Question about Carb intake before exercise w/trainer

[bigloser2014 144]

Hello all. Last couple of times I have felt extremely dizzy while working out with my trainer. My trainer who is also a certified nutritionist, does not know about my VSG. All he knows is that I am following a strict diet regimen for weight loss. When I got dizzy during my last session, he suggested that I take some form of complex carb an hour prior to the workout. I burn around 500-600 calories(per my polar monitor) in the half hour I work with him. He is suggesting a shake with fruit in it or some vegetables/whole grains. Anyone else ever have this issue? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

sweet potato, oatmeal, apple, lentils, sprouted grain breads. whole fat yogurt mixed with fruit. combining with fat will give you a slower burn. avoid processed carbs and nonfat or low fat carbs...

make sure you are well hydrated too.. not enough fluids can make you dizzy.

Edited July 3, 2014 by moonlitestarbrite

[Gettinfit 13]

I had this same problem. While food shopping and other normal activities I would suddenly feel lightheaded and my mouth felt like a desert! My doctor told me to eat carbs....the good carbs. Whole grain bread and whole grain Pasta are my go to carbs. He also said cream of wheat was ok. Your body needs glucose. A quick fix is O.J. if you are in a jam but would not be a good daily choice. Hope this helps

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

you want to choose unprocessed complex carbs that have a low glycemic load.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/

good article.

[Josh2xh 70]

I share your problems at the gym. But i knew it was very important to let my trainer know what was going on with me and my surgery. This didn't prevent an episode (I passed out for a few minutes). I found out that when I perform an exercise that puts my head below my waist I get light headed. So my trainer just tailored my workouts to avoid this.

[Bombs 353]

You should tell your trainer. I shared mine with my trainer particularly in case of an emergency. I don't want to end up in an ambulance and the medical professionals not knowing about my sleeve.

[slvrsax 301]

I take a functional strength class with a lot of lunges/squats, the first time I tried the class I nearly passed out. On my strength class days I up my carb intake to 50-60 grams, 20 grams of that being within 30 minutes of class, usually via Quest bar. This helps me a lot.

[DSMCasey 15]

I only burn about 450 calories in an hour long workout, but I mostly workout at 75% heart rate, just trying to drop weight faster and tone up a little. Anyway, I went to the farmers market last weekend and grabbed a bunch of fruits and even some nice dried fruits as I was having the same issue. I eat some blueberries, a greek yogurt, and sometimes a dried peach over several hours before heading to the gym. Problem I have is I don't always have several hours to eat all that stuff before I go to the gym. Most of the time I go in the morning before work so I try and get the yogurt in at the very least and it seems to help.

Good luck!

[livvsmum 2,369]

Yes, I struggle with the same issues in my running. Before I do a long run I have to have some version of complex carbs. Some that others have listed here will work fine. Sweet potato, banana, whole grains, Peanut Butter on toast. They are not things I would add to my diet if I were not burning hundreds of calories on a run, but you have to fuel it from somewhere. Google bariathletes. There are lots of good things out there about nutrition for WLS athletes.

[MelBooks 76]

I make "breakfast cookies" that are a mix of oatmeal, almond butter, egg, banana and dried fruit that work well for me before a run. I'm training for a 1/2 marathon and I notice a huge difference if I don't eat a balance of carbs/fats/protein before I run.

This is the basic recipe I follow, although I change it a lot: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/06/18/breakfast-cookies/

I sub 1/2 the almond butter for 1 egg. I use a homemade date/dried fig puree (soak them over night then puree) for the apple butter and most of the maple Syrup (I still use 2 tbls of real maple sryup). We like them with dried wild blueberries, flax and hemp hearts. I also make them WAY smaller then the recipe calls for. I think it says it makes 10, and I usually get about 20.

[bigloser2014 144]

Thank you for all the great suggestions! I think I am burning more calories right now only because my heart works harder due to years of inactivity. Once it gets stronger, things will get better. I also like the food suggestions. I will try one today before my session.

As far telling the trainer about my surgery, once I am more comfortable with him in a few weeks, I plan on telling him.

Thanks again! Will keep you posted about how the workout goes today.

[livvsmum 2,369]

Oh! I also should have added just for clarification that I don't eat directly before a run or I get sick. I usually need a good 1.5-2 hours between food and a run.

[bigloser2014 144]

got it! I will eat around 4-4:30 pm. My session is at 6.

Oh! I also should have added just for clarification that I don't eat directly before a run or I get sick. I usually need a good 1.5-2 hours between food and a run.