Eating too late.

[agthompson]

I work long hours and do not get home until about 5pm. I wait for girlfriend to get home at 6 so we can hit the gym together. I use the hour before she gets home to prep food and stretch out a little before working out.

Of course, we work out until about 7pm, and food usually isn't fully prepared until 7:30-8pm. I crash for the night around 10-11 due to having to get up at 5am.

I know it's common knowledge that eating earlier is better for you, but I really have no alternative. What are your thoughts?

Thanks a ton in advance!

[bigboy5491]

Trying to lose weight?

You are right about eating more earlier in the day. Make dinner your lightest meal, meaning meal with the least calories. Be smart about choosing your calories: foods high in lean protein, foods low in fat, and try to limit carbs from sugar if you can. Limiting carbs in general is a good idea for nighttime, but especially sugars.

What are some examples of what you eat for dinner?

[agthompson]

Usually whole wheat pasta (spaghetti, pasta salad), chicken and rice, chicken stir fry, chicken ceasar salad, etc.

Last night the gf didn't get home until 6:30, we didn't make it home from the gym until 8pm, had to go grocery shopping, didn't get home until 9:15 or so, and didn't eat until 10pm. It's REALLY aggravating having to eat on a schedule like this. I'd like for both of us to eat on a more normal schedule. I wouldn't mind eating so late if it weren't so unhealthy.

[ldematto]

You could eat at 6 or 6:30 and go to the gym at 8? Does that Ceasar Salad have Ceasar dressing on it by any chance? Not the best if you are trying to lose weight. Better to use a light dressing - Paul Newman has some really tasty ones, favorite is the Light Rasberry Walnut.

[agthompson]

You could eat at 6 or 6:30 and go to the gym at 8? Does that Ceasar Salad have Ceasar dressing on it by any chance? Not the best if you are trying to lose weight. Better to use a light dressing - Paul Newman has some really tasty ones, favorite is the Light Rasberry Walnut.

I suppose we could always just move gym time to later in the evening. It was really just a matter of being semi-motivated after work and getting to the gym before we get settled in for the night. We'll just have to move things around a bit.

The salad does have dressing on it. We also use Italian dressing for our pasta salad. We'll have to look for healthier alternatives.

[cassiegose]

Hi there,

For late night meals you could go for eggwhites with veggies, chicken breast with veggies, lean red meat with veggies... pretty much any kind of lean protein with veggies. Right after working out I would have a protein shake (protein powder and water) to get quick protein to your muscles. Late night meals after workouts are a hard one because you really don't want to be eating too many carbs that late at night (if youre trying to cut fat)... however you do want to refuel after working out. You could add in some complex carbs with your lean protein and veggies (sweet potatoes, brown/wild rice, and oatmeal are favorites) but just go easy on them if youre trying to cut. If I were you I would experiment and see what works best for you. If you did some kind of lean protein, veggies, and complex carb it would be a pretty quick and easy meal to prepare.

Hope this helps!

Cassie

[efitnessnyc]

No such thing as eating late..Its all about nutrient timing...


http://www.ultimate-fatloss-guide.com/n ... iming.html

Once you learn about nutrient timing, you'll achieve results you desire..

[ldematto]

Sounds like what Cassie was saying - need to watch "what" you eat, and when, not just when.

Interesting article though....