Help! WHEN do you exercise? Before or after meal?

Otterheart

I've been struggling with these issues for far too long and I'd like to get your perspective.

If you exercise in the morning, do you eat breakfast first or after?

Same question for later in the day. If you work out after work do you go home and have dinner first? How do you motivate yourself to walk AFTER you get home/have dinner or such?

I'm asking because on the dinner question, if I come home I'm less likely to go walk.

Thanks!

MB_Positif

It really depends on what works for you. If I eat before I exercise I keep it really small and then usually eat something else right afterwards too...

twooliver

Ideally they say to work out before breakfast...but I say workout whenever you can! Calories burned is still calories burned!!!!

Runnermadre

I think a lot of it depends on what kind of exercising you're doing. Since I'm a runner, I grab a light snack before a run, and have a light snack after or my meal. If I eat a meal before running, I feel heavy, sluggish, etc, and it gives me heartburn among other digestive issues. If you're doing anything high impact or high intensity, I would stick with the light snack before idea. Otherwise, just try it both ways and see how you feel. :-)

jonikeffer

You should eat something before any workout, within 30-60 mins depending on how large a snack/meal. If you ry to workout on a completely empty stomach, you have no fuel for the workout, and I don't mean that in a good "oh then I'll burn all fat" way. If you want to workout at night but don't want to go home and lose your momentum, carry a snack with you to eat in the car on the way to the gym.

karenkwalker

I usually do not eat before exercise. I have low blood sugar so sometimes I just eat a spoonful of peanut butter or something - especially in the morning. I am like you: 1) if I go home first I won't want to go back out to exercise 2) If I eat first I definately don't want to exercise. I like knowing after I exercise I get to come home to eat - just have to make sure I don't stop at fast food before getting home :bigsmile:

purplepollypops

I always work out before eating as it's something to look forward to! And usually I'm too tired afterwards to eat a lot so it works out well for me I know if I'd eaten something before exercising then I'd probably overdo it and then not have the energy to work out properly!

Kanzaki3

I normally eat after working out. It has been effective for me so far.

kennie2

I usually exercise 1 hour after a snack or 2 hours or when I don't feel full after a meal exercising on am empty stomach is not advised as you won't have any energy to burn

ClareB1974

M-F I do 30 minutes cardio before breakfast and about an hour after lunch. Weekends I just grab some time when I can. Strength training I fit in around my other commitments so I do what I can when I can

milaxx

I take a water aerobics class 3 - 4 mornings a week. I drink a protein shake with almond butter added before and then I eat a good breakfast after. I try to always have an egg or 2 with breakfast. On non gym days my workouts are lighter. I usually just do some mall walking and maybe some arm curls with hand weights at home. I don't usually worry about eating around these. The only thing I di is make sure to wait at least a half an hour before walking or I get sick to my stomach.

imfittted

I think it's better to have something in your system before working out. If I'm going to run in the morning, I'll have a handful of nuts or a banana or something like that maybe 20-30minutes beforehand. It's better to fuel your body because you will be stronger in your workout. But I always have to eat after I work out too because I'm starving by then.

MandaLee8908

When I was working out regularly, I would have something small (a banana or toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter) in the morning before my workout and eat breakfast after. If you eat within an hour after working out, your body's metabolism is still revved up and burns some of the calories you're eating as you eat! At least that theory worked for me!

Don't eat a heavy meal before you work out...or you will have an upset tummy (unless you're just lifting but even then I would be careful). Definitely NO CARDIO within 2 or 3 hours after eating! I made that mistake once...NEVER AGAIN!

avenathus

I get home and have dinner usually by 6pm, and then I go to the gym anywhere between 6:30 and 8pm. Rarely I go to the gym before dinner, but if I do I always make sure to have a small snack beforehand. I just don't like to go when I am hungry!

Otterheart

YEAH PEOPLE! Thank you SO MUCH! I get it! I was thinking of eating as a now OR later not as both! Love the idea of having something light to get you going and provide energy THEN/AND a good meal after.
I'm going to try it now!

Love ya!

ChristinaRamos

When you exercise without eating, you are breaking down muscles for fuel, not burning fat. I eat something small before and after working out. Keep some fruit and rice cakes in your car or purse.

Runnermadre

When I was working out regularly, I would have something small (a banana or toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter) in the morning before my workout and eat breakfast after. If you eat within an hour after working out, your body's metabolism is still revved up and burns some of the calories you're eating as you eat! At least that theory worked for me!

Don't eat a heavy meal before you work out...or you will have an upset tummy (unless you're just lifting but even then I would be careful). Definitely NO CARDIO within 2 or 3 hours after eating! I made that mistake once...NEVER AGAIN!

I remember reading somewhere about the idea of your body burning calories more efficiently in the first hour after your workout... I wonder if we can find more info on that? I also know, that when running, you have about an hour after your workout to eat/drink anything you want to use to replenish your muscles. A mixture of protein and carbs is best. Chocolate milk is perfect for this!

hillview2

My bootcamp instructor (Coach) says if you work out in the am (I do a 6 am ) to not eat unless you can eat 1.5-2 hrs before working out. I don't get up at 4:30 am to eat . When I do the 9 am class, I eat egg whites or cottage cheese at 6:30 or so (like half cup of cottage cheese or 4 egg whites). In the evenings I don't eat before working out but might have a snack at say 2 or 3 before a 5 pm workout.

I tried NOT eating before my 9 am class and it wasn't good at all. I had no energy. Oddly the 6 am is ok without eating for me.

Kathycoco

As others said eat a snack before, even a small fruit would be a good choice and eat your meal afterwards and you'll continue to burn more calories throughout the evening. Check this out. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_8_21/ai_83911021/

This mindset works for me to motivate me to get off my butt when I’m feeling tired and lazy; I play a let’s make a deal with myself; I think when I get home I’m going to put on my walking shoes and walk for 10 min. one direction then I can turn around and come home and do nothing if I want. Telling myself it is only going to cost me 10 minutes and take almost no effort is enough motivation to go and get it over with, that’s really 20 minutes of walking (10 out and 10 back). It’s free, it’s easy and you just need a pair of comfortable shoes. You don’t even need to change from your work clothes for a casual walk or you could have something easy to slip into handy when you get home. After a few minutes of walking I start to relax, take in the sights and sounds and let my mind wander and distress. Then I’d add another 5 minutes and another….. Usually my walks last 30 – 45 minutes.

When you get home you are going to have more energy, feel refreshed and good about yourself. You’re much more likely to cook a healthy meal after you exercise.

Hope that helps!

Otterheart

Thanks Kathy:
After reading everyone's post I tried having a bit of something and (using your idea to make a bargain) allow to have a bit more after the walk. Wow! I feel great, especially as I did it - walk that is. Yes, now I'm hungry BUT I had the energy to do the walk and then some and now I won't feel dubious about having well now lunch.

Thanks again everyone!

hillview2

Thanks Kathy:
After reading everyone's post I tried having a bit of something and (using your idea to make a bargain) allow to have a bit more after the walk. Wow! I feel great, especially as I did it - walk that is. Yes, now I'm hungry BUT I had the energy to do the walk and then some and now I won't feel dubious about having well now lunch.

Thanks again everyone!

nice job!!

Eve1972

I eat a banana @ an hour before I workout (60 mins) and have my breakfast right after!

lacroyx

always before. one time I went within an hour after a meal, it wasn't pretty :frown: