Workouts - Full belly, empty belly?

NinjaUnicornPirate

I've read lots of conflicting views on the status of one's belly before going into a workout. Some say to go into it with an empty belly and hungry because your body is already burning fat and you'll just be burning more. Others say to go in at some interval after you've eaten to give your body the fuel it needs to burn that fat.

Opinions? Can someone help me untangle the web of craziness surrounding this subject?

Thanks and healthy days to you all!!

-Josh

thavoice

You will get answers both ways, and also saying it doesnt matter.

Personally I dont like to eat 3-4 hours before I run/workout.

mickey9694

I go running on an empty stomach, but weight train after eating. But that's what seems to work best for me, not doing it because of any certain dietary benefits

leggup

Do what's comfortable for you. I cannot run with anything in my stomach without getting burpy and gross-feeling. I can't eat anything within 3 hrs of a zumba class. I am fine having something light (handful of nuts, banana) before a less-intense burn, like a walk or light weight lifting.

ShibaEars

Somewhere in the middle for me. Too full, I feel sick, too empty and all I can think about is food, both feelings are very distracting. I usually try to eat something small about 45-60 minutes before a workout.

Eric_DeCastro

I had a late dinner and wasn't able to run. for my stomach was ready to go run it was too late in the evening to run. I prefer to run on an empty or half empty stomach.

tigersword

It's 100% personal preference. However you feel and perform best.

mamahannick

It's whatever works for you. I run better at 4:30 am without anything in my stomach, but I do eat something about 2 hours ahead of a race or days that I run later in the morning. I also do any kind of strength training better later in the day after having eaten regular meals and snacks. Like PP's have said, it's all personal preference.

whitebalance

Best for me is a full stomach before strength training and a near-empty one for cardio. But yeah, it's whatever works for you.

JohnIVC

I eat before weights and cardio on empty. Just like others - get burpie - especially in the pool!

__hannah_

If I eat before cardio I'm uncomfortable, but it doesnt seem to matter for me with weight training. Do whatever feels ok for your body.

hilts1969

Before i hit the gym i eat 3 boiled eggs and a banana mainly because i haven't eaten for about 15-16 hours so need something, i eat more afterwards and have a large dinner

jessical_otoole

I feel like if I workout without eating, I'll just be starved to death, but if I eat before I workout, I'll be twice as hungry later... I don't know though, that's just my opinion..