Meal timing before/after cardio

DaveBB · July 12th, 2008, 04:01 PM

I want to do 3 days a week of 20 minute jump rope cardio sessions on my off days from weight training. What should my meal timing be like before a session?

Is it best to eat and then 3 hours later do the session on an empty stomach or have a stomach full of carbs when i start? And what should my meal timing be after a cardio workout? Should i eat a complete meal right after a session? Can anyone help me please?

**falconfootball** · July 12th, 2008, 07:26 PM

Before activity, I don't eat within 2 hours of the session, with a moderate amount of carbs.

After the workout with weights, I have a shake immediately, then a meal 1-2 hours after that.

If the cardio is something like HIIT or cross fit, I get some nutrition right when the session is over, to avoid muscle loss. If the cardio was more on the low impact side, i'll wait 30 mins to an hour post session, so the raised metabolism burns a little more before ingesting food.

**A1food4U** · July 13th, 2008, 12:53 AM

Dave,

need some info on your goals, are you cutting, maintaining or bulking? makes a difference....

**gYmgIrL** · July 13th, 2008, 02:52 AM

If you're skipping, because theres so much movement dont do it right after you've eaten, you'll get a stitch!

**wildstang** · July 13th, 2008, 03:47 PM

for me i eat after workout and use a shake before to keep the stomach from feeling over stuffed and regurgitating during bulking, and when cutting i dont take anything other then energy drink supp and bcca's to burn more cals and fat. not having any thing to eat can affect ones workout so thats why i utilize an energy drink.

DaveBB · July 14th, 2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1food4U

Dave,

need some info on your goals, are you cutting, maintaining or bulking? makes a difference....

bulking, and i'm a hardgainer when it comes to muscle but not to fat , lol

DaveBB · July 14th, 2008, 08:56 AM

wow i just realized this is in the womens fitness section

**A1food4U** · July 14th, 2008, 08:58 AM

I'd follow wildstangs advice, shake before, meal shortly afteryou need to fuel the machine or you'll end up loosing mass. I'm relatively new at this but am having great results by following advice of some of the knowledgeable folks around this site

**gYmgIrL** · July 14th, 2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveBB

wow i just realized this is in the womens fitness section

woops! i moved it for ya

**Italianangel** · August 18th, 2008, 12:11 AM

after.

**theatrain** · August 18th, 2008, 01:39 AM

skipping rope? my favorite.

Don't get frustrated when you trip up, I bought my jump rope and couldn't jope more than 10 times without tripping up, now I can go pretty much non stop 100+ jumps before I have any mistakes it takes a lot of patience but dont give up. I get frustrated easily and jump roping was a pain in the ass the first few weeks, I hear its burns almost as much calories as running though so if thats true I think its worth it to learn because it doesnt feel anywhere near as hard as running and its not boring