Post Workout Meals

My NUTs are recommending that I up my carb intake after my workouts. I have been eating carbs as minimally as possible (thanks to the recommendations on here) but they are saying I really need some now that I am working out. I don't consider myself a fitness fanatic in the least, but I have to say I have been hitting the gym pretty hard lately. I am very proud of myself! My body does feel tired and starved, which, hopefully equates to some nice weight loss, but I don't know if I can keep up this gym time without a little more energy. Help! 

I had a great nutritionist working me during my running days back a few years ago.  Odd that I have several half marathons, a 30K and the Paavo Nurmi Marathon under my belt and I still got up to 510 pounds.  She always told me to do a quality protein shake with mixed berries or mashed up 1/3 of a banana.  I think the combo should work well for you.  No need to go down the non-nutritious carb route.  TJ has a great bag of frozen mixed berries I used.  Also she wanted me to eat 5-10 almonds or walnuts pre-workout.  She was a big believer in you need fuel during and after the workout.

I have spent a lot of time on forums where people eat keto (very low carb) but want to seriously work out.  They all suggest to carb up before a work out (and only on work out days)  That way you have the extra energy when you need it. 

If you eat it after it is not going to help you in the gym and might slow/stall your weight loss.  

I plan to start running and hitting the gym again as soon as I am cleared.  I seriously miss it.

And GO YOU!!!

Possibly slowly increase your 'good carbs' and see how your body responds? Start with sweet potatoes or legumes and watch your energy level and scale. I avoid carbs as much as possible but will had those occasionally and see no negative effects on my body. And I am sure with all the 'good' nutrients they have my body is getting benefits from them. Small handful of Almonds before working out is usually all it takes for me to get the energy to put in a good workout!

I can't edit, so adding this for clairifcation.

Your body will preferencially burn carbs when working out.  So if you eat some carbs before a work out they will get burned up giving you the energy you might need.  

If you work out with no carbs in your system and low glycogen stores in your liver (which you should have if you are eating for a loss and for sure if you are low carb) then your body is forced to burn fat.  It can turn some of the protein you eat into energy too, but that is a biochemically much more complex process.  If you eat them after your body won't burn them as well and will likely up your glycogen stores again.

It's a trap. Don't fall for it. "Carbing up" for workouts, "eating back exercise calories," and so on. You're trying to burn fat and lose the weight. Don't eat more, especially not carbs. Be a little tired after working out. It won't hurt you.

Get the weight off as fast as you can. You do that by eating less, not more.

I used to be a very fit fat person. I ate carbs. 

now I am skinny fit person. Unless my BS crashes after workout - I don't eat carbs to "reload".  

i often exercise in the morning - just after my black coffee. 

When I started to run, I did not eat anything special.  I did drink 1/2 Premier Protein shake and maybe ate a few almonds.  Working out at the gym, I ate a couple of hard boiled eggs before and usually a yogurt when I was finished. Yogurt has a good combo of carbs (from milk) and protein.  I did not eat anything extra for workouts under 1 and 1/2 hours.

When I ride my bike on 500 mile week long rides, I add fruit and 1/2 peanut butter and jelly sandwich with my protein shake.  If I just eat a pb& J I will get the shakes.  I try to use milk, but I keep protein shakes in the car, and powder on long trips to supplement food.  On many organized bike trips, they provide ample carbs, but no protein.  

So, don't add many calories, unless you feel the rebound, where you want to pigout the next day.  That is how I have learned to add the minimal food that I need.  You will always be hungry after a workout.  You have to measure your food and not overeat.  One of the veterns mentioned how to add so many calories and then STOP eating. 

My personal trainer always recommended PROTEIN after a workout to help rebuild your muscles. I wouldn't go down the carb path!

There is ZERO reason to up carbs after a workout.  If anything, you should get protein into your body within 30 minutes of a workout.