When to eat/workout

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2003
When to eat/workout
12
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 2:05pm

so, I thought it was better to eat after your workout?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 2:37pm

Well, that darn Slim in 6 program said not to eat....and this is why...makes sense to me.


It said, if you eat prior to working out, what you burn off in that workout session is what you just ate. If you don't eat, you body burns what it can, but then turns to the fat reserves faster, because there's not a lot of food to burn off.


For myself. I tend to eat a banana about 1-2 hours prior to working out. I work out after work, and my last meal was lunch and I am starving. Eating a banana takes the edge off, and keeps me from scarfing down my dinner.


Also, they say working out in the morning is great....but to only eat something light. Like pb on bread to give you energy.


It makes sense to me, so I follow this, "don't eat" rule.

~Cher
10 days & I'll be in Hawaii




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 4:59pm
I do not eat anything prior to my AM workout. I get out and run first thing in the am on an empty stomach. This is a very popular theory (BFL, Runner's World, Bodybuilder). You can do a search for "best time for cardio" or "morning workout" and get lots of info. When you work out on an empty stomach, your body is in a carb depleted state and goes right for the stored fats for energy, not the food you just ate. Also, wait one hour after your workout to eat and make that a balanced low fat meal (with smart carbs and protein). If first thing in the am doesn't work, wait 3 hours AFTER you eat.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 5:13pm

Donna- I think Cheryl has made a great point, but I did want to point out that you don't want to work out on an empty stomach either. I think (like Cheryl said) a snack about an hour before working out is a good idea. After all you do want to have the energy to work out, right?


I tend to have something small (like today wheat crackers w/cheese and hummus) when I get in from school, finish off any last minute school work and then work out. Especially with the weather getting *hotter* too the break between work and exercise is good for me ;-)


Also, DON'T FOGET your WATER!!
~IG

=== Spring Into Summer ===

cl-vi_islandgirl
co-cl @Getting Fit In Your 30's
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbfitthirty

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 6:32pm
Sorry, Ladies, friendly disagreement here. If your main objective is to lose body fat, working out first thing in the am on an empty stomach is a GREAT idea! Now I am not saying to get up at 7, fart around until 10 (hungry by now, still not eating), and then workout say at 11. Get up, get water and get moving. Please don't jump on me, do your own research if you don't like what I am saying. I would not steer you wrong, promise.

http://www.intense-workout.com/cardio.html

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/talk/thread.phtml/post545931/

http://www.weightlossforall.com/burning%20fat%20time.htm

On and on...search executed "best time for cardio"

Just so there is data there......

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 7:37pm

Being lazy and not wanting to read all of those articles, I'm curious, what about when you work out in the evening? Because I know for a fact, my body wouldn't be to happy with me to work out in the AM.


Your thoughts?


EDIT: nevermind. I read them. found some time. lol. And well, I agree, about the whole no eating bit. But well, unfortunately, I'm grouchier after a morning workout, so I guess I'll just have to starve myself before my evening workout (just kidding). Bummer.



~Cher
10 days & I'll be in Hawaii




Edited 6/1/2004 7:51 pm ET ET by cherbear017




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 7:53pm
When you exercise, your body uses fuel from different sources. Your body's first fuel choice is carbohydrates, then fat. If your body is in a carb depleted state, such as a ten to twelve hour fast overnight (after dinner, then bed) your body goes right to the stored fat. If you eat and supply your body with immediate fuel, it will of course go right to that source and you will be burning the calories you just consumed. It has been proven that cardio is about three times more effective for fat loss when done first thing in the am.

Now anything that gets you moving and keeps you motivated and exercising regulary can't be bad, but for MAXIMUM fat loss, first thing in the am is best. Now, if you can not exercise in the morning, then they recommend you wait 3 hours after your meal, for digestion, to exercise. Your body has mostly processed the energy (food) you have given and this would be the 2nd best choice. Wait one hour after your workout and eat a balanced meal.

I can get more detailed if you wish. I am running short on time here and the family is hungry..LOL!


One other thing, if you do not eat enough, or at all, your body's third choice for fuel is protein...this is lean muscle mass...you do not want that. Make sure you keep your metabolism roaring with small frequent meals and exercise (including weight training).

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 8:42pm

Michelle- thank you for posting all your knowledge! And no worries in the disagreement, in fact I wholeheartedly agree with your points, however I'm unfortunately with Cheryl in the no morning workout for me syndrome, lol! I have on occasion gotten up in a good enough mood to exercise, and I know that the exercise will boost not only my metabolism, but my mood too- but I just can't get into it! When the weekend arrives I really try to get up early (or on time) and go for my walk, or whatever...


Having read your posts and articles, I will try and improve this whole situation for myself as I know there is a lot to gain from it, or lose rather, lol!


Thanks again for the info ~IG

=== Spring Into Summer ===

cl-vi_islandgirl
co-cl @Getting Fit In Your 30's
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbfitthirty

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 8:52pm
It depends on what type and what level of exercise you are talking about. If you are an endurance athlete, doing very strenuous exercise for a long time (marathon, triathlon) then it is good to give the body some fuel before you start, about an hour ahead you should have a complex carb and a quick carb (triscuts and oj).

If you are doing something aerobic and you find you run out of steam before the time is up, you might want to have a quick carb (oj) about 1/2 an hour before you start.

If you are going on a nice brisk walk, don't feel weak at all have had reasonable food recently (within 3 hours) eat after, you won't eat as much because the endorphins will really carry you over. If you are working out first thing in the morning, and feel like you want something, have 6 oz of oj or a banana or something to tide you over and eat your real breakfast when you are done.

Don't eat a full meal right before you work out, your body can't digest and exercise at the same time. Your muscles get priority and the food just sits there until you are done, making you feel nautious and tired.

Karen
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 7:19am

Not disagreing with anyone's scientific research or anything ;).

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2004
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 9:15am
Here is what I read in "muscle and fitness".

It said, to put on muscle, eat protein 30 minutes before a workout, (and post work out)

To become more toned, just eat a very light carb snack, 30 minutes before cardio, or eat AFTER your workout.

It also said, not eating before a workout, especially in the morning, prompted muscle and fat loss, while eating, or working out during the day, prompted mostly fat loss.

I hold true to this, and have found results.

I like doing cardio in the morning, or it will never get done, and I try to eat a light snack before hand to fuel my runs.

I hope this helps!!

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