What to do when...?
Hi All -
I am approaching 2 years post op and have been spotty with my exercise in that time. I am newly committed and need input on how to maximize my results. I have learned that I will need to do both my video/resistance work and cardio on the same days; not alternate days unfortunately.
So, I'm wondering if my beliefs about the best approach are correct in your (collective) experience. Namely...:
1) It's best to do weight/resistance work before cardio (not vice versa)
2) It's best to have a light meal/snack 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to doing the weight/resistance work
If the above assumptions are correct, how much time should I wait between workouts? Can they be done consecutively? Do I need to eat or drink a shake between the weight and cardio work?
Any other bits of advice? I am amazed at all of you and your conversion to complete atheletes! Here's hoping it will stick for me this time. Thanks for your help!
I am approaching 2 years post op and have been spotty with my exercise in that time. I am newly committed and need input on how to maximize my results. I have learned that I will need to do both my video/resistance work and cardio on the same days; not alternate days unfortunately.
So, I'm wondering if my beliefs about the best approach are correct in your (collective) experience. Namely...:
1) It's best to do weight/resistance work before cardio (not vice versa)
2) It's best to have a light meal/snack 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to doing the weight/resistance work
If the above assumptions are correct, how much time should I wait between workouts? Can they be done consecutively? Do I need to eat or drink a shake between the weight and cardio work?
Any other bits of advice? I am amazed at all of you and your conversion to complete atheletes! Here's hoping it will stick for me this time. Thanks for your help!
S.xo
HW: 296/SW:275/TW:174/GW:135
HW: 296/SW:275/TW:174/GW:135
I think you are going to find different answers to this some of it may be based on data, but a lot of it is going to be based on personal experience.
I prefer to do my weights then cardio. This is just personal because I hate getting all sweaty as I'm inclined to do in a cardio workout, then go lay down on a bench in or piece of resistance equipment and lift weights. I end up spending more time cleaning the weight equipment for the next person than I do using it.
If you can't alternate days, I would suggest trying to alternate muscle groups so you aren't doubling up on those. You might find it hard to get in a good run after a day of leg or lowe body workouts.
I like to eat an hour or so before any workout, it gives it time to get out of the pouch and make sure i'm not going to have any issues with it.
However on the early mornings, I don't usually have time for that, so I make sure to bring something to the gym with me like a muscle milk or other pre-mixed protein shake and a banana or something like that, which I eat when my workout is finished.
Generally if you are getting in the calories you need, you won't find a need to eat for anything that last less than an hour. Your body should have enough stores to take you through an hour workout. After that hour, then you will probably want to consider taking in some calories.
If you are eating during your workout, I recommend a liquid form, that way it won't sit like a rock in your stomach. You can also take small sips of it during your run/bike/elliptical or whatever cardio workout you are doing.
But these are just my preferences.
You will probably have to experiment with peoples suggestions, trial and error. Before you do try a food before/during a workout I suggest you try any new food at home to make sure it doesn't upset you. It's a terrible thing to find yourself out on a run or bike ride and have stomach/G.I. issues.
I prefer to do my weights then cardio. This is just personal because I hate getting all sweaty as I'm inclined to do in a cardio workout, then go lay down on a bench in or piece of resistance equipment and lift weights. I end up spending more time cleaning the weight equipment for the next person than I do using it.
If you can't alternate days, I would suggest trying to alternate muscle groups so you aren't doubling up on those. You might find it hard to get in a good run after a day of leg or lowe body workouts.
I like to eat an hour or so before any workout, it gives it time to get out of the pouch and make sure i'm not going to have any issues with it.
However on the early mornings, I don't usually have time for that, so I make sure to bring something to the gym with me like a muscle milk or other pre-mixed protein shake and a banana or something like that, which I eat when my workout is finished.
Generally if you are getting in the calories you need, you won't find a need to eat for anything that last less than an hour. Your body should have enough stores to take you through an hour workout. After that hour, then you will probably want to consider taking in some calories.
If you are eating during your workout, I recommend a liquid form, that way it won't sit like a rock in your stomach. You can also take small sips of it during your run/bike/elliptical or whatever cardio workout you are doing.
But these are just my preferences.
You will probably have to experiment with peoples suggestions, trial and error. Before you do try a food before/during a workout I suggest you try any new food at home to make sure it doesn't upset you. It's a terrible thing to find yourself out on a run or bike ride and have stomach/G.I. issues.
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
When it comes to weights before cardio or vice versa, people will adamantly defending doing it in one order or another but the science isn't clear. So just do what works for you. For me, my trainer had me do a short warm-up on the treadmill (5-10 min) before strength training. And my Crossfit coach does something similar. It seems to work though sometimes I skip the warm-up and am fine as well.
The eating thing is also personal in that different types of foods and different amounts and timeframes work for different people. OTOH, you really don't want to be regularly exercising on fumes. So I recommend eating something 30 min to 2 hours before a workout so you don't start working out on an empty stomach. The only exception to that might be doing a short workout early in the morning before breakfast. Not everyone can stomach calories first thing in the morning and do okay if the workout is short.
The eating thing is also personal in that different types of foods and different amounts and timeframes work for different people. OTOH, you really don't want to be regularly exercising on fumes. So I recommend eating something 30 min to 2 hours before a workout so you don't start working out on an empty stomach. The only exception to that might be doing a short workout early in the morning before breakfast. Not everyone can stomach calories first thing in the morning and do okay if the workout is short.
HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
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Really--JUST. DO. IT.
Who cares when......just find what you like to do and do it. As often as you can. (You should follow the advice about giving recovery time for the muscles you work with weights.....)
Committing to becoming more active is the best thing you can do. The only way I've found to do it long term (and I've now been very active for a full 3 years!) is to find activities I really enjoy. Then I can't wait to do it and feel bad when I don't.
As far as eating, I sometimes run on an empty stomach in the morning, but most of the time I have a light snack of a few crackers and hard cheese about 20-30 mins before.
Best to you and have fun!!
Kim
Who cares when......just find what you like to do and do it. As often as you can. (You should follow the advice about giving recovery time for the muscles you work with weights.....)
Committing to becoming more active is the best thing you can do. The only way I've found to do it long term (and I've now been very active for a full 3 years!) is to find activities I really enjoy. Then I can't wait to do it and feel bad when I don't.
As far as eating, I sometimes run on an empty stomach in the morning, but most of the time I have a light snack of a few crackers and hard cheese about 20-30 mins before.
Best to you and have fun!!
Kim
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