Preparing Your Pre Workout Meal

As we are all aware a good muscle building diet is critical to build muscle mass. The timing of your meals is also important. Around two hours prior to your workout is when I recommend you eat your meal.This should provide plentyof time to so that you don’t start your workout when you are bloated or still feeling full and sluggish.

Ideally this preworkout meal should be something that you are used to and that you know won’t make you feel heavy and bloated as you want to be at your best to give your all in the gym. You should try to include some slow burning energy such as oatmeal but make sure that you have some protein first. You risk making yourself lethargic if you consume the protein after the carbohydrate. This occurs as both the protein and carbohydrate cause the body to release specific chemicals that have differing affects. Protein stimulates the release of tyrosine which signals your brain to be alert and energetic as opposed to the carbohydrate which stimulates the release of tryptophan and instructs the brain to make you feel tired. Therefore always take on the carbohydrate second.

If you really want to know how to build muscle fast then great advice is to drink a protein and carbohydrate shake about half an hour before you workout. This will really boost your energy levels for your gym session. Ingredients should include whey protein, maltodextrin, wxymaize or dextrose. Try to shoot for about 25 grams of protein and about 40 grams worth of carbohydrate. Doing this will boost your insulin levels which is one of the bodies most powerful muscle building hormones. What’s more it will also reduce the production of cortisol which has a negative affect on building muscle.

Remember that spending time in the gym when you start your session already hungry and lethargic is not likely to make it a productive session. Always try to keep fruit or meal replacement powders or bars to hand should you ever not have time for a proper solid pre-workout meal.

Try and wean yourself off the coffee with green tea which has many more health benefits whilst also providing some caffeine. Finally, don’t forget to keep taking on board the water, this is critical too. Ok bear those things in mind and you’ll be hitting the gym in peak mode for an awesome muscle stimulating workout which you will be able to grow from because you will have had the correct muscle building nutrition.