I just recently gave birth to my first child 5 weeks ago and of course while I was pregnant I consumed more calories then normal. I am now back to my normal rountine and looking to gain some lean muscle. I only gained 15lbs and I am alredy below my pre-pregnancy weight. It was easy to get back into my workout routine but I am now struggling with what to eat pre and post workout. I have read many articles stating that you should consume a whey protein with a slow digestive carb 30-60mins before your workout and consume a whey protein with a fast digestive carb such as a gatorade, white bread, bagels with jelly or honey etc... So this morning I woke up around 630am ate 1/2cup of oatmeal with 1 scoop of Muscle Provider trained at 8am and immedately after my workout around 930am I ate 1/2 a bagel with 1tbs of jelly and 2 scoops of muscle of provider. Then at 12pm I ate 2 cups of spinach with 5oz chicken and 1tbs of flax oil. My question is, am I doing the right thing and should I believe and follow everythinig I read. I need some help with what I should eat before triaining ( I train at 8am) and what to consume after I train ( I train a for about an hour) then what should follow after my postwork out snack.

What you didnt isnt to bad actually.

If it were me Id have my usual eggs and oats and then pre workout Id have top round steak and white potato. Top round is full of aminos which will create that spike and white potato will also spike you, but I KNOW they are better choices than a bagel. I admit Im in the minority on this though. I like what you are doing better than that waxy maize **** or whatever it is.

Then just eat every 2-3 hrs thereafter. Ultimately I thikn its about the total caloric intake and quality throughout the day rather than how soon you eat your next meal after your post workout meal.

Just my two cents.

Thanks Jason! Ok here is my next question. Below I have listed my daily diet and I was wondering if I should eat a meal with a low GI carb after my postwork out meal?
630am: 1/2 cup of oats 1 scoop of MP
8am: TRAIN
930am: 2 scoops of MP and 1/2 bagel with 1tbs of jelly
12pm: 2 cups of spinach w/tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers 5oz chicken and tbs of flax
3pm: 5oz turkey 1 cup of veggies and 1/2cup of brown rice or a medium sweet potatoe
6pm: 4oz tilapi 2 cups of veggies
9pm: 1 scoop of UMP with 1tbs of almond butter

Should I switch my 12pm and 3pm meals? And should I consisder the pre and post workout as a meal or snack?

I wouldn't call them snacks. Definetly meals. All your meals look pretty good and the rotation doesn't look bad at all. I don't think there would be any benefit to switching meals 3
+ 4 around, just as long as you get them in.

I gotta say, I don't like the post workout meal. I am more with J on that one. I don't think there is ever any room for breads on any diet. More of a cheat meal than anything is what I consider from any bread products..... like Pizza!! YUMMM!!

Anyways, I know you are probably concerned with time efficiency and so you are drinking a shake and eating a quick carb, but if you can manage, try a whole food meal? I know J does Top round and white potato, I usually do 6oz ground sirloin and 1.5 cups cooked Brown rice, 1/4 cup red beans and I haven't looked back!

I never did believe in the whole post-workout insulin spiking theory with high glycemic carbs. Sustained release and slower digestion is a much more logical theory. With that I would advise you do a lower glycemic or fibrous source post-workout...

Just my opinion, different strokes for different folks!

Thanks Vijay! My husband is just like you he doesn't believe the in the insulin spike as well. I have only been training for about 2 years now and I am still learning, but my husband of course has been training for over 20 years now and I should probably listen to him. Do you think my pre-workout meal is good or should I use eggs instead of MP? For my postwork out meal I am not big on beef and I can get a whole meal in I jsut always heard that MP was best to have post-workout? I am having a complex carb after my workout should I still have the complex carb in my 3pm meal or just do 2 cups of veggies?

Hey Penny! Actually MP is pretty good if you just wake up and plan on training right away! So good choice there. Post-workout try to get a whole food meal in (Chicken or Tuna and a Sweet potato). I would keep it all the same as you have it with meals 3 + 4. They look good and in good order. I always try to spread my carbs out at every other meal kinda like how you have yours. Looks great Penny, keep it up!