Complex carbs in the meal before a workout are a good idea (potato, pasta, oatmeal). Lot of guys like dextrose (with a little whey) during and after a workout to raise insulin and block cortisol.
I workout in the morning about an hour after breakfast, dex pwo, then have complex carbs thru the day until 4. After 4, only fiberous carbs (broc, asparagus, etc), never anything high GI. Elevating insulin with every meal will keep you in constant fat storage mode.
Examine your total cals too. 26lbs in 13 or so weeks = at least 22 lbs of fat imo. The whole idea is to look good with your shirt off, not on!
