Exercise - Before or After You Eat

ciacyrus29

I have read a few articles that says that you should exercise before you eat and then there are others that says to eat after you exercise.
I'm confused as to which is right or is it a preference?
I find that if I go home, I'm less likely to go back out (especially when it's cold). Once but butt hits the chair, I get comfortable. I've also heard that like swimming, you should wait about an hour before exercising. Again, when I leave work, if I don't hit the gym directly, that 45 min drive takes it's toll. I don't want to get home at 6 - eat, then sit for an hour and then go out and exercise. Although I would be exhausted, I would rather go, be exhausted - eat and then rest.

Which is right? Please chime in.
p.s. If you have nothing nice to say - then keep your comments to yourself.

SergeantSausage

It doesn't matter.

At all.

TimothyFish

It kind of depends on how long you expect to work out. If you're exercising for less than about an hour, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference. If longer than that, then it gets into a question of how best to fuel your workout.

ciacyrus29

I normally spend 30-45 mins doing cardio and I haven't added in strength training yet. Been trying to just get in the habit of returning to the gym.

NoelFigart1

Okay, I'm a swimmer. I'd say 80% of my workouts are first thing in the morning, before breakfast.

Those other 20% are on weekends, when I generally eat breakfast first because I like to eat within a couple of hours of getting up. Also, the weekend workouts are more likely to be my distance workouts and, yeah, I'm darn well gonna want to fuel up for those!

However, the very best time in the world to workout is when you'll do it consistently. (And like you, once I'm done work for the day, I'm DONE. Don't make me work out or I'll bite you!)

imabeevampire

Until tonight I have always exercised before eating and incorporated meals into refueling my body. Tonight I ate, left it a couple of hours and worked out and gave me the worst heartburn. I think you just need to try what's best for you and your body and what you can fit in.all exercise is better than none and everyone's body is different.

Ready2Rock206

Do what works for you. Personally I exercise before dinner because I don't like to workout after eating - makes me feel ill. And once I get home I'm not leaving to go to the gym. Work - straight to working out - then home for dinner. I like a light snack later in the day though because if I'm too hungry it is all I can think about and I don't get a good workout.

ThatMouse

It doesn't matter how long or how intensely I work out (or actually, maybe it'd make it worse) - I cannot eat within the hour before working out.

I workout in the AM fasted and generally fast 3 hours before my evening karate class. If I'm feeling very hungry, I'll have a banana or something.

I think it really depends on you. If you're feeling faint while working out, try to eat something before hand - something light, quick, ideally something you can eat in the car maybe. I find a banana does the trick for me, or a piece of cheese and toast if I'm peckish for something salty. But if eating before hand makes you feel gross while working out, see if eating after is an option - or if you have no appetite/time after you work out, you might find "skipping" that last meal and adding the calories elsewhere in the day more sustainable (i.e. Intermittent Fasting).

kim_m_kk

I work out in the morning early - before I do anything else. I drag out of bed get dressed drive to the gym and am back before anyone else in the house is even out of bed. I do not eat until I get home. I usually take a bottle of water with me - but that is it until I get home. I don't know if it is right or wrong but it is really my only option - since I work full time have two kids and am a full time graduate student.

jemhh

It is a preference thing. Sometimes I eat beforehand and sometimes I do not. Sometimes I eat during my workout (today I ate a banana between sets.)

I generally find that if I am doing cardio for 40 minutes or less, I am fine to go without eating first thing in the morning. If I go for longer, I like to eat something like a banana or granola bar (something in the 100-150 calorie range.) Most of the time I can weight train without eating but the workout I did today is my most intense and it was nice having a snack during it.

Long story short--it's a preference thing and you'll kind of figure it out through trial and error.

sijomial

I always eat before exercise, or after, or before and after, or before during and after.....

Anything over two hours you are going to need some fuel - otherwise it's just what suits you as regards exercise performance and fitting it into your life.

Alatariel75

Totally up to the individual. Personally, I'm useless before I eat, I can barely walk 3 flights of stairs that later in the day I can jog up. Others get great results from exercising fasted.

Whatever scientific advantages they may or may not be, I think they would be outweighed by the individual's personal preferences because you will do better when you do it your way.

Khukhullatus

My parents always joke about this. My dad works out after and thinks "awesome, I burned off some of that meal" my mom eats after and thinks "darn, I just blew my gain from that workout." Perspective is an interesting thing.

giantrobot_powerlifting

Yes

EvgeniZyntx

ciacyrus29 wrote: »

I normally spend 30-45 mins doing cardio and I haven't added in strength training yet. Been trying to just get in the habit of returning to the gym.

That's all that matters. Don't let meal timing get in your way.

Desterknee

It's a matter of preference.

For me, when I lift weights, I like to do it on an empty stomach.

When I do cardio, I need to have some food in my stomach or I feel ill.

Figure out what works best for you.

