Timing of Post Workout Shake

[Endo MD]

Quick question for you guys about post workout shake/food. Due to work schedule my workout is usually started around 5:30 pm. I hit the weights for about an hour then follow that up with 30-40 mins of moderate cardio.

I know the importance of post workout nutrition so I've been drinking my protein shake (40g of IsoPure and 40 g of Raisins) between the lifting and cardio. Basically a 10 minute break I give myself for the transition. My question is whether or not I should hold off on the shake until after cardio or my timing is good to get it in the body.

And to answer the first question... No, my stomach does not get upset from taking the protein shake before cardio.

Stats:
5'9'' 240lbs 22%
Goals:
5'9" 210lbs 15%ish for now

My primary focus right now is on losing fat as opposed to building mass but the strength gains are what really drives me.

 

[sawastea]

Your PWO shake is important within 30 min of training, err, weights.

Can you do cardio first thing in the a.m. and do your workouts in the p.m.? That is a better alternative, IMO

 

[Stryc-9]

The problem that I see with putting the post-workout shake before your cardio is that it will begin to replenish glycogen - which defeats the intent behind doing cardio immediately after weight training.

Personally, if I do weights and cardio together, I have always held off until after my cardio to have my shake - and I've never noticed muscle loss to any significant degree.

One other thing is that raisins aren't the best source of carbs...you might want something with less fructose....

 

[Babyfaced Assassin]

Yeah i agree with stryc about raisins, The aim of the post workout carbs is to fill muscle glycogen quick, fructose wont cause the necessary insulin spike to do this and will end up filling liver glycogen instead.

I take 50g of Glucose and 25g of whey post workout regardless whether it's Weights, Cardio or Thai/kick boxing (though if i have not trained > 45 minutes and dont feel totally like i've worked my ass off i have half the amount)
I do this the minute training finishes

 

[onerepmaximum]

How many times a week do you work out? If you could possibly reconfigure your schedule to allow you to seperate weight and cardio training, that would be great. Ideally different days, but if you have to, do one in the morning and one in the evening. If you're not able to do that, and since you are not trying to build muscle, perhaps you should do cardio first. That way you can do cardio on an empty stomach and don't have dillemma of when to have your recovery drink.

 

[Endo MD]

Thanks for your help guys. I have been planning to get rid of teh raisins post workout but I like the ability to eat somethign physical as opposed to drinking a shake. But eventually I'll get past that I'm sure.
I'd love to do the AM/PM split but it's really not possible. I"m residenting at a hospital and have to be there around 5:30 AM and there is no way I could get up earlier than the 4 am I do now. Maybe in a few years when this is done and I have my own practice I can move onto a proper split.