Eating after a session

[I_Can_I_Will]

Just starting week 1 and wondering what's best to eat after a session? App suggests a small snack like a banana, but my natural hunger craves a pasty or chocolate!!

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

Have a pasty or a chocolate then

[Hidden]

I usually end up having an omelette after a run and a large glass of milk. Try to eat something that your body needs rather than what it craves. When you feel hungry try to drink a pint of water/squash and you will be less likely to eat the crap that we love. Have a lite snack like a banana before you go for a run. Well done for starting C25K. This forum is awesome and the support you get here is even more awesome so if you need us we will be here ok😊

[I_Can_I_Will Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Steve, much appreciated

[BeccaTh Graduate]

I have a piece of fruit, or make my dinner before I go so I have it when I get back and have showered. I try not to buy chocolate anymore as i will just eat that 😂

[I_Can_I_Will Graduate in reply to BeccaTh]

Thanks for support and advice. Just told kids to polish off the Easter eggs....😰 If they're not here, I can't eat them

[Hidden]

You don't need to eat anything extra after the runs on this programme. You are not burning many calories and if you start eating extra, you will put on weight!

[WalkingWithLabradors Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes. I’m on week 9 and only burning 110 cals at most. It’s more about stamina building and toning your body. People make the mistake of thinking “I’ll exercise it off” but you won’t. Just eat healthily to thank your body for its efforts. 😊

[davelinks Graduate]

No, you don't really need anything before or after a c25k run, maybe just a small drop of water, I would time my runs to be before my main meal times, so would be ready for those and enjoy them with more appetite, avoid snacks like pastries and chocolate, think I'd feel nauseous having a large glass of milk...😊

[Sweatyfaced Graduate]

Depends why you have taken up running; if you have taken it up as part of a diet and exercise plan then just a bit of water before you head out and when you get back should be fine.

If you want to build muscle / put on weight then something with protein in might work?

As others have said, you're not really burning many calories but if you're new to exercise you may be experiencing a tiny sugar low after your run and this would mean you crave sugary things. If you resist and hop in the shower first, your body will sort itself out and the craving will be gone by the time you're out!

And your body will just get better at managing your sugar levels as the weeks pass and you'll find in a few weeks that you no longer get this.

Best of luck with the programme; it really is fab and changes lives. It's changed mine! Xxx

[Dutch-Sally]

My friend works for a company that have developed a high protein bar for after exercise, apparently it’s supposed to help reduce the build up of lactic acid in you’re muscules, so I had a box of bars given me. I tend to have half a bar after a run as a ‘reward’ and it has helped eliminate any after aches/pains.

And it’s covered in chocolate so a win win I feel!

Good luck and keep going

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Eating something that you would not have eaten had you not exercised is going to increase your calorie intake...

Rehydrate straight after a run but for a thirty minute work out you do not need any extra food.

There is a section about eating in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just a drink of water...as davelinks and IannodaTruffe say...you don't need anything... after a 5K...

Ditch the pasty and chocolate though anyway...not a great idea, whether you run or not

[Hidden]

Hi. Like most of the guys say on here you don't really need extra calories but if, like me, you really want something to eat I find nakd bars r really good. They r quite high in calories but have no added rubbish in them. If you are looking to lose weight as well Slimming World is really good - they sell Hi Fi bars which r good post-exercise. Good luck!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Hidden]

I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but Slimming World is a multi million pound business which is ripping people off by selling them stuff that they do not need, to keep them caught in an endless cycle of losing/gaining weight.

You do not need their products after exercise. Just drink some water.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Fair comment. I was just trying to help - not trying to sell it - honestly! It worked well for me - & it's great if u can lose weight on your own but I'm afraid some of us aren't that strong & I needed a little help from a support group. I have no commercial interest in Slimming World whatsoever.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Hidden]

My comment was not meant as criticism of you, but I do have strong feelings about the slimming industry, which exploits that very weakness you mention.

If it works for you, fine, but it seems like a hugely profitable and morally dubious revolving door to an outsider.

[RobW73 Graduate]

Personally, I never feel hungry straight after exercise. However, I do always make sure I drink enough. In the early stages, try to have a half pint to pint of water to fill your stomach.

I am planning to do this programme after work, so I do tend to get hungry a little later on, before dinner is ready. To take the edge off, I just have a raw carrot cut into batons that I can pick at. That seems to work for me.

If you get hungry straight afterwards, you could try preparing some in a bowl of water to have on your return?

Good luck. I started this week (R2 tonight), so I will follow your progress.