Protein/carb drink after workouts?
 

Hello, I'm seriously thinking about applying the Protein Power way of eating to my life. A couple weeks ago I went zero carbs for 3 days and dropped a good 4-5 lbs. On that diet I felt energized and not like a wild animal- hungry every hour on the hour. I'm at 198 w/very low body fat but I would like to be lean at around 190. Okay, so that's my little bio, this is my first post and my only solid question. I workout out consistantly 5 days a week for 2 hours with cardio, calistenics and weights. I've read in all the muscle/fitness magazines that it's important to refuel your muscles with carbs and protein directly after the workout. In one artical they even said for low carb dieters to make sure you take in carbs right when the workout is done. That those carbs don't have the same affect as they normally would. I guess the science here is that your muscles are depleated and by taking in a good mixture of sugar carbs that they will restore glyceron levels. Does anyone train hard and/or know anything about this and it's relevance to the Protein Power? Or tell me anything?
Thank you
Alex

Alex, hi there :)

Many of us do train hard and do follow a LC WOL (way of life). You'll find many posts similar to yours in the General Exercise forum, if you're interested.

Re your question about carbs post workout. Yes, they are often advised, even when LCing. The reason is two fold. The carbs do help to shuttle the amino acids from the protein to your muscles faster. But the main reason carbs are suggested post workout is to create an insulin spike (yes, on purpose). Working out intensely puts great stress on the body and releases a nasty thing called cortisol. Cortisol renders the body catabolic and suppresses immune functions. Levels of cortisol become highest after approximately one hour of intense exercise - this is why it is recommended you keep workouts under one hour. Insulin will switch the body over from a catabolic state (muscle wasting) to an anabolic one (muscle building) and it will neutralize cortisol levels.

Does your 2 hours a day happen continuously? If so you might want to break that up - cardio in the a.m. and the lifting in the late afternoon, to allow your body a chance to recover.

Carbs are not the only way to help deal with cortisol. You might find this thread of interest.

Cheers,
Nat

Thank you for the response, I have to admit I was pretty anxious to get one on this question. I checked out the link you had, and now my brain hurts from all this information. I'm still struggling inside on exactly how to approach this. Because of my schedule it is hard to split my 2 hour workouts. What do you think about sipping 42 grams of carb (from a gatorade) starting half way between the workout and finishing at the end where I'll take in a good protein shot. (On most workout days, I'll wake up and pop one xenadrine and head off.) I do appreciate your response and I'm glad I stumbled upon this site while messing around looking through fitness sites. This is a pretty amazing scene you guys got going here, I give it :thup:'s for sure.

Alex
p.s. Am I clueless?