If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I'm going back to the gym tonight... after a LONG hiatus..

I get home from work at like 7:30/8.. so I'll be going to the gym at like 8:30/9... when do I eat dinner? I don't want to eat as soon as I get home right before the gym because I hate working out on a full stomach, but I also don't want to eat when I get home at like 10...

What do you do?

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Can you eat at work? I would eat around 5 5:30 ish.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

This is our problem, too. DH and I run together and by the time we come back, it's past 7, we shower and start making dinner and when we finally eat, it's 8:30. Bad habit. This is one reason why I want to start running in the am.

Can you have a light healthy snack, like a banana or apple?
Do you drive or take the train?
What time are you done with work?
How long is your commute?
Are you doing this alone or with a spouse/SO?

These are all things to factor in. Also, how many nights are you doing this? For these nights, I'd suggest bigger lunches and breakfasts with food combos that will give you enough energy so that when you come home, you can eat a lighter dinner, like a salad or sandwich.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I eat after my evening runs...but sometimes I need a snack to hold me over.

If you can eat at work that would be a good option...if not - think of it as a European meal - the Spaniards don't eat dinner until 10 or 11

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I can't really eat at work.

I take the train home and don't want to grab some unhealthy option in Penn.

I can probably inhail dinner before going to the gym, but how long are you honestly supposed to wait after eating before you work out?

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Now that I don't teach, I come home around 6. We run around 7 and then make dinner. I always always exercise first and then eat. I don't want to get sick.

Are you going to the gym every day? I suggest you make big meals and eat the leftovers on gym days. Yes, it will be late, but at least you don't have to cook after coming home from the gym so late.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Another suggestion: can you go straight from work to the gym (bring gym clothes to work?) Maybe this would save time.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

The going straight to the gym idea is good. Especially if you don't have to bring your bag with you.

OK, another thought. I, too, am trying to figure out when to time things. Since we aren't running that often, I try to keep the nights we run dinners easy. One thing I did today was prep everything so that when we come back, all I have to do is make the meal. Another thought is that is take out night/leftover night/soup and salad night.

Rather than get something unhealthy at Penn, can you keep something in your bag? granola bar? trail mix?

To answer your question, I like to wait an hour after eating. For me, I find that I either get cramps/stitches or have had gastro issues from not waiting.

Message edited 7/14/2009 6:36:40 PM.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

i usually eat dinner before (about 1 or 2 hrs before) and dinner is a smoothie on the nights i work out. it's light enough that it doesn't upset your stomach during working out and yet gives enough energy to sustain the activity!

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I don't get off the train until 6:30 and I head stright to the gym and then get home around 8:15 pm. DH and I eat dinner late around 9pm but we don't go to sleep around midnight either.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I eat after the gym so like 9pm. I just try not to eat carbs for dinner. Try to keep it to proteins/veggies and you will be fine.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Ok, so I got home at like 7:30, ate right away, changed and went to the gym at 8:45.. I had no stomach issues or cramping, so this seemed to work for me!!

I would go to the gym straight from the train, but the womens locker room is being renovated and it's closed for the month!!

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I USED to eat at work, a lean cuisine or sandwich at like 5:30. Then commute home and either change at home or the gym and eat something light a little later on (veggies or a protein bar).

If you wait too long to eat, you may be famished and eat too much you know? So at least have something little when you get home or try to have your dinner before.

I personally would rather eat before but we never have time. Instead we work out and after the gym I will make dinner while DH showers and then we eat and then I shower.

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Can you eat at work around 4 or so? Then you could eat like a granola bar on the way to the gym or around 7-7:30. You should always have carbs before your workout I read.

Good for you for getting back into it!

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

I am a night gym person. DH and I usually eat around 8 and it is rare for me to go to the gym before 9:30. I often go from 10-11. I know it is late, but that is the only time I have!

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

DH and I are used to eating dinner late anyway b/c he works in Manhattan and doesn't get home until 8ish. So if I go to the gym straight from work, which I usually do, we are usually eating dinner between 8:30-9. Not the greatest thing to do, but we don't have a choice!

Re: If you work-out at night.. when do you eat dinner?

i eat my dinner after my work out as well... i usually wind up eating around 730 or 8pm, and then take my dogs for a walk immediately following. it makes me feel better to not be completely stagnant after eating up until bed. does this make a difference? probably not, but i like to tell myself it does!