When to Fuel Your Body

_Shelley_
_Shelley_ Posts: 206
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
I've always gotten mixed messages regarding working out on an empty stomach vs a full stomach. Personally, I do both. On days when I have just cardio, I do it on an empty stomach and days when I have boot camp and cardio, I eat first.

Now, what should I eat and what should I stay away from?

Replies

  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Oh, all the answers you're gonna see!

    I find a light meal before exercise helps me get through it all. Salad with some protein or a small protein shake.
    I'd say stay away from a large number of carbs. They can make you feel sluggish during the workout. Eat them 2-4 hours before, to give you fuel but so you don't feel like you have a brick in your stomach.

    Again, you need to find what works for you. This is my recipe!
  • _Shelley_
    _Shelley_ Posts: 206
    Oh, all the answers you're gonna see!

    I find a light meal before exercise helps me get through it all. Salad with some protein or a small protein shake.
    I'd say stay away from a large number of carbs. They can make you feel sluggish during the workout. Eat them 2-4 hours before, to give you fuel but so you don't feel like you have a brick in your stomach.

    Again, you need to find what works for you. This is my recipe!

    My issue with eating before I work out is that I'm at the gym by 5am and really...getting up any earlier is NOT going to happen. Esp after working til midnight haha.

    I'm trying things out, seeing what works best, how my body reacts to different things. Kind of nervous about introducing whey powder into my diet but I'm still WAY under my calorie count so I guess it can't be TOO bad. Eating at the rights times is what I'm most clueless about.
  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    I have a light meal before a workout, and a big one after. That way, I stay fueled and my body is able to work at its most efficient!
  • _Shelley_
    _Shelley_ Posts: 206
    I have a light meal before a workout, and a big one after. That way, I stay fueled and my body is able to work at its most efficient!

    Thinking of trying my whey and almond milk drink before I work out then eating my usual breakfast after. Balance is key...I just need to find it.

    Thank you.
  • tonymcgurk1
    tonymcgurk1 Posts: 7
    That's a good idea for me to try. I've never really given it much thought. I usually go to the gym after work before dinner of an evening so am training on an empty stomach. Maybe having a protien milk drink before would give me more energy for my workout.
  • fitrene
    fitrene Posts: 52 Member
    I eat a small banana and yogurt about 15-30 min before my weights, then I do cardio, all in the morning. I do weights and cardio 5x a week (30 minutes of weights, 30 minutes of cardio.) Then I eat a high protein meal usually 15-20 minutes after the entire workout.

    I actually just did some research on this not to long ago and I'm finding more and more are going towards something in your stomach. I'm one that has never been able to workout on an empty stomach. The one article I read suggested the banana and yogurt (I'm gluten intolerant, so I have to be picky) and it has really worked for me. It's light and has protein and simple carbs so it does not weigh heavy in my stomach and gives you enough energy to sustain you through your workout, but it's not a sugary mess where I crash 1 hour later either. They also suggested whole grain toast with all natural peanut butter. If you are just doing cardio, I agree with lizard053 about the small meal 2-4 hours before. I would go no long than 4 hours. If you are doing weights, then 15 minutes before should be fine. And again, like she said, you have to find what works for you. It's taken me a while to really get the what to eat before a workout thing down to what works for me.

    Good luck!

    ETA - I just saw where you posted about working out at 5am. Do you drive to the gym or workout at home? I consume mine on the way to the gym. By the time I get there and set up it's been about 15 minutes.
  • _Shelley_
    _Shelley_ Posts: 206
    I work out at gym. Sometimes I eat a small snack on my way, sometimes I don't. I usually do not wake up wanting to eat but some mornings I'm starving. My body is a funny thing lol.
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