Lack of a post workout meal

Blacktie.

So I finally found a gym that opens late enough for me to consistently make it there to train. My only issue now will be when I'm there especially late I'll be going home and going straight to bed. On those days I'll be getting all my calories in before the workout. Will this hold me back to any significant degree if I just have a protein shake post workout and head to bed leaving 7ish hours till my first post workout meal?

Alf Veedersane

Shouldn't make a difference. Meals aren't digested straight away so you'll have enough in your system if you've eaten enough during the day. People better than me, eg Alan Aragorn, have said meal timing isn't important

Celly Smunt

In the same position myself, late workouts and starving after. I usually get home and throw a bit of porridge together or else a beef madallion on the pan with some pepper if im really starving.

Maybe just take a lighter lunch to allow for the meal at night.

Alf Veedersane

You don't need to have a meal after the workout.

Burkatron

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You don't need to have a meal after the workout.

You don't need to but it's far more optimal for recovery if you do! Even intermittent fasting guidelines recommend breaking the fast straight after training!

JJayoo

Can you not just bring a decent shake and have it directly after you gym?

Mellor

Burkatron wrote: »

You don't need to but it's far more optimal for recovery if you do! Even intermittent fasting guidelines recommend breaking the fast straight after training!

He isn't training fasted so its not the same situation. He'll have nutrients available for recovery.
Eating it immediately before the workout won't be significantly different then immediately after. During the work out very little of the meal will be digested. The part that that is will be available for use, where as eating after will have at least a little delay before its available. Intra-workout protein/calories could also be useful.
It's possible that eating before/during like that is no less optimal than eating immediately afterwards. It might even be better by a tiny margin.

Blacktie.

JJayoo wrote: »

Can you not just bring a decent shake and have it directly after you gym?

Decent idea alright. I may just do this. Protein shake with a pint of milk. No blender to cram peanut butter into it. Not sure how well peanut butter mixes otherwise.

I figured timing wasn't too important but thought since it was so far between working out and a decent source of calories it might be a bad idea. Wasn't considering the fact that it's not a fasted workout. Been looking at leangains too much lately.

thegreatiam

just eat normally during the day.

colman1212

Most important time to eat is around your training. Get a protein shake with some oats and a banana in post workout. Really simple and takes no time to prepare.

JJayoo

A few fish oil tablets or some coconut milk can add the healthy fats instead of the peanut butter.