Hey, I have the post workout meal down and know what that should consist of. But I have some questions about the pre workout and post post meals.

Why do we need to have a pre workout meal? I usually have breakfast and train 2-3 hours later and I feel fine...

And about the post post workout meal, I have read a few conflicting things. One said this:

"Post-postworkout is simply your next sheduled meal, whether it's 1, 2, or 3 hrs later simply doesn't matter - especially if your immediate postworkout meal was proper."

I also read that you should eat your post post workout meal 1 hour after your workout...

So which one is right? I am never hungry one hour after my post workout shake, but for the past couple days have eaten one hour later anyway.

Pre-workout meal should consist of complex carbs, its a meal that usually is an hour before your workout to give you the maximum amount of energy to perform your lifts.

No protein needed? That seems pretty unnecessary to me.. I've tried working out 1 hour after breakfast before too, didn't notice any differences.

There should be protein at every meal , but pre-workout is mainly complex carbs. It might seem unecessary to you, but most people find they can lift harder and run longer with adequate pre-workout nutrition.

It might not be a huge difference, some days i didn't bother with a preworkout meal and i noticed i did a few chins less than last workout, military presses felt harder than it usually does at the same weight, etc. Might be a small difference, might be a big difference.

Oh yea, and usually when i did my cardio runs i just went out and ran and didn't really pay attention to any preworkout meal. when i did take a good amount of carbs before my run i noticed i was able to run the same distance with a better mood, and not having to stop for rest the same amount.

Regarding post workout, there is a critical 3-hour anabolic window afterward that you can take take advantage of by feeding your body the proper nutrients. Check out the article listed below on the AST site for more specific info. You obviously don't have to use their products in the article, but the concepts and strategies are good.

AST Sports Science - Paul Cribb's Articles

The pre workout meal is beginning to prove more valuable then the post. Carbs/protein ftw.

More valuable than post? With the post workout meal you stop yourself from being catabolic and start being anabolic, the post workout meal is absolutely huge...

What does the pre workout meal do that is so valuable?

That's a crappy article dude. They're saying that you need to buy their products in order to get a better workout/recovery.
All they're trying to do with that article is to advertise and sell their products

The article has good research backed concepts regarding the timing and types of nutrients to take in post workout to get the most benefit. As I mentioned in my post, you don't have to use their products they are promoting. You could easily substitute with other brands of supplements or whole foods. The strategy/concepts is the main point.

Thats like saying that putting gas in your car is better after its ran out of fuel.

well they do say its better for cellphone battery life if you let it fully die, then charge it heheh


btw i agree with you tony hehe

what am I missing about the pre workout meal that is so valuable? If you guys agree that it's more valuable than the post workout meal I must be missing something?

The biggest reason for PWO is to intake extra calories. If you're eating 2-4 hours before your workout, then you still have amino acids running through the body. Obviously the extra calories are good with certain goals; however, there is no supplement that is just suddenly going to break down and give you these immediate results. I will say that regular old milk is a great PWO.

End result-make sure you're getting enough kcals to meet your goal(s) and put your time under the iron.

Most pre/PWO studies are done with individuals in a fasted state. If you want to get a real picture of results take an individual. Put him through X weeks trial. Have the first X weeks with normal dietary intake. Then have him add a pre WO meal and nothing more. The compare him with a PWO, no preWO, and regular kcal intake. Then have him repeat with adding a PreWO and PWO. Then compare those results against many other individuals.

Between the two...I'm more for PreWO and then just eating an hour or so after workout.

Eh...I'm done.

Somewhere in the beginning of my journal is an article about this.

yeah, the whole going catabolic thing after a workout if you don't consume a protein shake is really a load of bull. However, if you have only eaten 2-3 hours before you train, then it might be a problem, but with a normal preWO meal you probably won't become catabolic.