Breakfast and metabolism question

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  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    I think it's more important for building muscle, getting a steady stream of protein in all day. Although I'm not aware of any research done on that issue either, so that could just be bro science as well.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,150 Member
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    malibu927 wrote: »
    Your trainer has no idea what he's talking about. Eat when you want, meal timing is irrelevant to weight loss.

    BAM!
  • LoupGarouTFTs
    LoupGarouTFTs Posts: 916 Member
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    If your blood glucose level is low when you wake up then intensive exercise can send it lower, which is why I eat something before doing chores. If you don't have to worry about your bgl, then meal timing is unimportant.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    jendpositive wrote: »
    Hmmm mixed reviews then. I've just kicked my butt recently and got back on the hardcore weight loss wagon so I'm not eating back any of my exercise calories. I'm sticking to 1200 and do six days a week alternative weight training (some heavy lifting) and cardio dance.

    @jendpositive‌ you really need to eat back your exercise calories, 1200 is low to start with, a heavy exercise schedule cannot be fuelled appropriately on so few gross calories, at least try to net 1200 otherwise there's every chance you will crash and burn
  • lauracups
    lauracups Posts: 533 Member
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    My trainer says the same (not firing him, he's right on so much else). Most days I can't even look at food first thing. I do try to get the work out done first thing though and if I am doing a long hike etc, I will have something light (banana, 1/2 cup cereal etc) I will get woozy otherwise.
    Just do what your body is asking, feed it when you are truly hungry, don't when you aren't.
  • DemoraFairy
    DemoraFairy Posts: 1,806 Member
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    jendpositive wrote: »
    Hmmm mixed reviews then. I've just kicked my butt recently and got back on the hardcore weight loss wagon so I'm not eating back any of my exercise calories. I'm sticking to 1200 and do six days a week alternative weight training (some heavy lifting) and cardio dance.

    Mixed reviews? I didn't see a single person that agreed with your trainer.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    DemoraFairy wrote: »
    jendpositive wrote: »
    Hmmm mixed reviews then. I've just kicked my butt recently and got back on the hardcore weight loss wagon so I'm not eating back any of my exercise calories. I'm sticking to 1200 and do six days a week alternative weight training (some heavy lifting) and cardio dance.

    Mixed reviews? I didn't see a single person that agreed with your trainer.

    :laugh: ain't that often the way
  • jasmindouglass1
    jasmindouglass1 Posts: 1
    edited March 2015
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    I think the main reason people say yo eat breakfast is so you feel a little less hungry and are less likely to binge when you do eat at any point of the day. Any meal is important not just breakfast i personally cant stomach breakfast usually but the last 2 months have been trying tohave something. . Even just a home made protein smoothie and i have found i dont snack as much. E.g. eat crisps etc... personal opinion and discipline i think

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    rabbitjb wrote: »
    jendpositive wrote: »
    Hmmm mixed reviews then. I've just kicked my butt recently and got back on the hardcore weight loss wagon so I'm not eating back any of my exercise calories. I'm sticking to 1200 and do six days a week alternative weight training (some heavy lifting) and cardio dance.

    @jendpositive‌ you really need to eat back your exercise calories, 1200 is low to start with, a heavy exercise schedule cannot be fuelled appropriately on so few gross calories, at least try to net 1200 otherwise there's every chance you will crash and burn

    Yep.
  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
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    I think that is old school advice as that used to be the common sentiment. I'm with you, eat hours after waking to stretch those 1200 calories! Trust your gut (if it is grumbling, eat!)
  • jendpositive
    jendpositive Posts: 26 Member
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    If I eat back my exercise calories I don't lose I only maintain.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,411 MFP Moderator
    edited March 2015
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    jendpositive wrote: »
    If I eat back my exercise calories I don't lose I only maintain.
    Do you use a food scale? Do you have any medical issues? And how do you calculate exercise calories? And can you open your food diary?

    Because that low of calories will not only make it harder to maintain muscle, it will generally not give you enough energy to maximize lifting performance.
  • Whitezombiegirl
    Whitezombiegirl Posts: 1,042 Member
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    Metabolism is the rate that we convert our energy stores into kinetic energy. Every increase in energy demand increase our metabolism for the duration of the demand (exercise is shown to have an 'afterburn' effect- which i won't go into) so generally speaking:
    - being awake uses more energy than being asleep (usually)
    - walking uses more energy than siting
    - running needs more than waking etc.