Showcase_Brodown

I usually prefer to eat after working out, but that's all it is. Just my preference. In reality, I'm no better off one way or the other.

ttcbelieve

It depends........ Here is some recommendation from my GYM

What should I eat before/after a workout?
It depends on lot of things. Here it is one at a time.
1 – Type of workout. If the workout will cause you to have an elevated heart rate, lots of sweating, requires lots of effort, then you will not want to eat within 2-3 hours prior (amount of time depends on how you feel during workout after food). Stick to calorie free beverages – water, coffee, tea (unless one of these upset your stomach).
2 – Time of workout. Follow the directions above if the workout is late enough in the day to allow you to eat food prior. If it is early morning, then get up, drink some water, maybe some electrolytes (ultima), and hit the workout.
3 – Weight Training. If the workout is not a heavy breather, or one that will not cause an elevated heart rate for a prolonged period of time (i.e. Deadlift, 3-3-3-3-3), then you can eat as close to the workout as you like – again, as long as you feel good throughout the workout.
4 – Things to avoid prior to a workout. Avoid foods that will cause an irregular pattern in your blood sugar. For most of you that will be foods that are high glycemic (i.e. pineapple, banana, most grains, flavoured yogurt, food bars, sugary drinks, etc.). For others this may involve not eating too much fat (oils, nuts, seeds, avacoados, etc) or protein (animal foods, dairy, eggs, etc.) prior. Just take note of what makes you feel good. Another suggestion would be to avoid dairy foods prior to any heavy breathing workout as it may cause an excessive amount of mucous for many people –… that is not a good thing.
5 – After the Workout. You will want to choose the ratios of food (protein/fat/carbohydrate) you consume based on your body fat %. For an estimate, unless you can see you abdominal muscles you are going to be higher than 12-13%. This is your starting point. If the workout is a weight training workout, then eating a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates within one hour following will be optimal. The higher your body fat (greater than 13%), the less carbohydrates (less than 10-15 grams) you should consume (on a linear relationship – the higher the body fat %, the lower the carbohydrates) after this type of workout. If the workout is a heavy breather of long duration (greater than 7-10 mins) with lots of sweating, you will want to consume quality protein and carbohydrate dominant foods. For most, avoiding fat is not practical as it will help you for the rest of the day. Again, if your body fat is higher, then the less carbohydrates you should consume (under 20-25 grams). The exact amounts and types of food will depend on lots of things (your body mass, body fat %, food tolerance, activity level, schedule, experience with training, etc.).

higgins8283801

I can't exercise after..I feel like I'm going to puke..so I do it in the morning, and eat after

giantrobot_powerlifting

And sometimes during.

La5Vega5Girl

i do not eat anything before i work-out;
i work-out in a fasted state after having not eaten since about 16 hours before i hit the gym. i used to "have" to eat before i worked-out but since i got serious about IF'ing, i quit eating before. it's personal preference.

Greeneyedgrl_24

It depends on what I'm doing. If I'm about to go for a run I'll eat afterwards or at least 2 hours prior. After strength training I usually eat shortly after, and it is often high in protein. I would go by what works/feels best for you. Maybe you can eat a snack(almonds, cheese stick, ect) before you leave work so you won't be so hungry.
Good luck to you

tchell99

As others have said, find what works for you.

I eat a snack (usually a yogurt or piece of fruit) right before I leave work*, stop home to let the dog out and change, and then head to the gym for anywhere for 1 to 1.5 hours. Usually home by 6:30 or 7:00 and then have dinner.

*If I don't have a snack I get too hungry at the end of the day, eat dinner when I get home and fail to get my butt to the gym because then the tiredness sets in.

zdyb23456

I like to exercise in the morning, as soon as I can get it done. Since I don't eat breakfast I tend to exercise on an empty stomach, but after a cup of coffee.

Two days a week I work out right after getting home from work before dinner. I tend to get a stomach ache if I try to run after eating (even if I wait an hour) plus I feel heavier which makes my run feel harder (which I'm sure is totally in my head).

I think you should do it before going home - get it done so you can relax the rest of the evening. Eat a late afternoon snack before going to the gym if you feel too hungry.

ShellyBell999

I have something light before my am workout, then something mor substantial after.

jakichan

Depends how long I'm going for. If I'm just doing a short 2 hour ride in the morning then I might have breakfast after. Anything more than that I risk bonking, so I eat first.

cwolfman13

Whatever floats your boat. The more rigorous your training regimen, the more important nutrient timing is for performance and recovery...but it really doesn't matter a whole lot for the average workout.

I generally have an apple about an hour or so before I lift and follow that session up with a protein shake...but I don't do anything out of the ordinary for a regular workout. If I'm going to go out on my bike and ride 50+ miles, that's a different story.

kcjchang

Depends on your intensity & duration. On bicycle rides that is over an hour, I eat before and at least 30 minutes prior. If the ride is over two hours I eat during, every hour or so, after 60 to 90 minutes in until my stomach cannot handle it or my intensity falls then I give time for my stomach to catchup and repeat as necessary.My meals on the bike is more of a snack and around 200-350 cal at most. On my trainer, typically an hour in duration and after work, I eat afterwards (dinner).

thismamarox

I do both...some days I go before work, other days after work...I never go on a full stomach (I get queezy thinking about it) Its just preference. If I could, I would go every day on an empty stomach...I personally feel I have more energy. But do what feels right for YOU!!

arditarose

nakedraygun wrote: »

And sometimes during.

mmhmm

giantrobot_powerlifting

arditarose wrote: »

nakedraygun wrote: »

And sometimes during.

mmhmm

Skepticism? Sometimes I have to shovel down bites of a fancy candy bar like a PB Zone bar and wash it down with water between sets - usually on my 6am deadlift sessions. Heck sometimes I have snacks before breakfast.

I wish there was someway not to fast between meals... and snacks.