So, I had a first meeting with a trainer today. She had me do some basic moves and my blood sugar plummeted. I almost passed out. I will be 5 weeks post op on Wednesday. I eat very few carbs, mostly because I don't tolerate them well. Do you guys have any suggestions on slow digesting carbs I can eat early in the day before working out? I don't really like oatmeal very much. Thanks for any help!

Thanks Ms.AntiBand. Also, what about swimming? I like to swim a mile about 3-5 times a week.

I am kind of late to the party here, but I will offer what my personal trainer told me a few weeks ago. She suggested to try and just balance the macro nutrients before a training session. If you also supplement with amino acids from a pre workout drink or capsules, then you will be much stronger and faster during your workout. It works every time for me. Back to pre workout food. A good meal I have before my cross fit sessions is 3 oz chicken and 2 apple quarters with 2 tbsp of nut butter. It gives me a lot of good energy for cross fit, which is intense. The apples also give me good restriction so i feel "full" without wanting anything else. your body requires good carbs and fats to optimally break protein into the amino acid chains for your lean muscle. If it is another workout like a run or strength training at home, I may have a couple energy squares from nuts.com (also a good balance of good carbs, fat and protein). Remember to always eat/drink a good protein based food such as a bar or shake after your work out in order to benefit from the rapid transport of nutrients, including amino chains, into the muscles.

How soon can you start doing exercises involved your core? Sit-ups' date=' leg lifts, etc?[/quote']

You or others may not agree with my response, but I say wait until 6 months post op before you get into serious core work to prevent any complications during the typical window of concern. For me, I started around month 7 and then slowly increased my core work until today where it is pretty crazy intense. I still wonder if I am going to pop a gasket doing intense core work. Any thoughts from others on this? I am 11 months out now and so far so good, knock on wood...

That's what I'm thinking. I suppose I could ask my doc and just stick to light resistance, cardio and swimming for awhile. My surgery date is 6/25. I'm getting a little nervous to be honest.

I usually don't eat anything before a workout. Some people may need something in their stomach before exercise, but I've noticed my workouts are better on an empty stomach. Not necessarily in a fasted state, just an empty stomach. If I eat something significant within 2 hours of my workout, I feel sluggish and sleepy. Ex: I get up in the morning and have a protein shake followed by some raw rolled oats about 15-20 minutes later around 7ish am. Then I go to work, lift at lunch (noon) and eat right after my workout at my desk. Now if I do cardio, I may eat a little closer to my workout, but still no less than 2 hours prior to the cardio. I would suggest trying a few things and see what works best for you. Trial and error has worked for me as long as I'm tuned into what my body is trying to tell me. Sometimes I slip up and tune it out.........and pay for it.

My trainer wanted me to have carbs other than fruit--she said preferably not fructose. I think part of my problem is that even if I eat perfectly' date=' I just can't get much in! Thanks for your response![/quote']

How about some oatmeal with Protein in it. Also, I make my shakes with milk so even if I didn't put fructose in it I have done carbs in it from lactose.

My trainer told me something small with carbs in it about a half hour before working out. So I usually do half an apple with 1 tbsp almond butter. When I go home I drink a Protein shake that I make with Water and not milk. He told me that some of the protein mixes are already derived from dairy so if you make the shake with milk instead of water you aren't getting that recovery and rebuild muscle protein you need. Instead it turns into a casein protein which is the longer lasting extended release.

All I know is I need a damn degree in biology and macro nutrition to understand this all! Everyone is so different!