Wed, Apr-17-02, 17:32
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Senior Member
Posts: 11,512
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Plan: IF +LC
Stats: 287/165/165
BF:
Progress: 100%
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Kirsten, if your goal is fat loss (and I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume it is ) you will benefit most from exercise in the A.M. done on an empty stomach. Check out the thread Teri mentioned by fern -it is chock full of information on how to workout first thing and what to have beforehand to stave off muscle wasting (basically 1/2 a cup of strong coffee will do it).
You can also do the weight training in the morning, or do it in the afternoons - many people prefer this time of day as they are stronger. If you do workout in the afternoon try to do so 2 hours after your last meal. Post workout it is adviseable to get some protein and a few carbs into you w/in 45 minutes if you have been lifting. If you are doing cardio, wait an hour to get all the fat burning benefit of your workout.
You want to eat after lifting to provide fuel to your muscles - and you want protein in there as well as some carbs. The carbs will help get the amino acids from the protein into your muscles - they will also release a bit of insulin, but after working out this can actually be beneficial. Insulin will help get rid of the cortisol that is produces when your body is under stress - cortisol hinders muscle growth. Taking your anti-oxidants after lifting is another way to control cortisol - vit C and E are your basic antioxidants.
HTH
Nat
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