Thai boxing and Youn Wha Ryu or "What have I gotten myself into?"

[McTahr]

So I'm an average build gimpy heart/lung out of shape gamer/physicist.

I decided it would be a fucking fantastic idea to sign up for Muay Thai boxing and Youn Wha Ryu martial arts in the same semester. For the next six weeks I'll spend four days a week slowly dying.

What I would like to know is a few pointers and tips for making my downtime more productive, as well as if it's possible to shorten the recovery time through special dieting / stretching or whatever.

Mind you I am mostly vegan. I'll do dairy/whatever will help but meat/fish/poultry is still out of the question.

Also suggestions in general for fitness because I don't own this thread. It is a collective clusterfuck of collaborative communication careening carefully close to complete candy because there's no way I can finish that.

(HIKYM because FIST! rar)

(Oh, and I'm also doing daily pilates because I get bitched at by my friend if I skip on her. Yes I do pilates, yes my initials are J. D., no I am not a doctor, but feel welcome to call me girl names anyway.)

[Bells]

Well here is the thing Priscilla...

First of all, you'll hurt for not having meat in your diet... at least until your body adapts to your situation.

Also, eat something before training. Nothing too light, but nothing too heavy either.

And you should consider allowing Eggs into your diet. Something like a hardboiled egg or even A fried egg a couple of times in the week, should be more than enough...

[McTahr]

Well here is the thing Priscilla...
Thanks Cox.

Also, eat something before training. Nothing too light, but nothing too heavy either.

And you should consider allowing Eggs into your diet. Something like a hardboiled egg or even A fried egg a couple of times in the week, should be more than enough...

Will do. And I've been borderline considering doing eggs again anyway because I figure that, logically, if a moral vegetarian believes in abortion, why not eat eggs? (I know, it's a completely different thing, but eh.)

[Azisien]

Mmmm 2 eggs for breakfast, every day, perfect start to the morning.

My recommendation for maximizing recovery is to not skimp on good old fashioned sleep. Sleep time is as important as exercise time, and your body will tell you to go fuck yourself if you really want to test otherwise.

[pochercoaster]

I second Bells on eggs and dairy if you are morally on board with it. Kickboxing and muay thai in particular are very intense sports (I did both for a period of time) and lots of calories are instrumental in recovery after that level of exercise. However, you want to be able to absorb these calories easily, and the more fibrous and complex the food, the longer and harder your body will have to work to absorb those calories. Eggs are broken down relatively easily and contain a good amount of the protein and fats you'll need.

Protein powder also works. I haven't researched the ingredients so I don't know if it's vegan or not but usually the primary ingredient is whey protein. Also, white bread is good for eating pre and post workout because it's easily digested. You want to have energy available while you're working out and (in my experience) eating highly fibrous foods does not provide this immediate energy. Oh, and slightly sugary drinks like powerade or vitamin water or what have you are good. Bonus points if you can find a drink without HFCS, but don't sweat it if you consume a little bit of HFCS when the rest of your diet (presumably) is fine.

Again, more of my personal experience: sucrose is good right after you work out because it shuts down the stress hormones that make you feel like crap and ultimately make recovery a bitch. I mean, don't eat a bucket of sugar or anything, but like... have some pineapple! Pineapple is delicious and has tons of sucrose. Or (gasp) maybe a doughnut. Or some ice cream (also high in protein and fat!) A lot of people emphasize protein after you workout, but sugar is also important. However, everyone is different- try to eat intuitively.

Just, don't starve yourself, whatever you do. Your body needs fuel!

Edit: WTF I forgot that whey is dairy. Lulz.

[Krylo]

Again, more of my personal experience: sucrose is good right after you work out because it shuts down the stress hormones that make you feel like crap and ultimately make recovery a bitch. I mean, don't eat a bucket of sugar or anything, but like... have some pineapple! Pineapple is delicious and has tons of sucrose. Or (gasp) maybe a doughnut. Or some ice cream (also high in protein and fat!) A lot of people emphasize protein after you workout, but sugar is also important. However, everyone is different- try to eat intuitively

I've read a tall glass of chocolate milk immediately after a work out is a good combination of the crap you need to recover quickly, and that you should save the protein for a bit (hour or two? Something like that) after that, when your body is more ready to absorb it.

But that's just what I've read and I don't really work out or whatever, so take it with a grain of salt.

[Cloud Strife]

Protein and high-carb foods are best consumed within 30 minutes of the end of your workout. If you're looking to build muscle, you'll probably want to increase your protein consumption by about 100g per day. Bags of powdered whey protein would come in handy at this point. It is expensive, but if you're doing this for a whole semester then having a giant bag from Costco or other similar wholesale places is the best option.

[Azisien]

Unless there's some huge price disparity for whey where we live, whey powder is definitely not expensive. I mean, it is an additional expense if one decides to use it, but try making up that amount of protein in meat, and then you'll learn what expensive is.

[rpgdemon]

Be careful about protein powder: It's possible to have too much, and have very negative side effects. My younger brother was on a crazy, "I'm going to build muscle and such" kick recently, and was drinking a protein shake a day. He ended up becoming lactose intolerent, because of the sudden spike in lactose intake, I'm assuming.

I'd like to point out, you mean vegetarian, not vegan. Lacto-ovo vegetarian, if you're eating eggs/dairy. And people who say fish or poultry isn't meat are stupid. I don't know why it always takes clarifying that they are meat.

