Do you eat first or workout first?

Leyila

I've been wondering which is the best method to losing weight. Do you workout before you eat? Or do you eat first. I was told by one friend that I should eat 2 hours before I work out or workout an hour or so before I eat. Another friend told me that your metabolism doesn't even kick in until after you've eaten breakfast. So which is the way to go?

bcattoes

I doesn't matter. I've worked out in the mornings on an empty stomach, I've worked out in the afternoon after lunch, I've worked out in the evening before dinner. I lost weight at about the same rate with all of them.

busyPK

I'm not sure which is "best", but I work out at 6am before work during the week and I eat right before I leave for the gym (so I'm working out 15mins later). I don't eat anything heavy, usually english muffin toasted w/some pb and honey on it.

TimeToDoMe87

I have been told its best to work out AFTER. Before can cause cramping, or other small things like fatigue, and not wanting to work out as much from being full. If you work out it boosts your metabolism, so when you eat after your work out, your burn the food quicker. I have stuck by that and the days I work out at night I wake up a little bit heavier than the days I work out in the morning. I usually see a bigger difference working out before you eat.

Salexan13

I eat an hour after my workout because your still burning fat after you finish your workout but if you eat immediately after you'll stop burning fat.

HeidiMightyRawr

Both. I can't workout on an empty stomach at all.
So I usually eat (nothing too big), let it settle, then go to the gym, spend around an hour there, go home and have a normal meal. It's usually been at least 3 hours passing in that time, and working out makes me more hungry lol

robinogue

since I workout after work I go straight into it and eat a light dinner after.

afigueroa_pr

I wake up at 5:30 am have a quick cereal or warm up one of my jimmy dean's d-light sandwiches or kashi go lean waffles before I go workout at 6:30 am. Figures it will give my body some quick fuel to do a great workout.

nukehiker

i'm not sure if it really matters that much as long as you are being consistent and getting your workouts done !

ms_karu

I think it depends on how long you plan to exercise. I was trying to workout for 2 hours (1 hour walk and 1 hour of circuit training) on an empty stomach and during my circuit training I felt sluggish and nearly passed out. I usually have a Fiberone bar (130 calories) before exercising. I find that I when I eat something before exercising I have a lot of energy and keep up a fast walking pace and I can make it through my workout.

XFitMojoMom

I eat something, usually always. My workouts are usually around 9:30, so I do have time to eat before getting it done. If I worked out at 5 or 6 in the morning (god help my family) I probably wouldn't unless it was a protein shake or smoothie.

wish21

I normally eat first then wait 30 min to an hr than workout

Articeluvsmemphis

I've heard you get more fat loss in the morning on an empty stomach, but that method is not for everyone. I eat both before and after so I have energy to do the exercise and to not be hungry after I sweat my heart out.

toniRAD

If it's in the morning, I'll eat first. Just something small like a fruit, hard boiled egg or bagel. If it's during the day, I work out and then have lunch after, but usually something small such as a vegetable before I start. I've been told that it burns more when you eat after working out.

LMSCROGG

Usually I work out first, sometimes working out curves my appetite

1WorkoutAtATime

I used to workout first, but now I eat first ....

thelovelyLIZ

Pretty much everything I've read says it doesn't matter. it's a myth you'll burn more fat in an empty stomach. I used to work out then eat, but now that I have more time in the morning I have breakfast and head to the gym and hour or so later. I did notice the other day when I hadn't eaten for several hours my workout suffered a bit, but there were other factors at play too, so I don't think that necessarily was caused by not eating.

Do whatever you prefer.

karinaes

both.. lol

well, a little before to have some fuel and then a real meal afterwards to repair muscles .. and that is when the metabolism works best (post work out)

Leyila

Thank you all for replying. I normally work out mid morning after I've had breakfast and coffee. Usually about an hour after I eat. But when the subject came up I started wondering which way was best.

MissOphelia

I work out after I eat breakfast and then I work out in the middle of the afternoon between meals. It seems to be working well so far

AllDayMzAmberJ

I work out first. I feel like the only time of the day I have the motivation and energy to put towards a workout is FIRST thing in the morning. And it's been working for me.

nokittyno

I eat before I workout. I don't think I could deadlift on an empty stomach, i'd pass out I am sure..lol.. Even if i'm on leg day doing squats I have no issues with eating before, ... I have tried running without food and it works, but I am the type of person who needs food first. I think it depends on the person honestly

It seems like calories in - calories out, and it doesn't seem to matter if you eat at 5am, 5pm, 11am - as long as there's a deficit or balance.

I think anyway.. opinion, not fact.

Miss_Hiker_Pants

I always work out first. Then eat. While I am getting ready for work. Technically I think you are supposed to eat first. It's like putting gas in a car. You need to fuel up your body.
When I go on big hikes I usually eat a huge breakfast, & then cliffe bars during. Of course thats when I am burning 3000 cal. in a couple of hours.

MaggieMay131

The difference in your "metabolism" is minimal either way.

Here's my thoughts: You can't move the car if you don't have any gas in the tank.

Your body needs SOME fuel for you to get the most out of your workout. The people I've seen puke the most in a morning workout are the one's that didn't eat anything. Experiment with what works for you, but my advice is to eat SOMETHING. A banana, a sweet potato, an apple with peanut butter... all work well for me, but do what makes your body feel good.

Best of luck!

Edit: didn't see your post above... I'm sure if you are working out after you've had breakfast you will be fine! It won't make you "burn more fat" if you don't eat or anything... it's possible more of your calories burned will come from fat stores, but you will burn less calories overall because you have less energy. And we all know that more calories burned = more weight loss. So there ya go

Debbe2

It's the overall daily caloric intake and staying in a deficit that matters most for weight loss. Whether it's recommended to eat before or after a workout depends largely on your comfort while working out.

Mocha02

I work out first. Couple of times I had a shake but lately Ive just been drinking water. After my workout is when I would drink my protein shake. Then when I get to work I'd eat my low fat yogurt, banana, and/or apple with more water.

nurse_chris

I workout first if I'm going first thing in the morning..... I hate the feeling of food in my stomach while pushing myself on the treadmill or lifting. If i'm working out later in the day, then i make sure i eat some carbs about 90 mins before working out.

feffie07

Thank you all for replying. I normally work out mid morning after I've had breakfast and coffee. Usually about an hour after I eat. But when the subject came up I started wondering which way was best.

I do the very same thing...And it works. I feel like the food gives me the energy to work out and not feel sluggish! I feel like if I didn't eat first that I would think about food the whole time and stop with out pushing myself at all!

purseus

I usually workout first then eat

cameralinds

I've read somewhere that it does not matter -- or contribute to calorie burn (athletic training/very high intensity with an exception).

If you work out on an empty stomach, you will burn more calories during the workout because you have to dip into your stores from yesterday's meal. If you work out after you eat, you will burn more calories POST workout because your body has been fueled beforehand. So in the end, the calorie burn is around the same.

feffie07

I've read somewhere that it does not matter -- or contribute to calorie burn (athletic training/very high intensity with an exception).

If you work out on an empty stomach, you will burn more calories during the workout because you have to dip into your stores from yesterday's meal. If you work out after you eat, you will burn more calories POST workout because your body has been fueled beforehand. So in the end, the calorie burn is around the same.

Very helpful info! Thanks!