Do you eat before working out ?

aimladuke
aimladuke Posts: 60 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been trying to have a protein bar (usually 200 calories) about an hour before I go to the gym. I guess my thought process is that it will give me more energy for my workout. Is this a good idea ( and is my timing right), or is this causing my body to burn off the food i ate vs. the fat I want gone?
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Replies

  • hannaawh
    hannaawh Posts: 51
    You can eat before or after your workout, it doesn't matter. You do not HAVE to fuel your body before a workout if you're feeling just fine. As long as you're not feeling deprived and you're within your calorie goal, you're good. :)
    Me for example, I can't eat before I workout, not even a snack, it makes me feel sick, so I always eat afterwards and try not to eat 3 hours before a workout. Works better for me.
    Maybe try to go to the gym without this snack and see how you feel.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I work out five days per week, but only one takes place at the gym right now thanks to my work schedule. On my morning workout days, Mondays and Wednesdays, I work out first thing in the morning and have a protein shake about an hour later once I've gotten ready for work, but no food beforehand. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays I work out at night and eat dinner about 1-2 hours beforehand in addition to my post-workout protein shake. I haven't noticed a difference either way.
  • starznholes
    starznholes Posts: 170 Member
    I work out in the evenings and I find that I don't have an appetite after working out, ever. So I normally eat a small dinner anywhere from 1-2 hours prior and that's it.
  • GillianMcK
    GillianMcK Posts: 401 Member
    It depends on what I'm doing, if I'm doing a PT session I would have maybe a handful of nuts or a glass of whole milk about 45min before for the energy, if I'm going out running in the morning then I normally have porridge about 30min before and then take bananas with me if I'm doing my long run so I can fuel throughout the run (13miles upwards before I do this).

    It depends on you, some people can exercise from a fast, some need fuel, try both and see what works for you.
  • ThePinkPanda
    ThePinkPanda Posts: 208 Member
    it depends on the workout for me. i don't eat before doing cardio in the morning to avoid feeling sick while working out. however, on my lifting days, i eat a full meal about an hour and a half- 2 hours before hand. otherwise i get ravenously hungry and have trouble completing my sets.

    I'd say it really depends on how you feel during your workouts. if you find yourself lagging and unable to push through, try eating beforehand. otherwise i wouldn't worry about it too much. i don't know if it affects how or what you burn but if it's a 200 calorie protein bar, i wouldn't think it'd affect you too much.
  • aimladuke
    aimladuke Posts: 60 Member
    But does it effect the efficiency of a workout, or does it not matter because ultimately i'm still at a deficit?
  • robinerikson
    robinerikson Posts: 60
    In my own personal experience, I always eat before I workout because I feel dizzy if I don't. I eat 30-60 minutes before working out.
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    If I'm doing something really intense like a long run or HIIT I can't eat 2 hours before of else I get tummy issues. If I'm strength training or doing yoga I can eat a small something before hand. You don't NEED to eat before a work out necessarily. I don't notice an increase in energy when I do.
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    I don't eat before my workout in the morning cause it drains me, I do however eat dinner, wait about an hour and go to the gym, that is only three nights a week. So far it works for me.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    This is one of those things that really is a matter of personal preference. It can take some experimentation to figure out what works for you. For me, I need some carbs and some protein before I lift in order to get the best workout. But with running I need just carbs. I can't workout fasted; I end up light headed.

    I know a ton of people who can only workout fasted and who get nauseous if they try to eat first.

    Try it a couple of different ways and see what allows you to workout with the most intensity.
  • Crateria_
    Crateria_ Posts: 253 Member
    I typically eat afterwards because working out makes me burp a lot

    lol :P
  • dont_tap_my_aces
    dont_tap_my_aces Posts: 125 Member
    fasted training can be amazing. But you may want to consider consuming 10g of BCAAs prior to working out fasted.
  • starrylioness
    starrylioness Posts: 543 Member
    I tend to have low sugar issues, so I'll eat a light snack and wait maybe 15-20 minutes then work out. Then I'll eat my meal after. But if you have no issues with blood sugar, then it probably doesn't matter. Do what feels right with your own body.
  • ironrat79
    ironrat79 Posts: 273 Member
    I keep it really light like a clif bar or powerbar.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    You can eat before or after your workout, it doesn't matter. You do not HAVE to fuel your body before a workout if you're feeling just fine. As long as you're not feeling deprived and you're within your calorie goal, you're good. :)
    Me for example, I can't eat before I workout, not even a snack, it makes me feel sick, so I always eat afterwards and try not to eat 3 hours before a workout. Works better for me.
    Maybe try to go to the gym without this snack and see how you feel.
    I believe pre-workout nutrition is vital. The amount of time before and the amount of food is the most important factor. Study after study has shown performance in anything is better when "fed". When I mean performance, I am of course talking about gym performance.
  • antt109
    antt109 Posts: 16 Member
    Before and after Weight/Circuit Training
  • capi99
    capi99 Posts: 21
    I can't eat before I workout/run because I feel it gives me cramps. I definitely have some protein afterwards, whether its a bar or a shake.. my trainers in the past said its to feed the muscles or fuel the metabolism after the workout. Can't really remember, just know that's what I was taught :)
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    i dont eat before a run

    i do eat a little before i lift.

    i do feast after a workout.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I eat before and after...I work out at night, so I'll have supper first. When I'm done busting my *kitten* at the gym, I'll come home and have eggs and toast or a smoothie.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    But does it effect the efficiency of a workout, or does it not matter because ultimately i'm still at a deficit?

    a deficit is a deficit....If you maintain on 2,500 calories (example) but only consume 2,000 you will lose weight regardless of whether you eat before or after a workout, late at night, 3 times per day, 20 times per day, etc.