[Ryong]

All I can say is:

Muay Thai?

I hope you like the initial year of hardening.

[McTahr]

I'd like to point out, you mean vegetarian, not vegan. Lacto-ovo vegetarian, if you're eating eggs/dairy. And people who say fish or poultry isn't meat are stupid. I don't know why it always takes clarifying that they are meat.

Clarifying. I'm on a phone so the rest gets done later. I am currently full vegan and know what the terms mean, damnit. I've not had an egg in six years. What I'm saying is that if it'll make things temporarily easier I'm okay with "downgrading" to just vegetarian.

[Azisien]

Be careful about protein powder: It's possible to have too much, and have very negative side effects. My younger brother was on a crazy, "I'm going to build muscle and such" kick recently, and was drinking a protein shake a day. He ended up becoming lactose intolerent, because of the sudden spike in lactose intake, I'm assuming.

Should probably switch brands or something. I drink 1-2 a day for over 2 years now and the only ill effect has been that some taste like shit. In my research on it I was concerned about possible heavy metal intake, but you have to go pretty insane amounts for that, which is not less than 100g/day.

I also recommend Chicken Parmesan.

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/still/scott_pilgrim_vs_the_world41.jpg

[rpgdemon]

Clarifying. I'm on a phone so the rest gets done later. I am currently full vegan and know what the terms mean, damnit. I've not had an egg in six years. What I'm saying is that if it'll make things temporarily easier I'm okay with "downgrading" to just vegetarian.

Well, you should have said that. I'm a vegetarian who eats eggs/milk, and people keep calling me vegan because I don't eat fish or something stupid, and I get angry at them.

[McTahr]

Yeah. Pretty much the issue with whey proteins and the like is if I insisting on remaining vegan during this period they'd be out of the question. Almost any protein powder is going to have milk proteins.

I might actually do a comparison of the nutrients in milk vs. substitutes and test that. Normally I just rely on legumes and nuts for protein, but even then vegan bodybuilding is technically a "thing", I just don't know anything about it.

Re: Morals. I'm actually not a vegan for moral reasons, so it's not going to just break my heart over all dem lil' animals if I slip in order to keep from hurting myself. I still refuse meat. Especially chicken parmesan.

Sleep is probably the thing I need to keep up on most. I'm prone to pulling all-nighters because why not and then binge-sleeping other times to make up for it. Perhaps a good habit to break. Perhaps.

Also sorry if I sounded bitchy there, RPG. When you have to explain your diet at least once a day for years and then someone accuses you of not knowing it, you know, words happen. My original wording was a bit misleading and I apologize.

[rpgdemon]

You can use pea protein powder, instead of whey, if you want to remain vegan.

[Odjn]

Tahr: "I only eat plants." DIET EXPLANATION SOOOOOOLVED.

If you're willing to do the chocolate milk thing, do so because it does help, but watch the carb/protein ratio as some milks have a ton of extraneous sugars to make it taste better.

Protein powder shakes with fruit juice/water/actual fruits will help. In fact, I'd recommend those before chocolate milk since they still taste good, have natural sugars, fiber for poopin', and a lot of protein that doesn't conflict with your diet

The numbers I have heard consistently quoted from people I trust is that having 20% to 25% of your daily calorie intake be from proteins. This will mean a lot of protein shakes, because vegan food is terrible at getting you a lot of protein. Nuts are good for adding some protein, but they have a lot of calories and while you're exercising a lot, I don't like adding in calories you probably won't need. Eat a sweet potato or something for that.

[McTahr]

Just got back from the first night of Youn Wha Ryu. It wasn't nearly as demanding as Muay Thai, but still a rather intense cardio session with sprinkled in strength and quite a few technique drills.

The interbutts say as long as I avoid light versions and start up a B12 supplement chocolate soy milk is a good post-workout beverage. From there I'll look into ordering some vegan protein powder and maintain the diet while still making steps toward not being stupid in the face, which I do a lot.

Thanks for the advice folks. May this devolve into either generic workout advice for anyone or butts.

The choice is yours.

[Bells]

I for one am personally leaned towards avoiding "Suplements" and Industrialized complements if i can have a natural (or ish) offering... it's a "Thing" with me, so i don't pose it as being "right" or "better" for others...

But... why not just a Saladwich (Salad Sandwich) and a Fruit? It's enough...

I'm not all "vegan versed" but, can you eat Cheese? Cause... A piece of bread, 2 types of Leafs and a Tomato, Carrot, Cucumber or something like that, with just a small pinch of Olive oil and Cheese, with a side of a Banana or Apple is already enough post workout or even "pre"...

One thing you need to keep in mind is routine. I dunno about you, but eating the exact same thing in the same order everyday would kill it for me. Some variety helps a ton, and for that you need options...

Now, i'm not even close to being knowledgeable on all that stuff, but i would think that if you teach your body to work with those supplements for achieve "X" result, then, as soon as you give it a break... the results are going to "deflate" fast. But if you keep things natural, create a natural habit out of it, the results will be slower coming, but long lasting... also will make you keep or create healthy habits.

[rpgdemon]

Also: Beans and rice give you a full set of protein groups, and taste good to boot. Those are good.

[DarkDrgon]

My store sells organic soy protein powder, so maybe look into finding some of that for your extra protein