just a few questions

[juicedup2408]

ok so i just started a new job that takes just about all of my time.. i have two now.. so now i only have time to workout in the mornings.. between 7-9am.

ok now heres the deal.. i usually do my cardio then.. i have never really worked out in the morning.. i dont feel that i have enough food in my system or just enough energy to get a good workout in.

I always hear how good it is to do your cardio first thing in the morning.. well now i might be able to get cardio in the evening.. around 7-9pm..

the question is, would cardio still benefit me at that hour of the day as good as it would first thing in the morning?

Thanks

 

[Flex2019]

Early morning training definitely takes some getting used to-for the past year I've been training from 5:30-7:30 every morning. After a few weeks it's really not that hard, and I actually feel that I get a better workout early now. As for the pm cardio, it is fine, and is actually a great way to burn excess calories that may have been eaten during the day.

 

[juicedup2408]

yea i think over the past 5 years i might have worked out that early maybe 3 times haha.

im trying to do somewhat of a cutting cycle right now so thats why i wanted to know what would benefit me the most..

i've never really done a hardcore cutting cycle so i'm trying to get in as much info as i can...

 

[Flex2019]

In that case it would be helpful to post your stats...Age, height, weight, BF %, training experience, as well (and most importantly) your diet breakdown. It is your diet that will dictate how well you cut, not your cycle.

 

[juicedup2408]

Age: 23
Height: 6'2"
weight: 240lbs
bf%: 13%

I have been trying to train serious for about 2 years now. Sometimes i have some fallbacks (work and others)
I have been working out for longer than 2 years i just didnt know much then..

as far as my diet breakdown goes.. im still trying to tweak it and get everything right.. that is something i def need help with also..

im taking in around 300-350g protein a day and around 150carbs. i try to stay low on fats..

i cant really say my exact breakdown of what i eat everyday because my job requires me to do alot of traveling on the roads and office work so there is some days that i can pack my lunch and there is some that i have to kinda make due with the best i can get.. i supplement with alot of protein products simply because of this reason.. and i know the bars and rtd shakes are not gonna get me to my goals haha

 

[diesel158]

the reason most favor early am cardio is because you're working on an empty stomach so you're body is forced to burn fat as fuel. As far as training in the morning, I love it, nobody's in the gym and then I'm done for the day.

 

[juicedup2408]

yea my gym is always crowded in the evening.. i also have a training partner for in the morning so it shouldnt be too bad..

what would be best for pre workout meal in the morning? seeing as how it would be my first meal of the day haha. I'm just going to be pushing for time in the morning so i dont wanna eat a HUGE meal and go workout feeling like crap.. but i dont wanna go in there on an empty tank haha.

so i really need some help figuring that one out

 

[Flex2019]

My morning routine goes like this: I wake up at 5:00 and eat 1/4 cup of oats...this is just enough carbs to keep me fueled for my workout at 5:30...usually I take 25mg ephedrine and 200mg caffeine at the same time to wake me up. Too big of a meal and I feel like crap for my workout. Post-workout is when you really need the calories.

As far as the rest of your diet, your protein and carbs seem like they are a good starting point. Keep in mind, the bulk of your carbohydrates need to be consumed earlier in the day, tapering off in the afternoon. I try to eat few carbs after 6:00 pm. Your protein should be divided evenly throughout the day. 50g every two to three hours will get you to the 300-350 range you speak of. Shakes are fine for this, but stay away from the premixed shakes, as they generally have a much higher fat and sugar content than a straight protein powder. I use ON 100% whey. I go through about 20lbs per month and consider it part of my grocery bill.

 

[juicedup2408]

haha thats alot of powder.. but yea i just started taking animal pump and i have a bunch of other supplements that help with my workout.. would it benefit me still to take these other NO products through out the day after my workout?

 

[Flex2019]

"Workout boosters"

I occasionally use a couple scoops of MRI's Black Powder prior to my workouts, especially if I wake up a bit late and don't have time to eat my oats. Gives me a nice boost and increased focus, but using such supplements later in the day is not necessary, and in the case of products such as Black Powder, will add some sugar to your diet that you don't want.

 

[juicedup2408]

yea i dont use any supps that have sugar.. the only ones i use would be like animal pump, and some gnc NO products.. i might just take them before my workout in the morning then the eca before my cardio in the evening

 

[Flex2019]

I would take the ECA earlier in the day and not take it after 4 or 5 o'clock, as it makes sleeping difficult for most people.