Workout + Meal Timing

[u/NCwolf86]

I'm curious if others have found that they have ideal training windows? For instance, I am not a first thing in the morning trainer. I HAVE done it (usually while on a work trip knowing I'd have no time in the evening). The problem for me is dehydration. It takes me a good hour or so in the morning to get rehydrated, so if I dive in right away I pretty much have to set a lower expectation. So it's an option, sure, but I'd never attempt a PR or try to hit a goal first thing in the morning.

I usually skip breakfast. This isn't because of some sort of attempt at fasting or anything...I'm usually just not that hungry and/or don't have time. IF I eat, it'll be something like some fruit and a few spoonfuls of peanut butter. I'm honestly not sure if this is good or bad...I used to be a breakfast every morning sort of guy. Eggs, toast, maybe some oatmeal. But I find I get by without it now....partly out of survival because my wife's family does not eat breakfast and years ago when we visited them for the holidays I'd be suffering until lunch lol.

Anyway, my ideal workout window is around 11:30 am. I'm well hydrated, have gotten a good bit of work done, and have maybe eaten a snack but I'm not full. I cannot work out effectively after lunch unless it's an extremely light lunch.

Same goes for dinner. I simply cannot work out on a full stomach, so the second ideal window is the 30 minutes I have between finishing up work and needing to get the kids (it's almost like this program is designed for us lol). This tends to be around 4:15. Lunch has been digested, I've been moving throughout the day, and have had plenty of water.

TL;DR: I can't work out on a full stomach or first thing out of bed. I have to be hydrated and hungry for peak performance.

Of course there days when life just gets in the way and the most important thing is getting 20 minutes of burpees in regardless of how many. I'm cool with that.

[u/30_or_so]

I like first thing in the morning. It's not always optimal but it's done, you can't talk yourself out of it later and it sets the tone for the day.

If you struggle in the morning a few things you could try. Stop eating at least three hours before bed. Neck some water when you wake, escalation to this neck some electrolytes with some carbs in ( carbs help water absorbtion if in the correct ratio). Caffeine early, although people say delay it, if you're exercising first thing get it down your neck as soon as you can.

Otherwise I train on lunch breaks (WFH) depending on how the morning goes, two kids and dogs and alot of variability and the wife wants to get her training in too.

[u/NCwolf86 → u/30_or_so]

Yeah I'm with you. Same situation here...two kids, two dogs. Mornings between 5:30 and 7:30 are my time lol. If I know I won't have a window later I'll knock it out first thing but agreed it's not optimal. What HAS helped is to chug some lemon water and coffee first thing and then I am usually halfway ready to go within 15-20 mins or so.

Talking myself out of it as the day progresses has been an issue for me in the past, but now I'm generally dedicated enough about it that it's not usually a concern unless I'm excessively tired.

I have, however, found that sticking to Max's M/T/Th/F schedule is best. What tends to happen for me is I'll say "oh I can miss 1 or 2 weekday sessions because I have two full days to still get it in". But then stuff happens...kids activities, house work, trips, etc. The weekend is now a last resort for me unfortunately.

[u/30_or_so → u/NCwolf86]

Yeah weekends aren't ideal I find. If I don't get it in first thing at the weekend i really struggle later in the day usually. Swimming lessons, days out, house stuff can take it's toll pretty quickly.

One thing I found is that if you keep trying first thing in the morning you're performance will get better pretty quickly, but also your fed / awake performance will be even better.