    I always eat before and after my workouts...you have to think about your fitness beyond burning calories...you have to actually fuel your fitness to optimize your fitness.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    For my early morning workouts I don't. Maybe a cup of coffee. If it's lunchtime, I'll have something light about 90 minutes beforehand.
  • LadyWeaselofVT
    LadyWeaselofVT Posts: 77 Member
    I think it comes down to personal preference. I take a walk immediately after lunch but that's just because it's the only break I have during my workday and it helps wake me up for the afternoon. I often finish exercising after work and do so on an empty stomach. My routine hasn't affected my weight loss--- I still lose an average of a pound a week.
  • tycho_mx
    tycho_mx Posts: 426 Member
    But does it effect the efficiency of a workout, or does it not matter because ultimately i'm still at a deficit?

    In this regard, it doesn't seem to matter. Although there are some studies that suggest time to exhaustion is increased when some food is ingested - your body thinks it has more energy. And it seems like the catabolic effects of exercise are diminished with a good portion of carbs and protein after working out strenuously. I think the gym-rat (I used to be one a long time ago!) answer to this is rice and tuna :)

    What can happen is that your nutrient timing affects the quality of your workout, either by being too full or by not being fueled enough to do a quality workout.

    I can't eat a lot before running or doing an intense bicycle race. Maybe a gel. But on a long, not-too-intense bike ride? I've consumed chicken sandwiches, PBJ sandwiches, baked potatoes, cookies, bars, figs... I have a pretty strong gut, and 4 hour rides with no solid foods are hard.
  • Staniel_2013
    Staniel_2013 Posts: 120 Member
    Occasionally I'll have a snack if I'm feeling hungry before a workout but most of the time no. Upsets my stomach to much.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    But does it effect the efficiency of a workout, or does it not matter because ultimately i'm still at a deficit?
    It's vital while being in a deficit. When you're in a surplus, meal timing is not that important.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    But does it effect the efficiency of a workout, or does it not matter because ultimately i'm still at a deficit?

    In this regard, it doesn't seem to matter. Although there are some studies that suggest time to exhaustion is increased when some food is ingested - your body thinks it has more energy. And it seems like the catabolic effects of exercise are diminished with a good portion of carbs and protein after working out strenuously. I think the gym-rat (I used to be one a long time ago!) answer to this is rice and tuna :)

    What can happen is that your nutrient timing affects the quality of your workout, either by being too full or by not being fueled enough to do a quality workout.

    I can't eat a lot before running or doing an intense bicycle race. Maybe a gel. But on a long, not-too-intense bike ride? I've consumed chicken sandwiches, PBJ sandwiches, baked potatoes, cookies, bars, figs... I have a pretty strong gut, and 4 hour rides with no solid foods are hard.
    The catabolic effects are over hyped, especially in the short term. You will not lose all your muscle if you don't eat before you workout.

    I agree with this though, "What can happen is that your nutrient timing affects the quality of your workout, either by being too full or by not being fueled enough to do a quality workout."
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    I usually eat 15-25g of carbs about an hour beforehand, and some protein afterwards. I'm diabetic, and if I don't do the carbs beforehand, I come back shaky.
  • hannaawh
    hannaawh Posts: 51
    But does it effect the efficiency of a workout, or does it not matter because ultimately i'm still at a deficit?

    For losing weight? No, it doesn't effect the efficiency if you can still pull through the workout.
    But again, see how it goes. Do it a couple of times with or without the snack and see what feels better.
    But especially when you're just trying to lose weight, not to gain a huge amount of muscle, you do NOT need to fuel your body before a workout if you're feeling fine.
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    I can't eat before I run, it makes me pukey.

    Depending on when I lift during the day (sometimes early AM sometimes in the evening or even late evening) I may have some carbs and protein... but if it's after lunch, my lunch usually tides me over.

    I have Aussie Rules footy practice on Saturday mornings. Usually I try to force down a banana and some peanut butter, and maybe even a little coffee before because A) getting up at 7:30 on a Saturday is hard and B) it's a lot of sprinting and conditioning work to be doing fasted for 2 hours.
  • Left4Good
    Left4Good Posts: 304
    Well i do Breakfast > Jog (if its not cold or raining) > Lunch > Yoga/Cardio > Video Games > Dinner > Other Stuff > Sleep

    So yes i eat before. It gives me energy.

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