How important is it to take whey directly after working out. Common sense says its important ... but I'm hoping I'm loading up with enough protein to suffice.

I take cytogainer in the morning (48 G protein w/ 3% efficiency) and at night, and I take NO Shotgun (nitrous/creatine) before workout, as well as anator after workouts (recovery).

I haven't got around to purchasing some whey yet(I'm gonna get ON Standard Gold)

I'm around 151 now, put on about 6 pounds of muscle from when I started lifting again after my car accident.

How much of a priority is getting this whey as long as I'm eating good and getting the protein in the morning/night?

TESTOSTERONE NATION - Solving The Post-Workout Puzzle - Part 1

Guess I'll buy that whey.

You don't necessarily have to have whey as a post protein source, but it is a little bit better because it gets absorbed faster. though solid protein foods along with some simple carbs work just as well Imo.

I'm gonna hijack the thread and ask: Does it matter how long time passes before you take your post protein? If it's 45minutes after your workout, will that be worse than taking it 15-20minutes after your workout?

I believe there is a post-workout “window of opportunity” of about 60-90 minutes but this is not restricted to proteins only.

Do you mean 0-90 minutes. Or are you saying i'd have to wait an hour after i lift to eat?
Because most of the time, 20 minutes after i lift maybe less im outta the shower and eating my tuna.

I'd say the window of opportunity is wide open right after you workout. Hell, that window opens a little bit with every lift you do. Your body is being depleted of all of its glycogen stores, blood glucose is then converted into glycogen, which in turn gets drained out too.

So it makes sense that consuming simple carbs and protein as soon as possible is optimal. I even bring my dextrose/whey shake with me to the gym, and take a couple sips during my workout. Then afterwards, I'm walking out of the gym, and taking nice big sips. Insulin spikes up, and all those simple carbs are like little cars carrying passengers (protein) to the muscles. Blood glucose is replenished, glycogen stores are replenished, and protein has been made available for repairing microtrauma.

Then, about an hour after lifting and drinking that shake, I have a meal with more protein, and a more complex carb. The immediate need for carbs was fulfilled by the simple carbs, so now a slower burning carb will ensure a constant supply of energy to those weary muscles...

Studies show that preworkout protein is almost as important as post, I'd advise taking a light meal within an hour of lifting, and immediatly after or ASAP. The window only fades.

I'm with mark, I sip during.

i been using ready to drink muscle milk 22g protein post workout. after 2 hours eat a healthy meal. pre-workout i just have water

glucose isnt turned into glycogen when the body needs energy.


I know im being picky ;P but the "car" would be carrying amino acids.

Best to use the term Low Gi, because many complex carbs are actually quite a high Gi. Which is often a mistake people often make which is why the G.I terms exist as they do now.

Careful with calories on that muscle milk. I saw a post on the net titled "Is Muscle Milk worth the calories ?" as it reportedly had to be taken both before and after workouts, at 640 calories for 2 cups, which meant 1280 calories in this supplement alone each day.

Could you elaborate more on the conversion of blood glucose and when it is used?

Duly noted on the other 2 points, I understand what you mean.

Glycogen is stored glucose in your liver and muscles. I think you just had it backwards mmw. But you are correct, a few hours after lifting your body is trying to re-up the glycogen stores to 'normal' levels.

Oh OK, cool. I like to get my info straight, thanks!

Actually - When I posted this I was taking Anator after my workout, which has some protein (~20 grams, 10 cuz I take one scoop not two).

After this post though I went and bought ON Standard Gold Banana flavor and take that after my workout. I mix it with a scoop or two of Cytogainer Strawberry's N Cream Shake flavor, the result tastes really good. And I'm less sore lately.

By the way has anyone tried Animal Pak or NO Shotgun?