Working out on an empty stomach?

Vanessa,

that is an old myth that has been proven false...all it does is utilize stored energy in your body as opposed to whatever quick digesting carbs you may typically ingest in a pre-workout meal.

There are actually several benefits of working out on an empty stomach. When you've fasted for a while your bodys energy supply will be depleted and in order to produce the energy needed for a workout the body will dip into the stored supply i.e the fat.

I always try to get my cardio done before breakfast, then fuel up afterward.



For more info there are several articles on pre-meal workouts and also some scientific papers written on the subject>

http://greatist.com/fitness/why-you-should-exercise-on-an-empty-stomach

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-active-times/shocking-benefits-of-exer_b_5207788.html

Find out what works for you - for me I do work out first thing in a morning on an empty stomach, but more because I have slow digestion and I refuse to spend the hour workout wanting to vomit it all back up.

Although to be honest, I have felt like it's been beneficial to my weight loss, although that could all be in my head.

Newer research has shown that's wrong. I'll admit when you first do it, it's hard because you're not used to it but it's all I do now and very easy to do. It only took me 2 days to get used to it. There's some great information on intermittent fasting out there which is basically what you're doing. I've found this to be the easiest and most effective way I've lost weight and especially body fat. Check out this link, it includes info about working out while fasted http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/08/06/a-beginners-guide-to-intermittent-fasting/

I try to run before breakfast, unless I'm running more than 10k. When I run more than 10k, I make sure I get a good breakfast in, carbs and protein, an hour or two beforehand so that I have some additional energy for all the endurance work.

I do not eat before I work out in the morning for two reasons: One, I get those stomach cramps very easily so I'd have to wait at least an hour after eating before doing anything slightly vigorous and I don't have that kind of time. Two, I like just getting it over with for the day. In general, I prefer working out in the morning because I feel like it snaps me awake more than any caffeine could ever do.

As far as weight loss goes, I have also worked out in the evenings (after I've eaten breakfast and lunch) and I haven't noticed a difference in my weight loss between the two times.

I tried this- and my body felt really quite weak compared to when i eat a small bowel of cereal before i workout. However, i have found that It does also depend on how your body feels that day. Some mornings all i need is literally a few mouth fulls of milk and i can go and do a 1.5 hour workout for example.

I wouldn't recommend training on an empty stomach though generally if it makes you feel bad- as longs as you don't eat to much before you train, and it's healthy, your body will only benefit. Who wants to work out feeling weak and light headed?

If you're body copes fine training on no food, then go for it. It's all about you personally learning to read your own body- we're not all the same.

You have really got to experiment to find what works. On weekdays I swim 2km on a completely empty stomach (not even a drink) and I am perfectly fine. On Saturdays, I have a cup of tea first and find no difference in performance.

Here's a blog post on this very subject:

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/08/does-fasted-cardio-really-burn-more-fat/

When I exercise in the early morning I often will have a cup of coffee or tea and then exercise. I do not exercise without eating for any possible benefit. I do it so that I can get my exercise done and move on with my day. Also in the early morning I find that I am just not hungry. After exercise and a shower I am ready for breakfast.