Protein after weights

[jesslcochran]

I'm going back to raw. When we get paid (either tomorrow or Sat) I'm going back. Hopefully this time for keeps because it's the best way for me to eat.

Only problem I have is that I've been weight training for a few weeks now. I had a problem because I wasn't getting enough protein (on a SAD diet). I started getting dizzy and started having trouble lifting weights. I took a break for a few days. I think part of it is that I overtrained and part is that I'm not getting enough protein.

My husband thinks I should try protein suppliments (like Muscle Milk). I would rather not have to do this. I would rather be 100% raw. But I can't eat a bunch of nuts every day (gives me a tummy ache).

Are there any raw ways to up my protein?

I work out before breakfast.

Any advice you could give would be really helpful.

*hugs*
Jess

[michigan roman]

ide grind alot of sesame seeds to add to fruit smoothies with bananas

[TaupeRawMan]

You could try hemp protein powder. 15g per 4T.

[sport]

I recall listening to an interview that Kevin Gianni did with a raw athlete and he said that the time that you take the most nutrients in is after a workout so it is very important what you take as it is very absorbable.
He thought that it was the best time to take green smoothies.
I think that his name was Richard Blackman

[sport]

http://agingcarereviews.com/professional-athlete-richard-blackman-shares-his-journey-to-fruitariansim

It may be in this.

[jesslcochran]

Michigan Roman...Do sesame seeds have enough protein in them? I know in sunflower seeds the protein is very low. I don't know about other seeds.

TaupeRawMan...do you have any hemp protein powders that you recommend? I want something that is either tasty or that I can put in a smoothie without making the smoothie all gross.

Sport, thanks for sharing the link with me. It was interesting. I love green smoothies. My fav is banana/spinnach. I don't really know many others. The few that I've tried (experimenting) really didn't taste good. lol

*hugs to all*
Jess

[Revvell]

How do you know it was protein? Maybe you were dehydrated and missing metabolites or something. suggestion ~ before or after training, drink some coconut water fresh from the coconut and see if that helps.

btw ~ it's not "protein" so much as amino acids which create the usable protein. You might wish to go to YouTube and see what endurance athlete Tim VanOrden has to say about "The Protein Myth".

I'm an athlete and the last thing I concern myself with is protein. Here's a vid of me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxx1yKNUznQ) after 90 minutes of a rather intense workout with no concern about how much protein I get.

[snoops]

When I started doing weights, especially squats and deadlifts which are very intense moves, I would get light headed. I asked a couple people because I was scared I would have a heart attack:). Most said I was just not used to doing the deep moves and my body would get used to it. It was true. It took as couple months but I do not get light headed anymore.

And more important than proteins for weight training is carbs. My trainer says I should be trying to get in 60-80 grams of good quality carbs a couple hours before a workout. They provide the energy.

Obviously the proteins are important too for muscle building and repair. We posted at the same time Revvell. I also do not concern myself with proteins. Just assume I get enough in what I normally eat.

[SekhemNefer]

Okay so what do you consumer as in carbs or protein for weight training?

[sport]

. Here's a vid of me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxx1yKNUznQ) after 90 minutes of a rather intense workout with no concern about how much protein I get.

That looks good. I do not think that I could keep that swinging for 20 secs.

[jesslcochran]

Thanks guys. I did read somewhere about how amino acids help the body produce protein or something.

The light headedness could've been anything. I had seen a doctor about it and she had me get blood drawn. I am slightly anemic so I've started taking a suppliment to help with that (plus I started having my banana/spinnach smoothies again).

It could also have been, like what snoops said, just that I'm not used to the weights. All I know is that I couldn't do the same weight I had been doing. My muscles felt as though they just didn't want to work and I felt light headed. *shrugs* I've been doing some researching and found that it could also be that I overtrained. I had been pushing myself and my body wasn't used to exercise. *shrugs*

*hugs* Thanks for all the replies guys.
Jess

[Revvell]

*hugs* Thanks for all the replies guys.
Jess


How 'bout us women??? ;)

[Revvell]

That looks good. I do not think that I could keep that swinging for 20 secs.

Yeah, well, had to build up to it. Started with 1# clubs, 2# clubs, 5# clubs, etc. The mace was a big jump yet an exciting one. I now have a 20# club and admire my friends who are swinging them as I do a 15#'er. Guess I'll be doing that soon if I keep at it. Thanks for checking out the vid.

[snoops]

Okay so what do you consumer as in carbs or protein for weight training?

Fruit has lots of carbs. I have a fruit smoothie in the morning. I sometimes eat oatmeal (not raw, but I see recipes for raw oatmeal here). It has a lot of carbs.
Any sprouted grains would have high carbs. Quinoa has 33 grams per 1/4 cup raw. Larabars have 20-25 grams.

