Zero Energy About 1/2 Hour Into Workout...

Okay, so I'm about 3 1/2 months out now and I have been working out at the gym 5 days a week for about 10 weeks now (6 of those with a trainer). For the past 3 weeks I have noticed that I am so burned out about 30 minutes into my workout. I still press on but I have almost nothing left in me to do anything. Here is what I ate today and my somewhat normal routine: 8:00AM - 1/2 Wheat Bagel/Cream Cheese & 3 Slices Turkey Bacon 12:00PM - 1/2 Turkey Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread with cheese and a little mayo. 1:00PM - WORKOUT 2:30PM - 1/2 Bottle of Isopure (20g Protein) 3:00PM - The other 1/2 of Turkey Sandwich 5:00PM - 1 1/2C Watermelon 7:00PM - Dinner (usually chicken w/ veggies) Any thoughts here?

Nothing comes to mind other than:

1. Of course, if you're losing weight, your energy expended is greater than your energy taken in.

2. Make sure you warmup using some aerobic activity for at least 10 minutes and until you work up a sweat.

3. Protein does up your energy level, make sure you're getting enough. You might try some protein shake. In my opinion the protein/ energy delivery is much more rapid.

4. The dirty secret: A lot of people who are feeling good have a pretty high caffeine intake. I do about two pots a day.

hello my brother....glad to see you back...were you in the states for a visit... rumor had it you were being attacked by some gesheas, and had to go underground.... ok, on to the post...this is a tricky thing...Regular people in the gym fuel themselves with carbs to get through a rough work out... I personally do not have that option...so Like Dave...I hit the caffeine... Redline liquid also works good...but when it drops you...you have been dropped....kaaabooom congrats on a great work out....

Hi Russ,

Good to be back. I had to work (waahh!) hard and was getting ready for a half marathon in addition to all of my other bodily duties, so I couldn't do any posting anywere for over a month.

By the way, have you seen the research on carbs lately? People who get a lot of carbs at some point in the week don't seem to get rebound. The article that came out recently was low calorie with high carbs and half the days calories at breakfast with progressively smaller calorie and carb intake throughout the day. On the Natural Hormonal Enhancement diet, I'm allowed lots of carbs two days a week and prettylow carb (60-70 grams) the other days. I just continue to lose fat/ gain muscle.

There's another carb cycling diet too called "the Fat Burning Diet" that works on similar theories.

So it's probably best to plan out the carb intake. That is to have it in there somewhere, but in modest amounts. Like you, I don't like to have carbs pre-workout. I prefer protein and good fat.

Best Wishes,

Dave

Thanks for the tips on caffeine. Pre-op I used to drink about 3 cups of loose-leaf shanghai green tea. I might give that a shot tomorrow and see if there is any difference. I was told caffeine was a big no-no but we'll see. I don't dump on sugar so maybe caffeine won't affect me either.

Hey Brian... they way I understand it..they really want us to steer away from caffien for a while post surgery, because it is a stimulant, and is an irritant to the new incision...,but once you are out a ways...I was able to drink coffee without any bad effects....(but not bubbles....I will cry like a baby with any bubbles)

the guys were spot on and i would add a couple things here. i take b-12 everyday. watch caffeine though because it's an appetite stimulant too. so make sure you're getting B-12 AND you are getting far enough along on the weights to try creatine. that will give you big boost. with it you can either lift more or do more reps. now the bad part is you will gain 2 to 7 pounds of water. it's not retention but rather replacement. your muscle bodies will be water filled. you'll look bigger without the bloat. so try that after another three months of lifting. so 6 months out. you want to get past the beginner phase and really know how much you can lift. only then can you tell whether or not the creatine is a good idea. do what go to said too, load on carbs if you have to before the workout. later.