Think about your last really amazing workout performance. A workout where you walked away feeling like you gave it your all, and it showed. The results were beyond your expectations, you recovered quickly, and everything just came together the way you imaged it in your head.
What did you eat before that workout?
Now, imagine the last terrible workout you completed. You felt sluggish, low energy, tired, and couldn’t lift a weight that you expected to be light. You maybe even had to drop weight in the middle of the workout. You walked away feeling defeated.
What did you eat before that workout?
I can guarantee you that what you ate before each of the situations above was completely different. It is easy to default to the idea that your muscles are the same, your body is the same, and therefore, your performance should be the same. But that is not true.
The ideal fuel before a workout is a combo of carbs and protein. If you can’t do both, focus on carbs. They fuel your body and provide energy for working out at high intensity.
You want to actually avoid fats and fiber right before a workout, as they could make you feel full and sluggish. Not the ideal situation through a long metcon.
Here are some ideas for a pre-workout snack:
- apple/banana and egg whites
- Rice or sweet potato and turkey
- Applesauce or smashed banana with protein powder mixed in
- Zero sugar yogurt
It is hard to change our routine and convince our body of how good it CAN feel unless you try it. Switch up your pre-workout for one day and see how you feel. What works best will depend on how long before your workout you are eating and will certainly be specific to the individual.
Give it a try and let me know how it works out.
In health
Chris Robinson