Like I said before I don't worry about protein. I am building muscles just fine without worrying about it. If I wasn't I might worry:)

[Revvell]

Raw food. Carbs, amino acids, fats, are contained in every raw food we eat. Just eat a variety and you'll get what you need. Nothing special needs to be done.


Okay so what do you consumer as in carbs or protein for weight training?

[shine72]

Jess, I highly doubt it's the protein. I don't pay any attention to protein and am building muscle just fine right now with weight training. The thing I do have to watch out for, even being raw, is my blood sugar is very low first thing in the morning. I found that out years ago when I was in the Army and they were trying to figure out while I was passing out in the middle of running!:eek: I would get dizzy and light-headed and just go down for the count. I was hoping raw would help with that, but I forgot to eat before I went and trained last week and it happened all over again.

What I do to avoid that, is I eat before I train. Not a lot. Maybe a banana, or sometimes just 1 or 2 dates. I can get through about an hour and a half workout including cardio and weight training on just that, with no dizziness, no being light headed, and no danger of going down for the count again.

So I think low protein is probably the least of what you should be looking at. :)

[jesslcochran]

Shine. Thanks. I think you're right about it being a blood sugar thing. Perhaps.

I don't usually eat before going to the gym. I prefer to eat after. I think from now on I'll have a fruit smoothie or something before and see if that helps.

*hugs*
Jess

[Dimond]

One of the best things I've found when exercising is to have a smoothie beforehand and after. I usually make 2-24 oz jars and instead of consuming them at once, I'll split them since I know I'm usually needing something after.

[shine72]

Shine. Thanks. I think you're right about it being a blood sugar thing. Perhaps.

I don't usually eat before going to the gym. I prefer to eat after. I think from now on I'll have a fruit smoothie or something before and see if that helps.

*hugs*
Jess

Hope it works out well for you! :D Hugs back! :)

[RawSar]

I saw my naturopath today and for the past 2 months I have been having trouble with lifting weights as well, I can never keep working out till I feel the burn because my arm after so many reps (10-15 using 5-8pounds) felt like it was paralyzed almost. I could not lift anymore. My arm stopped working.
Turns out I had a huge not in the back of my neck that was affecting the rest of my muscles.
He made some adjustments to my neck and I will be going back to see my chiro and massage therapist regularly again.

[jesslcochran]

The more I think about it the more I think the problem I had was a cross between mild dehydration and overtraining. I was pushing myself too hard. I've trimmed my routine a bit so I don't overdo it again. Also I'm making sure I'm getting enough water (I have a nasty habit of waiting till I'm really thirsty before I drink).

*hugs* and many thanks you guys (and gals)!
Jess

[rajagiri]

try out with healthdrinks

[LiveLife]

A lot of people are saying what I would have said but just one thing to add: Have the nuts you are eating been soaked? I noticed that if I eat lots of raw unsoaked nuts I can get very sick. Soaked raw nuts or cooked nuts are okay for my tummy. Just something to think about.

[cara4art]

Great replies by many here, but I'll add what has been helpful to me - green smoothies with both hemp protein and chia seeds - awesome combo! Chia seeds in particular really help with endurance and strength and it is said that they were given to Aztec runners who had to go long distances. In Alissa's book(which I had the chance to read thoroughly while on my vacation in Hawaii)she does go into the info about how it's amino acids that are important for muscle building and repair. Guess where tons of them are found - green smoothies(Vegan4Life, are you out there??)and with a couple of additions that powers them up even more. Just be sure to get enough good food, and yes, blood sugar issues and hydration are very important. If one is dehydrated, muscle cramps set in, for one thing - not good when working out!
I will say however, that the first few weeks I was doing raw, I did feel weaker in the gym, but I chalk that up to detox, even though my previous diet wasn't THAT bad. I've also found that I've gotten BETTER results in the gym than back in the days when I was eating lots of animal protein.

[Rose Goddess]

I actually did an e-zine article on this subject
http://EzineArticles.com/?id=2411308
Specifically for muscle toning and building, I find Chia is an amazing superfood to take before or after workouts. Many raw foodists have reported feeling stronger by adding chia into their life style. Yemiah Favor . . . a 30 year raw foodist who works out over 2 hours a day . . . (already a sexy fit lady) started adding chia into her daily eating and immediately found her workouts to be so much more effective, and her muscles more lean and strong:)

YOu can add chia into your smoothies. And you actually receive more nutrition when you soak them a little first . . . . creating a jell like consistency.

Here is an awesome chia pudding recipe:
1 cup chia seeds, soaked in 7 cups water to make chia gel
Jelly meat from 2 young coconuts
3/4 cup agave
5 Tbsp. raw carob powder
Seeds of 1 vanilla bean
1/4 tsp. sea salt

Soak chia in large mixing bowl in water overnight to make chia gel. Stir well. Place 2 cups chia gell in a blender. Add coconut meat, agave, vanilla, carob and salt. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Pour mixture back into bowl with chia gel, stir well. Can be stored in your fridge for 3-4 days.