Is it damaging to work out after supper?

CherryOnionKiss
CherryOnionKiss Posts: 376 Member
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,
I know that it's best to work out in the morning before you start your day but if I *really* don't have the time and come home late is it damaging to do my work out dvd around 8 PM?

My damaging I mean something like giving me sleep problems, or digestive issues something along those lines.
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Replies

  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    No, it will cause damage. Might keep you awake at best but I don't find that.

    The best time to work out is when you can find time no matter when that is and stick with it.
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    I meant will not cause damage...oops.
  • moran1917
    moran1917 Posts: 1,133 Member
    my workouts start between 7-8 at night. that is my zone, when i do best. it's different for everyone. but it does not cause me any problems at all.
  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    Not at all. Depending on my schedule and kids's schedules I will work out in the evening if that is the time available. Sometimes it takes me a while to calm down and relax enough to fall asleep, but that's about it as far as problems.
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 741 Member
    I have been working out whenever I can since Jan 2nd and it's not caused me any issues. Literally some nights I finish an hours cardio, get a bath (bloody shower is broken) and fall into bed.
  • BaileyBoo13524
    BaileyBoo13524 Posts: 593 Member
    Definitely no damage I read an article that actually said you will sleep better if you workout about an hour before bed :) digestion maybe. I've had issues with it if I do intense cardio like running intervals after dinner, but when I do DVD's at night I don't have any problems :) good luck!
  • beyg
    beyg Posts: 212 Member
    my personal experience if you eat something heavy and a lot of it. It can hurt your tummy, on the other hand if you eat small amount I have no problems. On my long bike rides I can eat several time p&j. lots of fruit, cookies and more P&j. It all goes away fast when i start riding. and I mean riding while eating it, no stomach issues for me. yes I also drink plenty of water.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Working out any time of day is fine, if you can get it in! I don't like to exercise late because it can keep me up. But if it is the only time you have, use it!
  • kaetmarie
    kaetmarie Posts: 668 Member
    i work out after work most days, at like 5 or 6, but when i have a late meeting or something, i go after dinner and it's been fine. i think the best time to work out is when you will ACTUALLY do it!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    The best time to workout is whenever you have time...I don't think there is an advantage to working out in the morning VS working out at night.

    If you find that it gives you problems, then see if you can switch it around. I workout around 5-6 and never have any problems.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i usually eat dinner around 7pm, and dont usually work out until later, between 9 and 11 depending on when my kids go to sleep. i have a protein shake after i workout, and then go to sleep. no problems :) i lost about 6 pounds last month, and 17.5 inches overall in the last 30 days.
  • karreec
    karreec Posts: 15
    Im not really sure u may want to do some research. Ive always worked out in the morning it helps me and I seem to have more energy thru the day. But I do know people who workout at night cause of work etc...
  • Pattiann237
    Pattiann237 Posts: 10
    I work out after dinner once in while. It doesn't cause any problems that I'm aware of, sometimes I find that I even have more energy at that time then I do in the am or right after work.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I know that it's best to work out in the morning before you start your day

    Where did you get that idea from?
  • Angelabec
    Angelabec Posts: 505 Member
    I exercise most nights, after I have eaten, not too long before I go to bed. Hasn't hurt me.
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    The whole 'workout in the morning thing' is another of those myths, I think. I find my workouts are much more effective in the evening after I've had a chance for my body to be digesting some food during the day, and I can use that energy to drive myself harder when I work out. If I try to do it in the morning, I'm more sluggish because I don't have any food energy except what little is left from a full night of sleep.

    So, workout when it best fits your schedule. The only problem I have with working out after eating is that it feels like my food hasn't had a lot of time to settle and that's no fun for me. If it works for you, go for it!
  • homerjspartan
    homerjspartan Posts: 1,893 Member
    Depends on what your supper is. If you eat $14 worth of Taco Bell it could be damaging to your treadmill. Those stains take hours to clean up.
  • skywa
    skywa Posts: 901 Member
    before breakfast and an hour or more after dinner are the best times to work out because your insulin levels are lower.

    so you burn more fat.

