Protein best after a good workout???? HELP!! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

88Shelly88 · 07-28-2009, 07:56 AM

Hi everyone!!

Well I have been on a STRICT gym regimen of working out 5 days a week for one hour a day. I do my 30 min of cardio and 30 min of weight training. Some days I will mix it up and do one hour of cardio a day. I have hit a few plateaus, and think that I have hit one again. I have learned how to "live with them" and not get to upset like I once did. But I am desperate to lose these last 23 pounds!! (I have been fortunate and do not have to much saggy skin except for the arms and well the "girls".) My question is however is there some advantage to drinking my protein shake after working out? Typically I will have mine mid day or late in the day to prevent the snacking urges. If I drink my shake at around 7-8 PM I am soooo stuffed that I can not even think about food. Since I have a two year old who loves late night air popcorn, this is my challenge to stay away from it. But for whatever reason I remember when I was working with my trainer a few years back they told me to drink protein after working out. I am just wondering what your take is on this? Any advice??

angel82784 · 07-28-2009, 08:27 AM

My trainer says that it is best to have some sort of protein within 45 mins of a workout. It does not have to be a protein shake it can be some other form of protein. What ever works best for you. The protein helps the muscles repair after a hard workout.

Good luck

Arsonal · 07-28-2009, 08:43 AM

I've read the same thing in many places. Protein after the workout, not necessarily a shake, helps the muscles to start repairing. Some things I have read even suggest that it helps to reduce soreness.

Godsblessedme · 07-28-2009, 05:38 PM

protein shake right after working out IS the ideal thing because it quickly replaces what you've lost and its the most absorbed with us or anyone for that matter. I just use a little baggie for the powder and buy a water after my work out and thats that

OsoDelDesierto · 07-29-2009, 08:31 AM

Protein is definitely needed after a resistance/strength training workout, but carbs are also used by the body to build new muscle (not just repair the muscles broken down in the workout, as protein does). I don't know what the recommendation is for women (especially someone who is still losing weight to reach goal post-WLS), but Men's Health magazine recommends that men eat something with 30-40 g protein and 60-80 g carbs (healthy carbs, not simple carbs!) following a strength workout to maximize the muscle building (we're not talking competitive bodybuilders here, just regular men who work out with weights).

When I read that suggestion in Men's Health, which echoed what BodyPump instructors had told me, I thought I'd try it, since my body was still looking more lean than muscular, despite doing resistence work three days per week. I switched from just drinking Syntrax Nectar after BodyPump classes to eating a can of Trader Joe's turkey chili afterwards (yes, I can eat a whole 2-cup can in 20-30 minutes) - it has around 40 g protein and 60 g carbs. Since the switch, I've seen a definite improvement in my muscles - BodyPump builds long, lean (not bulky) muscles, but I'm definitely seeing more development in my chest, shoulders, etc. since I started adding carbs to my post-workout protein intake. This is at a stage, however, in which I want to maintain my weight and add lean muscle - your needs may be quite different at your weight-loss stage and carbs may slow your loss down...

inky-e · 07-29-2009, 09:18 AM

Within an hour pwo....On days you do only cardio....a cold glass of water on an empty stomach will do.