figuring you’re using the on-campus gym, is there any way to just train any other time of the day when you wouldn’t be so rushed?
Why wouldn’t this still be applicable? Something like a Finibar ASAP after waking, a Spike on the way to the gym, and the protein shake during training instead of after? Also, I sometimes toss a Spike right into my MAG-10 in the mornings and/or pre-workout, but I don’t think that’d work with another kind of protein.
Or actually, since you’re trying to include Brain Candy instead, you could Brain Candy immediately after waking, Finibar a half-hour or so after (even if that’s right before the gym, it sits light enough in most people’s stomachs that it shouldn’t be a problem), and protein shake during/after training.[/quote]
I realized after I hit submit that I didn’t clarify a couple things:
I have to lift in the morning for baseball. Its technically non-mandatory, but everyone goes so it looks bad to be the only guy missing. Theres not really any sort of rush from lifting to class. Plenty of time to shower and everything, just often not enough time to squeeze in a nap.
The reason I was looking at switching it up was because last year I struggled with staying awake during class. The reason I like lifting with stims is primarily because they usually keep me from crashing after lifting, along with providing benefits to the actual session. Taking stims after lifting usually did not “pick-me-up” if I had a postworkout crash. I would just take jack3d but DMAA is illegal by the NCAA. Realistically, I could probably take it and never be caught because stims clear the system quickly and drug testing is infrequent for baseball, but I would rather not deal with it.
I was also curious how Brain Candy would work with lifting. I have only tried it when I got a 4-pack and i didnt lift any of those days. Wasnt sure if I would still take it when I wake up or take it postworkout
Also, Finibar seemed advertised as somehow hydrating the muscles so I didn;t know if I need a lot of water with it. When I first started trying them last year, I would drink a bottle of water with my Finibar, then have my Spike. After puking Day 2, I decided to cut out the water.
[quote]PeacemakerPA wrote:
During the first semester of this school year, I will have morning lifting that I have to wake up for around 5:45. After which, I will have to go to class, so I need to be able to lift and keep rolling. I am contemplating getting Brain Candy to help me focus during lectures and doing homework, but Im not sure how to integrate it into pre-workout
So what I’m looking for in a preworkout:
Some sort of breakfast.
Some sort of stim to get amped for my workout.
Something to keep me from crashing after lifting.
Logic behind each component:
Need something in the stomach to keep me from getting catabolic.
I average 5 hours of sleep, last year having multiple lifts on 2 hours of sleep. Not my brightest ideas, but I had to be there.
Cuz school is important.
Last year, I would eat a Finibar, sometimes include a Spike if I was particularly tired, then a protein shake afterwards. Brain Candy gives me a consistent buzz of focus as opposed to Spike getting me alert and ready to go.[/quote]
I work out at 5am and after trying everything, I personally think the best option is either 1-2 finibars or 1 finibar with a coconut water. That gives me enough energy to get through an hour and a half workout including prowler work. I like having a lot of water with it, but maybe not everyone can handle it. I don’t know what it is about the coconut water, but every time I have one, I have a great workout and tons of energy. But the problem is that it’s actually more expensive than a second finibar. IF you buy the 4 pack case, the finibars are only like $1.46 each. You really can’t beat that. I’ve tried eating oatmeal with some protein and nut butter, but I like the convenience of eating them in the car. If I want extra energy, I usually drink a Red Bull or something.
[quote]PeacemakerPA wrote:
During the first semester of this school year, I will have morning lifting that I have to wake up for around 5:45. After which, I will have to go to class, so I need to be able to lift and keep rolling. I am contemplating getting Brain Candy to help me focus during lectures and doing homework, but Im not sure how to integrate it into pre-workout
So what I’m looking for in a preworkout:
Some sort of breakfast.
Some sort of stim to get amped for my workout.
Something to keep me from crashing after lifting.
Logic behind each component:
Need something in the stomach to keep me from getting catabolic.
I average 5 hours of sleep, last year having multiple lifts on 2 hours of sleep. Not my brightest ideas, but I had to be there.
Cuz school is important.
Last year, I would eat a Finibar, sometimes include a Spike if I was particularly tired, then a protein shake afterwards. Brain Candy gives me a consistent buzz of focus as opposed to Spike getting me alert and ready to go.[/quote]
I work out at 5am and after trying everything, I personally think the best option is either 1-2 finibars or 1 finibar with a coconut water. That gives me enough energy to get through an hour and a half workout including prowler work. I like having a lot of water with it, but maybe not everyone can handle it. I don’t know what it is about the coconut water, but every time I have one, I have a great workout and tons of energy. But the problem is that it’s actually more expensive than a second finibar. IF you buy the 4 pack case, the finibars are only like $1.46 each. You really can’t beat that. I’ve tried eating oatmeal with some protein and nut butter, but I like the convenience of eating them in the car. If I want extra energy, I usually drink a Red Bull or something.
[quote]PeacemakerPA wrote:
I was also curious how Brain Candy would work with lifting. I have only tried it when I got a 4-pack and i didnt lift any of those days. Wasnt sure if I would still take it when I wake up or take it postworkout[/quote]
I’d say that the majority of people on Brain Candy take it, as directed, on days they also lift and seem to love the effects all around, so you should be fine. Take the Brain Candy as recommended, first thing in the AM on an empty stomach I believe, and you’re good to go.
Geez, yeah if that’s how you know your system handles extra water with Finibars, do what you need to to feel and perform well. But I’m pretty sure Finibar was tested on competitive cyclists who would eat the bars on-the-go while riding, so they it’s not that they really need a ton of extra water consumed with the bars, it’s more that the particular carbs and extras in the bar help the body stay better hydrated. But definitely go by what you know your body can handle.
Again though, you might find it better/easier to have a protein and carb shake during training instead of trying to schedule the empty-stomach Brain Candy, pre-workout Finibar, and post-workout shake.