Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice on what would be the most suitable food/drink to have before my work out and the timing. I'm just getting back into the gym after a long stint away. I'd like to burn 5-8 kg to get back close to my ideal weight. I'm 89 kg now and my ideal weight should be about 80. Last time I went at this seriously I got down to about 82/83 over the space of two months, so I know it's a doable target. I'm just doing one set of weights at the moment until I get back to 3 sets. But I want to concentrate on the cardio machines to reduce my weight first.

Normally I get home from work abut 5pm, then try to get to the gym shortly after that. Normally I would just have lunch and small snacks prior to that in the afternoon. What should I consume, say at 4pm? I'll sometimes have yoghurt, but guess I could consume a protein shake too. Just need enough energy to have a good workout, but not load on too many calories, negating the whole workout. How about electrolyte drinks during the workout? I sweat quite a but too so I'm losing a lot of fluid, or is plain water ok? I'd appreciate any ideas from those more experienced here:)

Personally I just take yogurt with musli.. proteinpowder.. berries and flax seed oil (and it holds enoug to count as a full meal).

I think you will have to find what you need to give you some energy in the gym.

I am not sure about the electrolyte drinks, if they are not full of sugars go for them otherwise go for water.

You should go for a brisk walk first thing in the morning , this starts your body in fat burning mode, try and get a healthy brekfast after, largest meal of the day at lunch time , cut out the carbs after 4.00pm and never eat late at night , you will be losing weight no probs , snacks for supper can be fruit or a good healthy cereal

Bulletproof coffee

Which is low toxin coffee (wet process and high altitude)

Grass fed butter or ghee

Coconut oil

Teaches the body to burn fat, great mental and physical energy, appetite suppression

http://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-make-your-coffee-bulletproof-and-your-morning-too/

It's similar idea to Tibetan yak butter tea

Can also be made with green tea

Thanks for the advice; unfortunately working out in the morning is out. Usually it will be about 5.30 pm, then home to have dinner. So post-workout is no problem; just need something to get through the workout:)

Ok maybe use some cafeine if you can get it, not the sugary drinks but pure cafeine. It will give you a boost of energy and you can later take your post workout meal. Though if you use it too much you get used to it. I do know that i take cafeine at times but not all the time.

I would not eat too much before a workout, and because you want to loose weight i would not take something with sugar as its just counter productive but it would help you with your workout. Personally i would just change my workout time to a time after diner.

But everyone is different in what they like.

Ok maybe use some cafeine if you can get it, not the sugary drinks but pure cafeine. It will give you a boost of energy and you can later take your post workout meal. Though if you use it too much you get used to it. I do know that i take cafeine at times but not all the time.

I would not eat too much before a workout, and because you want to loose weight i would not take something with sugar as its just counter productive but it would help you with your workout. Personally i would just change my workout time to a time after diner.

But everyone is different in what they like.

I will second the caffeine, along with maybe some Vitamin B. There are a huge number of pre-workout supplements available, that may or may not work for you. Some people are of the opinion that they are a waste of money and only provide a 'psychological' boost, but if the workout is better for taking them,for whatever reason, then I'd say they've done their job. As Rob said, each to his own.