    It really depends on your body. some ppl can run right after eating. others cant. and some ppl can sleep soon fallowing a work out.

    i personally cant.

    i wake up at 6 am so i can work out, shower, make breakfast, and be out the door by 8. i make the time! lol. you gotta do that same, how ever you want to do it. C:
  • jezlightyear
    jezlightyear Posts: 167 Member
    The whole 'workout in the morning thing' is another of those myths, I think. I find my workouts are much more effective in the evening after I've had a chance for my body to be digesting some food during the day, and I can use that energy to drive myself harder when I work out. If I try to do it in the morning, I'm more sluggish because I don't have any food energy except what little is left from a full night of sleep.

    i totally agree! i'm not much of a morning person but once i'm up and going i find it a lot easier to stay focused and work out in the evening.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    In my experience, it isn't "damaging" at all. About 95% of my workouts happen in the evening, either right after dinner or even later - after I put my son to bed. It hasn't hurt me in any way and I usually sleep better after a good workout.
  • skywa
    skywa Posts: 901 Member
    I know that it's best to work out in the morning before you start your day

    Where did you get that idea from?

    ^ insulin levels are lower so in theory you burn fat more efficiently :D
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    I know that it's best to work out in the morning before you start your day

    Where did you get that idea from?

    I know I see the advocacy of morning workouts on sites like SparkPeople.com. Nothing against them, but this is just what I call an 'urban legend' of working out that has just been repeated so many times that people believer it. It's like saying you shouldn't eat after 6 PM or that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I often workout at night, around 9ish, as the gym is lovely and quiet then. It hasn't had any ill effects on me that I'm aware of. And it doesn't even impact on my sleeping. I go home, have a hot chocolate, watch a little tv, read a little, and go to sleep.

    I tend to sleep better when I've worked out, regardless of the time I do it.
  • ClaytonRosa
    ClaytonRosa Posts: 19
    Not really.

    I've consulted with several physical trainers about nutrition and timing and most experts just recommend tailoring your eating around your workouts to maximize performance and results.

    If you work out at 8 PM, you want to eat a pretty light dinner around 6 or 6:30pm (at the latest). Give it a hour or so to get processed through your body and you're good to go. After your workout, you can eat something protein-filled to recuperate and recover.

    On taso42's comment, from what I learned and researched, most people recommend working out before you've eaten a day's worth of food. An early morning workout means you're burning off you're base weight, and not just the food you've consumed throughout the day. The level of importance on this varies on the person.
  • Kassieisproud
    Kassieisproud Posts: 149
    Ive heard that when you work out after supper you burn the calories you just ate instead of fat However working our later means your metabolism is boosted while your sleeping
    I usually workout after supper/before i go to bed and ive had good results and it actually helps me sleep
  • BrownEyedJerseyGirl
    BrownEyedJerseyGirl Posts: 97 Member
    Since I've been working out in the evening I found I sleep better. Not only am I waking up less during the night but I'm hitting REM sleep more often and feeling more rested come morning. That has just been my experience.
  • CherryOnionKiss
    CherryOnionKiss Posts: 376 Member
    Thanks guys. I already wake up at 6 AM but then I have to prep my toddler to go to the daycare etc. I just can't seem to fit my work outs in my morning schedule.

    I'll keep doing it in the evening then
  • ahealthy4u
    ahealthy4u Posts: 442 Member
    If you do work out in the evening an find it hard to relax, they do suggest to take a warm bath or shower before going to bed. I do this every now and again and it works great. If I do find myself working out in the evening.
  • ginamaria724
    ginamaria724 Posts: 133
    I always do my workouts around 8 at night! That's the time that works best for me, and the only problems I've ever gotten from doing that was not being able to fall asleep right away.
  • porffor
    porffor Posts: 1,210 Member
    Thanks guys. I already wake up at 6 AM but then I have to prep my toddler to go to the daycare etc. I just can't seem to fit my work outs in my morning schedule.

    I'll keep doing it in the evening then
    This would be my issue and the fact my 2 year old knows when I get up! lol

    I wait till she and her older sister are in bed (she's 7). My 12 year old goes on the exercise bike while I work out.. Then I go on after my work out. It works well and tonight she actually reminded me it was workout time! lol

    I would hate working out on without any food an hour or so before as well.
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