Man today I had a hell of a back workout and as I was finishing up with a crazy pump I could not help but think to myself how exactly I was able to perform the way I did. Sure, PEDs play a role, but I must admit that my meals before I train have played an even bigger role for me, and they can for you as well.
For starters YOU NEED TO EAT before training, yes even if you train first thing in the morning. I know, I know what you are thinking to yourself “I am not hungry, I do not have time, blah, blah fucking blah” But if you are serious about your progress and development, then you need to treat this as another weapon in your arsenal. Because if you don’t you are shortchanging yourself big time and why put in all the effort in the gym not to reach your full potential, to me that is a waste!!!
When it comes to pre-workout nutrition the goal is energy and glucose facilitation that will ultimately lead to a very good pump and an increase in strength that directly affects your growth and overall progress. I do not care if you are bulking (man I hate that word lol) or cutting, you need to eat CARBS!!!!! But the huge key here is the type of carbs you will be consuming and that my friends is high glycemic carbs a long with a low fat source and if you choose (I personally don’t for digestive reasons) a lower protein source to keep your blood sugar from crashing because protein will delay gastric emptying.
How I like to run this personally is combine a moderate to lower GI (glycemic index) carb such as oatmeal or cream of wheat/rice, with a Higher GI carb like rice crispy treats or honey!!! Doing this will create a big surge in blood sugar pre-training from the simple sugar but because of the lower GI food (oatmeal, cream of wheat) behind it your blood sugar will remain elevated once your blood sugar begins to drop from the simple carbs!!! Then combining a fat source, for me its about 10-12 grams of peanut butter, will keep me from crashing even more because the fat will slow down the overall digestion of the meal.
Keep the volume of food on the lower end or you will run the risk of feeling sluggish. For me it is about 50-70 grams of Cream of wheat, 1-2 rice crispy treats depending on the muscle group I am training and 10-12 grams of peanut butter.
50-70 grams cream of wheat
1-2 rice crispy treats
10-12 grams peanut or almond butter
*If you choose ½ scoop of whey isolate protein
EAT THIS MEAL 1-1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO TRAINING!!!!
BEYOND JUST BODYBUILDING!!!!