My (1) reader, DJ, asked a few questions on a previous post and I want to respond to them in some depth:
Is this how you did things last time, with all those carbs later in the day?
Yes… I workout later in the day and it’s best to take most of your carbs in around your workout. Before to have energy during your workout and after to help refeed your body from the workout. Also, in the evenings is when I’m most tired… I’m a morning persons I generally have plenty of energy in the morning… so those extra carbs in the evening help a little with that.
Some people think that taking in carbs in the evening is bad… but I think they say that because the evening is when “average” people tend to break out the Doritos, have a slice of cake, or go out for ice cream…. none of which are a good source of carbs. Most people don’t eat plain oatmeal in the evening. The source of your carbs is a big factor.
Also, do you keep your diet the same on non-workout days?
Right now yes… I will still take in my pre and post workout carbs even though I’m not working out…. for now. This will probably be one of the first ways I cut carbs though.
Supplements
I wanted to mention what supplements I’m taking right now. In the morning I’m taking a generic multi-vitamin and 500 mg of Vitamin C. Before my workout I drink a protein shake that also includes 2 scoops of Scivation’s Xtend… BCAA’s. I’ll also add a few scoops to my jug of Crystal Light that I sip on at night. That’s all I’m taking right now. These supplements are all basically pre-cautions…
- Multi - to make sure I’m getting most of the essential nutrients… it’s easy to miss some when you’re eating very limited foods
- Vitamin C - because the last thing I want is to get sick during pre-contest
- Xtend - To ge those BCAA’s for energy and protein synthesis