Best time to exercise?

Helenov

The best time is the time you'll actually do it.

^^This

jofjltncb6

a "metabolism jumpstart" doesn't really make sense. What is true is that your body can, and does, use different nutrients in different ways at different points in your daily cycle. Thus my distinction between whether you are in a fasted state, or not. Nothing I know of shows that you burn more calories in the morning. But plenty (as I just linked) shows that you burn more fat while in a fasted state. You could be in a fasted state at 9 PM, but most people are not. So cardio exercise in the morning makes sense for trying to burn off fat and lose weight.

I thought the studies that initially showed increased fat burn from exercising in a fasted state were later determined that it "caught up" when measured over a longer period of time. In other words, while a fasted state showed more fat burn in the first hour or two, it leveled off later in the day...and training in a non-fasted state, while less fat burn initially, made up for it throughout the day.

(But honestly, this is based on my recollection and not based on any actual research I've reread recently. I'm sure if it is (or isn't) the case, someone less lazy than I will show up and post some links shortly.)

EricCowperthwaite

^^^ I hope they show up, I'd be interested in that research. :-)

jofjltncb6

^^^ I hope they show up, I'd be interested in that research. :-)

I hope they do too...

...because otherwise, I'm just going to look stupid...

...and if there's one thing I don't ever want to do, it's look stupid on MFP*.









(* again, today...for at least the fifth time.)

SideSteel

Thanks. I'm actually looking at these, some of which I've seen before. I'll take a look and also see what else I can find as I've looked into this before.

In the meantime:

Hey SideSteel ...

http://www.nutritionexpress.com/showarticle.aspx?articleid=274 - references a KSU study that's very interesting and looks at substrate utilization, not just energy balance.

Does anyone have the study referenced in the above link?

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/phys-ed-the-benefits-of-exercising-before-breakfast/ - A study in Belgium finds that working out in a fasted state improves insulin resistance, fat burning, glucose tolerance.

This one is interesting ^^. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837645)

I'd be interested to see how this is applicable to a diet that remotely resembles a diet of someone who is fitness conscious. What I mean by that is, they overfed people with a pretty ridiculous macronutrient distribution and monitored the differences in fat gain through various metrics (as well as other things). This might not be quite the same results given a hypocaloric diet with macronutrient intakes that are relatively intelligent, but it's an interesting study nonetheless.

Alan has also reviewed this in detail in his AARR.

http://www.dangerouslyhardcore.com/3750/eating-breakfast-causes-weight-loss-worst-research-ever/#more-3750 - staying in a fasted state key to burning fat, specifically. Eating breakfast promotes loss of muscle, not fat.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2224886/Exercising-breakfast-lets-lose-extra-weight-British-study-found.html#axzz2KjIRKZ00 - a British study: cardio before breakfast increases weight loss, reduces fat in bloodstream

Does anyone have the studies referenced in the above? Pretty sure the one Keifer is referring to is from Martin's site.

The evidence is pretty clear that cardio before breakfast, in a fasted state, increase loss of fat specifically because your body is burning your fat stores rather than glucose.

I actually disagree that it's clear, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm not providing any adequate rebuttal as of now so my disagreement is somewhat silly.

Sarauk2sf

^^this one - it's just the extract though

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3410632

SideSteel

I'll start off with something before going into this:

My belief is that personal preference and performance will trump any theoretical benefits to training in either a fed OR fasted state. My personal preference is to train fasted or semi fasted (at most, coffee with some whey) for performance reasons. I'm a fan of IF for adherence reasons so all things considered, I really like fasted training.

But I don't think the fat loss benefits, outside of preferential and performance effects which would vary from person to person, are significant nor do I think the research is clear.

Here's Alan Aragon on fasted cardio, although this is from 2006 and does not address studies since then. I'm not aware that Alan's position on this has changed because I would expect to have heard about it by now since I'm a fanboy of sorts.

http://alanaragon.com/myths-under-the-microscope-part-2-false-hopes-for-fasted-cardio.html

Here's Brad Schoenfeld's take, and this is more recent (this includes several studies posted at the end):
http://pulsthjalfun.is/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/doescardio.pdf

Lyle McDonald has some interesting things to say about fasted training for lean people trying to get leaner. I'll link the article because I find it fascinating although there aren't any studies attached to it. I think Lyle is one of the best out there but his stance on this would indicate than unless you're already lean and trying to get REALLY lean, the differences are negligible. (In the context of this sites general population, this would be irrelevant but it's still a great resource).

