Counting calories: Do you count your recovery drink?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m reading Matt Fitzgeralds “Racing Weight” and in it he suggests not counting the calories you consume during exercise towards your overall dialy calorie consumption. But he doesn’t specifically mention the recovery drink. So for those of you that monitor your calorie consumption, do you count your recovery drink immediately after exercise?

Jason

2

I take in what I need to sustain myself every day without fail (or, generally, changes… what can I say, creature of habit)

I adjust my calories in dependent on what kind of workout I’ve done.

Generally I schedule my workouts so I’ll have a good meal AFTER I finish working out, but when I feel I’ve really beaten myself down I have a recovery shake/smoothie and don’t think too much about it.

Think of it as eating for Fuel and not for Fun and you’ll be fine. Diet is simple, it’s just not always easy.

3

I count everything, but since my calories per hour in training stay relatively the same (200-250), it is somewhat unnecessary. I include my recovery drink- which is always the same, the amount is just different, depending on how long/hard the ride was, and how soon I am eating real food.

-Physiojoe

4

why wouldn’t you count the recovery drink? if you are counting calories dont you count everything, i dont count, but it seems if you are going to pick and choose what you count it doesnt make sense. why not just not count part of your workouts as burning calories too?

and i’m not saying this with a mean tone, i have a smile on my face…just saying.

5

I had a N.Y. strip steak (med. rare) cut up into 14 pieces , with sweet potato fries to which I had 20 of them . Two ears of corn, biscuit and a bottle of water. At least I counted something. I did 27 miles on the bike average of 19.2 mph . Before that in morning I ran 7 miles and did 15 minutes core exercises after mopping the kitchen floor where my kid spilled a 2 gallon jug of apple juice.

6

Not sure why 99% of what you said was needed, but back to the topic. Honestly- IMO counting calories can be a dangerous thing. Chances are unless the workout was a true workout ie intervals, mile reps hard swim etc, you may not need a recovery shake. A glass of milk will one justice, or a fruit smoothie etc. If your wanting to loose weight then count the calories elsewhere, don’t skimp on post workout cals- the calories inbetween meals are the ones to cut back on.