I crave salty snacks after working out...

[Jeff7181]

... what does that mean? Should I be drinking more water before? Less? Am I not getting enough sodium?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
... what does that mean? Should I be drinking more water before? Less? Am I not getting enough sodium?

You need to hydrate yourself better on a regular basis throughout the day before and the day of, not just before. Salt makes you retain water. Having a craving for salty food usually means your body is running low on hydration levels. Start bringing a container to work that you have to drink x amount of per day. It will put you on a sort of schedule and will reduce likelihood of injury and will hopefully improve your workouts.

 

[StageLeft]

I crave sugar like a freaking meth junkie. Except for sugar.

 

[Kipper]

What kind of workout are we talking about here? How much do you sweat?

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Kipper
What kind of workout are we talking about here? How much do you sweat?

It's basically a modified version of what my physical therapist had me doing. I do stretch, do cardio for 5 minutes, do heel raises, lunges, squats (without weights)... I repeat that multiple times depending on how I feel that day. I usually repeat that three times, after the first time I've got a pretty good sweat going. By the time I'm done I've got sweat dripping.

I drink an 8-10 oz. glass of water an hour or so before I start, another one when I'm doing my cooldown stretching/walking. Then 2-3 more after I shower. (sometimes I drink a bottle of Gatorade/Powerade instead of the 2-3 glasses of water after my shower)

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Kipper
What kind of workout are we talking about here? How much do you sweat?

It's basically a modified version of what my physical therapist had me doing. I do stretch, do cardio for 5 minutes, do heel raises, lunges, squats (without weights)... I repeat that multiple times depending on how I feel that day. I usually repeat that three times, after the first time I've got a pretty good sweat going. By the time I'm done I've got sweat dripping.

I drink an 8-10 oz. glass of water an hour or so before I start, another one when I'm doing my cooldown stretching/walking. Then 2-3 more after I shower. (sometimes I drink a bottle of Gatorade/Powerade instead of the 2-3 glasses of water after my shower)

Firstly, drinking an hour beforehand doesn't really effect your hydration levels throughout the cells in your body. You need to hydrate well at least 12 hours before you work out. Also, 3-4 cups of water is not very much for someone who is active and sweating quite a bit. Some people suggest doing half of your body weight in ounces. I feel that is a decent estimation or at least a goal amount to drink. You aren't drinking enough and you aren't staying hydrated on the daily. If you fix that, your cravings will decrease, I'm sure.

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

It's basically a modified version of what my physical therapist had me doing. I do stretch, do cardio for 5 minutes, do heel raises, lunges, squats (without weights)... I repeat that multiple times depending on how I feel that day. I usually repeat that three times, after the first time I've got a pretty good sweat going. By the time I'm done I've got sweat dripping.

I drink an 8-10 oz. glass of water an hour or so before I start, another one when I'm doing my cooldown stretching/walking. Then 2-3 more after I shower. (sometimes I drink a bottle of Gatorade/Powerade instead of the 2-3 glasses of water after my shower)

Okay, we're not talking a serious endurance workout. In your case there is probably little harm in drinking plenty of water since the worst that will happen is you might have to pee during your workout.

As SC suggested remaining hydrated throughout the day is imperative. Keep in mind even after working out if you are sweating a lot it can take several hours to return to fluid balance, so continue drinking even after your workout is done.

 

[skace]

When I get back from hiking I crave the entire refrigerator 🙂. I want to eat an entire cow. And everything I eat tastes 10x better.

For what it's worth, a smoothie after working out is a great way to curb your immediate cravings. They can be incredibly filling.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: skace
When I get back from hiking I crave the entire refrigerator 🙂. I want to eat an entire cow. And everything I eat tastes 10x better.

For what it's worth, a smoothie after working out is a great way to curb your immediate cravings. They can be incredibly filling.

This is me also, the farther I go the hungrier I am when I'm done. And I find the smoothie thing works best for me, too. I go with 6 oz of Chocolate Silk, one scoop of protein powder, and 4 oz of fat free/sugar free vanilla yogurt. That's all the carbs and protein I need to replenish after a strenuous workout whether it be a run or a strength session. My rate of recovery has increased dramatically since I came up with that concoction.

Oddly, even though I am an extremely salty sweater I don't crave salt when I'm done... I guess I get enough in my normal diet.

 

[polarmystery]

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: skace
When I get back from hiking I crave the entire refrigerator 🙂. I want to eat an entire cow. And everything I eat tastes 10x better.

For what it's worth, a smoothie after working out is a great way to curb your immediate cravings. They can be incredibly filling.

This is me also, the farther I go the hungrier I am when I'm done. And I find the smoothie thing works best for me, too. I go with 6 oz of Chocolate Silk, one scoop of protein powder, and 4 oz of fat free/sugar free vanilla yogurt. That's all the carbs and protein I need to replenish after a strenuous workout whether it be a run or a strength session. My rate of recovery has increased dramatically since I came up with that concoction.

Oddly, even though I am an extremely salty sweater I don't crave salt when I'm done... I guess I get enough in my normal diet.

I drink two scoops of whey mixed with powdered gatorade about 30min PWO (dextrose, not HFCS) and even then I'm friggin starving. I just wait an hour after and have dinner.

 

[Megatomic]

Between the soy protein in the silk and the protein in the yogurt I only need one scoop of whey. I don't want to get big, I just don't want to lose what I've got.