Post Evening Workout Eating

I usually don't get home until pretty late after working out, and I try to go to bed fairly early, so that means eating late and then having to go to bed maybe an hour or so later. When I'm in full-on training mode, which I'm getting back into now, I'll eat a small snack before I work out and then have a light dinner - protein and some veggies. Eating after 8 pm is sometimes a necessity for those of us who work long hours and train. I don't know that eating ANYTHING after 8 pm "makes you fatter", but I wouldn't necessarily have a huge meal and then go to bed. What I would do, if you have time to eat dinner befor you work out - split up your meal and eat a smaller meal at dinner and then have a light recovery snack after your workout. I don't have time before my workouts, so I flip-flop it, but it's the same idea - some lean protein and carbs after an intense workout.

If you are looking to lose weight, as others said, it's calories in vs calories out. Smoothies and shakes can be deceptionally calorie heavy, esp. if you are drinking a large one, and esp. that close to going to sleep. If you are not losing any weight, you might consider cutting it in half. It also isn't clear what/how you eat during the day. Ideally, smaller meals spread throughout the day are what you want to aim for.

PS - I'm thin and I'm not satisfied after eating 2 M&Ms - that's not normal!! Make sure you don't starve yourself, but it might take some tweaking to get it right.

Even if losing weight is your goal you need those calories, and especially that protein.  Losing weight is good, but losing weight from burning up all your muscle is bad.  And if you do anything slow your recovery you are going to hurt your next workout.  Keep up on the shakes it doesn't sound like there should be all that many calories in what you're drinking anyway, but should be a decent amount of protein.

However, I am no dietician, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Thanks everyone, some helpful points.  To flesh out some points which may further discussion: 

• I agree that calories in/out is the key.  However, there are many studies on the effect of late night eating and that basically a generality is try not to if you can avoid it.
• I have started logging my food again (doing on my blog in my BT log not using the nutrition function as it takes too long)
• The shake is about 400 calories (195 c. from muscle milk protein powder, 100 from skim milk, 100 from fruit). 
• I try to consume 2400-2600 kcal. daily.  If I stay in this range I lose weight.  2800-3000 I don't lose weight. +3000 I gain.
• I try and eat every 2-3 hours during the day to "stay fueled"
• If I stay away from dessert I lose weight. 
• My wife is "healthy thin", would never touch taco bell (she's a vegetarian), does yoga or pilates daily and is just one of those revolting people who has their act together from a nutritional standpoint.

Thanks for the help!

Hey my man, congrats on giving it your all towards weight loss.  You'll get there.  One thing I would add is that while a recovery meal is vital 400 calories might be a bit too much.  I would lower that to around 250 or so.  1.5 hours doesn't warrant another full sized meal.  The shake itself is nutritionally sound - just a bit too much.  Cut it all by about half so it'll still have the same taste you like.  Drink a big fat glass of water before it so you feel about the same fullness.  Also, depending on what amount of workout hours you are logging you may be able to get away with 2,000-2,200 calories.  Consciencely (sp?) eating 2,400 is not bad but over the course of a week you will cheat at times so make the daily goal a bit lower.  Just something I found that worked for me when I was getting back in shape.  Again, best of luck!

First, before we go any farther, we need you to post a pic of your wife...purely for research reasons...you understand...anyway I feel your pain about not eating late. It's especially hard when your a firefighter paramedic, who may be up at any / all hours of the night ( as I am right now) but at the same time, expected to maintain normal hours when your off duty / work. Thanks for starting this thread, I'll be following it to see what great advice comes up form our fellow BT brothers and sisters.

My wife would kill me if I started posting pictures of her on BT.  Besides I can't figure out how to shrink picture sizes sufficiently to upload them anyhow (hence why I don't even have an avatar).

Good idea cutting the shake by half when I have to workout late.  I could also swap out the milk for water, but that would lose the nutrient value of milk.