After every single workout I am very hungry. Stomach growling hungry. I know it is important to eat something after a workout especially strength training, but I just dont know what to do with thim hunger. It wouldn't be a problem if I had a meal to eat afterwards, but I work out at night after I get off work at 11pm. At that time it is just not appropriate to eat a meal. Do any of you suffer from post workout starvation?!?! If so, what seems to do the trick for you?
Thanks,
Katie
Last edited by PastriestoPushups; 12-02-2010 at 02:08 AM.
Reason: Bad Choice of Color
There's no evidence that eating shortly before bedtime will affect how that food gets stored or used by your body. Unless you have another reason you don't want to eat too late at night (it can mess with acid reflux sufferers, for instance), don't be afraid to have a healthy post-workout snack just because of the clock.
I'm also ravenous after a workout. For me, saving up one of my snacks for post-workout noshing is crucial. An apple with a few slivers of sharp cheddar cheese is my favorite post-workout snack because I get a nice mix of carbs, fat, and protein in flavor-dense, compact form that won't make my stomach go "ugh" at having to digest stuff when I'm hot.
I personally think eating after a workout, if your body is giving you genuine hunger cues, is rather importnant. A good whey protein smoothie with some fresh fruit blended in is a great snack, as is cheese or even a chicken breast. I tend to feel the best with a solid, lean protein to digest that isn't too bulky.
Consider having a small snack and pre-load (before your workout) some fat, protein and carbs - handful of walnuts or almonds, 4 oz yogurt or cottage cheese, etc.
I'm always starved after my workouts too, especially after swimming, and I have talked to many others that say swimming really makes you hungry. I try and workout from 10 to 12 or so and then have lunch, so that is working for me. I'm surprised you can sleep after working out so late, I would be too "pumped up" to be able to.
I don't know how to help that. I am actually jealous of you. I have been overeating for so long, that I don't remember actual, physical hunger very well. I can't wait until I am in control of what I am eating enough to feel it. Sounds kind of sadistic, but it is unfortunately the truth.
I know I felt it growing up, but I have more than compensated as an adult.
Sorry to divert....
Can you prepare for it by having a snack before you get home, or before you work out in preparation for it?
Good luck and whatever you do, don't stop working out!
I vote for an egg. I've been having the same problem, and when I had a couple hard boiled eggs when I got home, it wasn't a huge calorie snack, but it did the trick.
Thank you all for your ideas. I don't go asleep until well after I get home because I sleep late in the day. I hate my schedule though! I would much rather get up in the morning, workout, eat, shower and then go to work! My goal is to start working on making that my schedule. As far as the hard boiled eggs go, I have to watch my intake of egg yolks because of my cholesterol. I am 23 and have to watch my cholesterol... I hate that! I am so thankful that I am changing this! I will let you all know how I do with changing my schedule! Thanks again for ideas!
After Workout Hunger
