Training day eating vs Non-Training day

I'll answer it in a way you probably didn't expect.  You should eat more AFTER your workouts.  Get something in your right away with protein and carbs and eat a decent meal a short while later.  The energy you use for your workouts is a combination of stored glycogen, sugars in your bloodstream, and fat stores.  Fat stores are always there and sugars in the bloodstream are fairly transient, but glycogen in your muscles can be used up in a hard training session.  Eating carbs after you workout, when you're very sensitive and more apt to store them, is the way to replenish the glycogen in your muscles.

Does that makes sense, or am I rambling?

Rencor - 2006-03-30 11:40 AM I usually eat more on my hard days and less on my light/off days. I reasoned that I would need/burn more calories on my hard days and less on my light/off days. I then started thinking...when do I actually get the "energy" from the calories? So my question is...Should I be eating more the DAY BEFORE my hard days and less the DAY BEFORE my light/off days? Hope that made sense

Makes perfect sense to me. I've started making sure I have a small ~130 cal high carb snack just before a workout. If it was an intense workout, OR if I'm doing a double (like weight training followed by cardio), I'll get something with protein and carbs (trail mix is a favorite). Usually ~150 cal. Improves both training and recovery.

Otherwise, I try to keep calorie intake on a 7 day average at an AVERAGE deficiet to get 1-2 pounds per week. I think overanalyzing this just makes one frustrated and sets up failure...