This has been talked about for a while about the anabolic window.
The timeframe in which you would need to consume calories and nutrients post-exercise and if you don’t you miss the opportunity on gaining essential growth for your muscles.
Well, we now know this isn’t exactly true. While it's still beneficial to consume a meal or some sort of nutrient-based meal post-workout if you have eaten even about 2 hours beforehand then your body would still be using and feeding off the food you ate beforehand.
Studies have shown that individuals that
But here’s the thing and my take on it. While studies are great, they should be utilized. It doesn’t mean they are always concrete in their findings as time and time again studies have been shown to help with breakthroughs of information but also been shown to be off in their findings or just inconclusive because there simply it wasn’t done right or just not enough evidence to support a growing body of information on the subject it was done on.
Am I saying studies are garbage? No, not by any means. They should always be done and utilized. Because how would we know how to advance in the right method of science and training and so on.
but what I am getting at is a study, depending on what is being studied and how it is being studied, of course, may not always give you the right or the best conclusive answers where there are so many different variables intricate into the equation. Sometimes at best there is given insight. It doesn’t mean it was necessarily wrong but also doesn’t mean it was necessarily right either.
And what I mean is if you take this subject we are discussing, there are many variables when it comes to the human body.
The way each of us would process our macronutrients and micronutrients won't always be the same. Although there is a standard process on how all our bodies break down anything that enters our body, I don’t think everyone will process the same way if you have them eat post-exercise or not.
Some people may absorb the nutrients faster, slower, more in each meal, etc. I think it differs.
I also think it differs between how fast or slow people will use up these nutrients as well. Again, as we know there is a standard as to the length of time this happens, because there are so many different people on the planet, I don’t think everyone reacts the same way to it.
So, my point of what I’m trying to say is, although studies show the anabolic window is more of a “myth” as some might say, I believe it's still important to eat post-workout whether you have already eaten something a half hour or 1 hour or 2 hours beforehand.
You may still be utilizing the nutrients from our pre-meal but things like how hard you’ve worked out, how long you have been working out for that session, how many years you have been exercising for, how often in a week, how much muscle mass you have on your body, how big your body frame is, etc. matters on how you will use that extra amount after your workout.
And therefore, I still consume something almost right after I workout. I guess the good thing to know is if you miss doing this some days or don’t do it in a timely aspect and do it exactly after, you won’t tend to lose muscle or have a catabolic break down.
But it sure doesn’t hurt to stay regimented and have that post-workout standard meal or shake without overconsumption of calories which of course would be based on your weight and regimented eating habits, to make sure you’re getting the proper nutrients you need.
Disclaimer: Adam is not a doctor nor a nutritionist. This is all from the experience Adam has gained through himself and schooling. Through his videos, Adam shares his personal and educational experience that he has acquired over the past years of training individuals through fitness and nutrition. Adam would strongly recommend you see your physician before starting or completing any exercise program. You should be in good physical condition to participate in the exercises which is why consulting your physician would be recommended.
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