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/fasted-cardio-and-fat-loss-qa.html

jofjltncb6

^^^ I hope they show up, I'd be interested in that research. :-)

I hope they do too...

...because otherwise, I'm just going to look stupid...

...and if there's one thing I don't ever want to do, it's look stupid on MFP*.









(* again, today...for at least the fifth time.)

Even though there's still hope I could be right, I have to admit, it would be for the wrong reasons. I was thinking of the "post-training feeding window" thing. So even if I'm accidentally right, I'm still wrong. People with actual knowledge and real cuts and everything may now continue their discussion. =P

RobynMWilson

I stole this from Chalene Johnson...the best time to work out is whatever time you can work it into your schedule and make it non-negotiable and stick to it! It's different for everybody!

RobynMWilson

a "metabolism jumpstart" doesn't really make sense. What is true is that your body can, and does, use different nutrients in different ways at different points in your daily cycle. Thus my distinction between whether you are in a fasted state, or not. Nothing I know of shows that you burn more calories in the morning. But plenty (as I just linked) shows that you burn more fat while in a fasted state. You could be in a fasted state at 9 PM, but most people are not. So cardio exercise in the morning makes sense for trying to burn off fat and lose weight.

I thought the studies that initially showed increased fat burn from exercising in a fasted state were later determined that it "caught up" when measured over a longer period of time. In other words, while a fasted state showed more fat burn in the first hour or two, it leveled off later in the day...and training in a non-fasted state, while less fat burn initially, made up for it throughout the day.

(But honestly, this is based on my recollection and not based on any actual research I've reread recently. I'm sure if it is (or isn't) the case, someone less lazy than I will show up and post some links shortly.)

I've worked out at all times of day because of my schedule and I'm proof that none of this is true!

jofjltncb6

^^^ I hope they show up, I'd be interested in that research. :-)

I hope they do too...

...because otherwise, I'm just going to look stupid...

...and if there's one thing I don't ever want to do, it's look stupid on MFP*.









(* again, today...for at least the fifth time.)

Even though there's still hope I could be right, I have to admit, it would be for the wrong reasons. I was thinking of the "post-training feeding window" thing. So even if I'm accidentally right, I'm still wrong. People with actual knowledge and real cuts and everything may now continue their discussion. =P

Proofreading my post hours later: "cuts" was supposed to be "cites". I'd complain about autocorrect, but I guess it could have been a lot worse.

martinh78

This guy does pretty well working out in the evenings and through the middle of the night (Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man).



I wanna be as fit as him when I'm 40!

Chadomaniac

any time , theres NO SUCH THING as a good time , obviously dont go doing squats just after u have eaten , wont be pretty

KellyDeitrick

Thanks again for all of the comments. I did work out at 9pm last night and did have a little bit of a hard time sleeping. However, I think I am going to adjust my bedtime just a bit and then I think I will be okay.

I have to tell you it felt absolutely wonderful to be able to workout with no distractions and just focus on me and being consistent in my workout. That is the key...this is a journey, not a one day trip.

Thanks again!:bigsmile:

jofjltncb6

Thanks again for all of the comments. I did work out at 9pm last night and did have a little bit of a hard time sleeping. However, I think I am going to adjust my bedtime just a bit and then I think I will be okay.

I have to tell you it felt absolutely wonderful to be able to workout with no distractions and just focus on me and being consistent in my workout. That is the key...this is a journey, not a one day trip.

Thanks again!:bigsmile:

Awesome. Great start. Hope this time continues to work for you.

Robin_Bin

now

matt2442

There is no perfect time, all that matters is you do it! Even fitness Guru Tony Horton says the same thing!

that being said, working out in the morning gives you energy and gets it done for the day

night...it gives you a good thing to look forward to if you were stressed during the day which is always good...whenever you can is really when id say!

bikinibeliever

Like you, I am NOT going to exercise in the morning. Could I? Sure. Will I keep doing it after the first week? No way! I always exercise after 7 PM and mostly after 9:30 PM. That's what I like and that is what I keep up with.

When I started exercising I hated it. Now when 9 o'clock rolls around I am ready to go. I LOVE exercise now!

Do what you are going to stick with.

freddykid

I workout at lunch and at night since I don't like doing it in the morning. If I workout in the morning, i am hungry all day and I eat more. Just try different times and see what you like. As long as you workout it won't really matter when it happens.

droneofvelvet

Whenever you can!! The more out of the way you go the more likely you are to give it up. I exercise at night right now. My only suggestion is to eat at least an hour before because you might feel uncomfortable if not.