Everything you do when it comes to eating and exercising is very important when you’re trying to lose weight. It is important to be consistent with healthy routine, and change does not happen overnight. Fear not, because with a few solid habits, you can achieve the number on the scale and the overall look you want to achieve. We spoke with Dr Mike Bohl, the Director of Medical Content and Education at Ro and a certified personal trainer, and they are here to win. We have all the information you need to help you get to your weightloss goal effectively, including the best time to eat after a workout.
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First, Dr. Bohl explains that when your goal is to lose a few pounds, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods. For example, many dieters think they should stay away from carbohydrates and instead eat protein. On the contrary, it is essential to have carbohydrates right after a workout.
The reason is that when you exercise, you deplete glycogen, which is glucose that is stored in your muscles and liver. After a workout, your body works to build and repair muscle and replace its glycogen stores. If you only consume protein after a workout, your body will have to use the protein to replenish glycogen. If you eat carbohydrates, they will break down into glucose and replenish your glycogen stores. So the protein you consume will be used more efficiently to repair and synthesize muscle rather than being metabolized to fuel your body with energy.
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Now that you understand what you should eat, let’s talk about when you should eat it. The best time to eat after exercising in order to achieve weight loss is within the first half hour after you have finished exercising. That said, keep in mind that weight loss is really about how much you eat rather than when you eat it.
Dr. Bohl tells us, “This is the total number of calories you eat throughout the day. If you eat more calories than you burn, no matter what time of day you eat them, you’ll gain weight. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, no matter what time of day you eat them, you will lose weight.” Of course, there are rules to keep in mind.
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Make sure you eat enough carbs just before you exercise to ensure they give you enough energy for a solid workout, and have the right amount of carbs post-workout to aid in your recovery. Also, the best option to eat is a combination of carbohydrates and proteins. (Remember what we explained earlier: Carbohydrates will replenish all the stored energy you expended during training, and protein will be used for muscle synthesis and repair.)
Your weight goals should be the determining factor in how many calories you consume. As mentioned above, since you’re trying to lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn for the day. Dr. Bohl tells us, “According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, for effective weight loss, obese people trying to lose weight should burn at least 200 to 300 calories per exercise session (and at least 1,200 calories per week) through exercise A caloric deficit of approximately 3,500 calories is needed to lose about 1 pound body fat”.
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alexa mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Associate Editor for Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel, and providing readers with engaging topics on fitness, wellness, and personal care. read more