Eating before working out

[girlrunning]

I am on day 8 of induction and I am having a hard time finding a balance of calorie intake before working out.

I can't eat a heavy protein/fat meal at least 2 hours before working out, it makes me feel sick with nausea. Usually, I try to keep it to 3 hours before working out to stay safe. So like meat or eggs during that time is a big no-no for me.

So I have been working out feeling kind of hungry. Which is really bad, I know. So today I tried eating some pumpkin and a cup of salad 1 hour before working out, and I was so hungry I could only do 40 minutes on the bike at a pretty low heart rate (about 132 BPM), I only did like 10.5 miles. I couldn't stick it through to do my resistance exercise. Which, duh, makes sense, because it is only like 40 calories, plus the olive oil butter I put in, and then maybe 10 for the salad for a grand total of maybe 80 calories. This was at like 2:00 and I had also eaten about 6 eggs in the morning and 0.5 ounces of cheese.

I am seriously contemplating using the Atkins food before working out so I have enough energy to making it through my workout. But I want to avoid it if possible.

Suggestions please? Good foods to eat that are easy on the stomach? I'd love a whey or soy protein powder type of thing with fat in it, I could drink that after aerobic stuff to make it through weights.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Hi there! I'm going through the same thing. I pretty much force myself to eat. I have to. Pumpkin isn't on the list of induction legal foods so you may want to put that away until OWL. I just ate a grilled NY strip steak and cauliflower (butter and salt added). I feel as though if I get protein and fat into my body before a grueling workout I'm not abusing my body. I go to bootcamp for 1 hour and it's intense. The only suggestion I have is that you have no other option than to eat. I'm not positive but I don't think whey and soy protein powder are induction safe either.

Have a great workout!

[Elizellen]

Actually pumpkin IS on the induction list - you can have up to one cup of it (measured raw before cooking) if you like

But you are right about the powders - unless they are protein isolate powders they are not 'legal' till the relevant OWL rung - rung 2 for the whey protein and rung 6 for soy.

I didnt start weights or working out till late in my Atkins journey so was at a fairly high OWL rung/carb level by the time I joined a gym, so cant advise on what or when to eat before a workout but find I dont really need to eat anything before going to the gym at about 7 pm three evenings a week.

I take an ounce of unsalted almonds with me in case I feel I need them but often dont eat them. But I do have a 'proper' meal at lunchtime which keeps me going throughout the day.

You might find that posting your question in the Exercise forum will get more knowledgeable responses than mine.

[girlrunning]

It was a soy protein isolate, BTW. Thanks for the heads up on the whey protein isolate, although I think I'd question the logic behind that, given that butter and cheese are allowed on induction. And if you eat cheddar or swiss cheese, that is manufactured with whey.

[losetocruise]

I just started jazzercise this week and don't like to eat a heavy meal beforehand. I usually have a Muffin in a minute from the recipe thread if I am going in the morning along with my water and a cup of tea. if it is afternoon I add a salad. Those muffin in a minutes are great and they are right on target for the suggested Fat/protein/carb rations. Plus fiber and not heavy enough to sit like a lump while excercising. i have had tons of energy doing it this way so maybe it would work for you.

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by girlrunning

It was a soy protein isolate, BTW. Thanks for the heads up on the whey protein isolate, although I think I'd question the logic behind that, given that butter and cheese are allowed on induction. And if you eat cheddar or swiss cheese, that is manufactured with whey.

I agree it is confusing particularly to a science challenged person like me
I think it is to do with what processes the ingredients go through.