    Eating also raises the metbolism slightly due to the energy demands of digestion- BUT it's not more than the energy we are taking into our bodies through eating.

    So in effect, you could say that breakfast increases our metabolism (at whatever time we eat it)- BUT does not raise it all day (Kick- start it) and does not make us more efficient at fat burning or any other such nonsence.

    Studies have shown that people who eat a lower calorie breakfast (say 250-300 cals) are less likely to get hungry at 11.00 and run to the snack machine and grab chocolate and crisps at say 500 cals (makes sense). BUT if that's not you- then there is no need to eat breakfast. Timing of food does not affect total calories consumed. (There is some known hormonal differences with some night workers- and also possibly eating greater amounts than required- in some studies - but that's a whole other issue)

    That's my understanding- happy to be corrected.
  • krokador
    krokador Posts: 1,794 Member
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    "Breakfast" is important. It's the first meal you have in the day, when you break your fast. You want it to be filling, high in protein, not too high in carbs and fat and definitely not sugar-filled cereals.

    Now that that's said, what time you decide to break your fast is entirely up to you. I don't like to eat before I hit the gym (first thing in the AM), because it makes me feel all groggy and bloaty. Some people can't get through a workout without having a meal first. Find what works for you. The whole starvation mode crap is mostly a scare tactic to get you to buy supps and meal plans and whatnot. (It's real, just not as easy to attain as the "specialists" make it sound).

    As long as you eat enough to fuel your muscles (1200 cals might be a bit low depending on where you're at) and exercise a good amount, your metabolism will stay up. Don't wait 'til you're starving to eat, either. Not worth it and you raise your chances of binging in the long run.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,411 MFP Moderator
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    krokador wrote: »
    "Breakfast" is important. It's the first meal you have in the day, when you break your fast. You want it to be filling, high in protein, not too high in carbs and fat and definitely not sugar-filled cereals.

    Now that that's said, what time you decide to break your fast is entirely up to you. I don't like to eat before I hit the gym (first thing in the AM), because it makes me feel all groggy and bloaty. Some people can't get through a workout without having a meal first. Find what works for you. The whole starvation mode crap is mostly a scare tactic to get you to buy supps and meal plans and whatnot. (It's real, just not as easy to attain as the "specialists" make it sound).

    As long as you eat enough to fuel your muscles (1200 cals might be a bit low depending on where you're at) and exercise a good amount, your metabolism will stay up. Don't wait 'til you're starving to eat, either. Not worth it and you raise your chances of binging in the long run.

    Whats wrong with a high carb or high fat breakfast?
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
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    psulemon wrote: »
    krokador wrote: »
    "Breakfast" is important. It's the first meal you have in the day, when you break your fast. You want it to be filling, high in protein, not too high in carbs and fat and definitely not sugar-filled cereals.

    Now that that's said, what time you decide to break your fast is entirely up to you. I don't like to eat before I hit the gym (first thing in the AM), because it makes me feel all groggy and bloaty. Some people can't get through a workout without having a meal first. Find what works for you. The whole starvation mode crap is mostly a scare tactic to get you to buy supps and meal plans and whatnot. (It's real, just not as easy to attain as the "specialists" make it sound).

    As long as you eat enough to fuel your muscles (1200 cals might be a bit low depending on where you're at) and exercise a good amount, your metabolism will stay up. Don't wait 'til you're starving to eat, either. Not worth it and you raise your chances of binging in the long run.

    Whats wrong with a high carb or high fat breakfast?
    And sorry, why is breakfast so important?

    Doesn't matter what time you eat.
  • jendpositive
    jendpositive Posts: 26 Member
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    psulemon wrote: »
    jendpositive wrote: »
    If I eat back my exercise calories I don't lose I only maintain.
    Do you use a food scale? Do you have any medical issues? And how do you calculate exercise calories? And can you open your food diary?

    Because that low of calories will not only make it harder to maintain muscle, it will generally not give you enough energy to maximize lifting performance.

    Hello psulemon, yes I do use a food scale, no medical conditions and I calculate exercise calories with mfp. I only log cardio. I've only just gone back to 1200 as I've not been losing weight in 3 months. Please friend me to see my diary. Thanks for the interest, it's always good to have allies.

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