taking powerfull on an empty stomach

[whitecb1391]

I had work first thing in the morning today so I didn;t have time for breakfast so I took powerfull and hit the gym for cardio and really felt focused and energetic. Should I take powerfull on an empty stomach before lifting as well? On lifting days I normally eat breakfast (1 packet of oats and whey protein), take powerfull two hours later 30 min. before I workout. After Then my post workout meal is 48g of protein from Optimum nutrition whey/1 serving of cytocarb II/1 serving High Power creatine. As far as dosing goes I take Powerfull before I workout and before sleep. So should I wake up and take Powerfull and go to the gym? or eat something and wait an hour or two; take Powerfull and go to the gym?

Thanks,
Chris

[dexterium]

Definitely eat before your workout

[snagency]

yeah like Dex said. if the goal is lean muscle gain/bulking/recomp etc. the most optimal protocol is to fuel up with some food.

taking PF first thing and running fasted training upon rising is geared more to aggressive fat-loss strategy/cutting, and requires some other support supps (large BCAA dosing among others) to be incorporated if utilizing for an extended period.

one misunderstood concept of this method is that you will lack energy for the workout..as you experienced, fat oxidization will provide some energy in itself, and PF really shines thru in this usage.

rising fasted cardio w/ PF is an awesome protocol for fat-loss!

[whitecb1391]

thanks guys

[Thanatos]

How many times a week should I do fasted cardio? Does it make a difference if I do my weight training on the same day? How many hours between fasted cardio and weight training, given the need for a pre W/O meal?

I am in recomposition mode...

[snagency]

3-4x weekly for FC would be a nice amount.
if doing on weight days, I would do FC upon rising, then weights early afternoon (or 6-10hrs later).

[Thanatos]

Thanks Snag. What is your opinion on Fasted Cardio vs. immediate post W/O cardio (interval or steady state)? Also, could you recommend a good BCAA product to take prior to Fasted Cardio? BTW, I have been doing fasted Cardio 20 minutes after taking 2 Recreate and 3 PF and had plenty of energy for 30 minutes of cardio.

[snagency]

Originally Posted by Thanatos

Thanks Snag. What is your opinion on Fasted Cardio vs. immediate post W/O cardio (interval or steady state)?

oh I like both..if you're looking for maximum fat-loss, i do believe splitting them up to be the best option tho, and FC upon rising (ESP w/ RC+PF) is the best for fat-loss IMO.

Also, could you recommend a good BCAA product to take prior to Fasted Cardio? BTW, I have been doing fasted Cardio 20 minutes after taking 2 Recreate and 3 PF and had plenty of energy for 30 minutes of cardio.

awesome..for BCAA's, I'm a fan of Xtend..I also use PurpleWraath, and Core ABC is good stuff too..Xtend is used the most due to my available sourcing.

[snagency]

you can do fasted weight training upon rising too..check this out:

wake, take AP, 3 PF, 3 Prime, and 1-3 scoops Jack3d (I use 3 scoops myself)
15min later, begin sipping BCAA mix
[*this should be a powder mix like PurpleWraath or Xtend, and total consumption should be based on this formula:
bodyweight x .2g = total BCAA consumption pre/intra/postworkout]
15min later, begin training -- after having consumed 1/3 of BCAA drink to this point
drink another 1/3 of mix by halfway point of workout
at completion of training, finish last 1/3 of drink, and take another AP cap
15min later, have postWO nutrition/breakfast

while I use this particular schematic primarily for fat-loss, this will work for you as well in protecting muscle stores/recovery/growth due to AP's inducing fatty oxidization for energy..this will protect precious muscle tissue, and the BCAA's will act in synergism for this aspect as well as providing nutrients to cellular tissue.
waiting the 15min to eat after training will allow further absorption of aminos due to increased bloodflow, without disrupting the process by eating and hence directing bloodflow to the gut for digestion.