what to eat before exercising?? - ThinnerTimes

Tudge · 05-12-2007, 04:50 AM

I am training for a 10K race on Memorial Day and am having problems running out of steam between 4-5 miles. I usually run first thing in the morning before I go to work and do not eat anything before I run. What suggestions do you have for something quick that I could eat before I get on the treadmill - would a couple of spoonfuls of peanutbutter suffice? maybe a bananna?

John I am hoping you will chime in here - i am not nearly as in shape as you, but am trying...

Thanks
T.J.

chilmoe · 05-12-2007, 07:21 AM

can you eat oatmeal? i would say make sure you increase your water intake NOW, like adding at least 4 more cups per day than normal, if you can handle carbs, load up the day before the race, dont forget your protein, but store your body too, day of the race, if you can handle oatmeal, get up a bit early and eat oatmeal, do not run on an empty stomach for this race, the excitement enough will need fuel

so cool, amazing job! what a great event to add to your already awesome journey - good luck.

for now, before running, if you dont want to eat, i suggest something like a meal replacement shake - i use the no sugar added carnation instant breakfast drink - you will probably be able to drink two for breakfast - they are 150 calories each (i buy the ready to drink as thats all we have here). I feel full after drinking it and it has a bit of carbs and some vitamins, you could have one of those after your wait time of consuming the oatmeal on race day, but you definitely need to kickstart your body in the morning, it has gone all night without fuel and needs to be replenished upon waking

our bodies are so different as to what they need, but you have time this week to experiement as to what works for you energy wise before the big race.

and good luck -so proud for you!

porshh951 · 05-12-2007, 11:03 PM

Well I load water and calories all day. About 30 minutes before I workout I try and drink a glass of milk and eat a large bannana.

Make sure you drink enough water I seriously can't stress that enough. Also try and eat a good bit of calories during the day before. It will help store them cause you'll need em'. I don't know what you're average BPM is with you're weight and muscle mass so its hard to say how much energy you need.

I know for me to run 8 miles it costs me around 2000-2100cals. So if you are worried like I do about getting in the fuel start loading the day before and don't worry about the scale. Main thing is to really eat as often as possible to teach you're body you will never starve it.

When it knows that it will start automatically turning everything you eat into instant fuel. Then when you drink a glass of milk and eat a bannana like I do 15 minutes later you feel a kick. 30 minutes later its ready to be burnt. Depending on gag reflux. I get that sometimes if I loaded a bunch and then go out and run. So be careful of that.

You will have to find where you're personal body's balance lies. Oatmeal mixed with fruits is a great idea(chilmoe is right). I use mostly fruits and milk though for my fuel kick. I back that up with real meats like chicken/fish and some good starches like steamed rice(which I eat alot of). White rice is great fuel for you're workout.

Find out what you can tolerate and what you can't. Feel free to pm me anytime. Its really a trial by error type of process since we are all a little different. For me its prolly been easier than most since I can eat anything i just can't eat alot of it.

Some people can't touch the stuff I use for fuel like steamed rice/fruits/ect.

Tudge · 05-19-2007, 07:08 AM

Sorry it took me so long to reply

Thanks for the suggestions - I tried the SF Carnation Instant Breakfast and it does seem to help....I think I will stick with this for the time being - I usually get up at 2:45 am to run before I go to work - so I usually get right out of bed and onto the treadmill - so I am afraid to eat anything solid....

John - I tried some rice yesterday - man that was BAD.... felt like it was stuck in my throat for about 3 hours - so I guess I will stick with the milk.

Thanks again for the suggestions - I will let you all know how I finish, the race - it is a pretty big deal around here. Dont know if you have heard of it or not - called the Bolder Boulder - there is supposed to be between 55,000 and 60,000 participants.

My goal is to finish in under an hour - but not sure how realistic that is - I have ran a 5K previously in 26:40, but there are a couple of pretty good hills to climb in this race - so we shall see....

Munch75 · 05-20-2007, 07:28 AM

I trained for (and completed a half-marathon) ... I'm also 5.5 years post-op, so what works for me may not work for you. And it took time playing with different ways of doing things to find what worked for me.

The day before long runs (and my races) I focus on drinking a lot of water and eating healthy carbs. Typically a small pasta dinner.

About an hour before my running I eat either a banana or some oatmeal. During my running, I eat Shot Bloks (by Cliff) and drink a lot of water. I seem to drink way more water than my non-post op running friends, not sure why. Within 10 mins of finishing I drink endurox (icky, but works!) and on my way home I usually eat a banana.

Some friends who aren't as far out from surgery have tried different lower sugar options that worked for them, but I did fine with the main stream ones.

Good luck!!

Christy

porshh951 · 05-20-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudge

Sorry it took me so long to reply

Thanks for the suggestions - I tried the SF Carnation Instant Breakfast and it does seem to help....I think I will stick with this for the time being - I usually get up at 2:45 am to run before I go to work - so I usually get right out of bed and onto the treadmill - so I am afraid to eat anything solid....

John - I tried some rice yesterday - man that was BAD.... felt like it was stuck in my throat for about 3 hours - so I guess I will stick with the milk.

Thanks again for the suggestions - I will let you all know how I finish, the race - it is a pretty big deal around here. Dont know if you have heard of it or not - called the Bolder Boulder - there is supposed to be between 55,000 and 60,000 participants.

My goal is to finish in under an hour - but not sure how realistic that is - I have ran a 5K previously in 26:40, but there are a couple of pretty good hills to climb in this race - so we shall see....

Honestly if you can clock off 3.2miles(5k) in 26minutes you are right where I am in terms of speed. There is no reason why you can't do everything you have listed and more. I just have to say AWESOME! I'm soo happy that you are taking the attitude towards total life fitness like you are. You sound happy and dedicated. Words can't express how proud I am of you(I know that may sound silly) not many people take a serious aproach to fitness daily with their weightloss program. It truely changes you for the better and you're health is amazing.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with rice. Maybe try pasta? I also eat alot of pasta(wheat) constantly with other breads. Its hard for us post op people because all of our bodies are going to be a little different and react a little different to foods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munch75

I trained for (and completed a half-marathon) ... I'm also 5.5 years post-op, so what works for me may not work for you. And it took time playing with different ways of doing things to find what worked for me.

The day before long runs (and my races) I focus on drinking a lot of water and eating healthy carbs. Typically a small pasta dinner.

About an hour before my running I eat either a banana or some oatmeal. During my running, I eat Shot Bloks (by Cliff) and drink a lot of water. I seem to drink way more water than my non-post op running friends, not sure why. Within 10 mins of finishing I drink endurox (icky, but works!) and on my way home I usually eat a banana.

Some friends who aren't as far out from surgery have tried different lower sugar options that worked for them, but I did fine with the main stream ones.

Good luck!!

Christy

haha me and you with banna's. I know I eat them all the time too they are great. Awesome to hear you are so far post op and still doing very well. Its encouraging for me.