To eat or not to eat that is the question.

I've heard its better to excercise first, because while your sleeping through the night, your body is buring calories. When you wake up and excercise, your body is still in fast mode, and you'll burn off calories you haven't eaten yet.
I've always gone to the gym before eating, just because I get cramps if I eat or drink anything and than work out.

Here's the deal. If you walk or workout on an empty stomach your body will need to pull energy from somewhere.....Fat Stores. If you eat something, your body will use that food as fuel. So when you workout on an empty stomach you will benefit and then eat within the hr afterward and the increased metabolism you just ramped up will burn the food off faster. Double bonus. This is what I've been doing for the last 4 months and I've lost a total of 55 lbs. It works. Also, go to bed on an empty stomach (last meal at least 3 hrs b4 bed) and if you can get a quick 30 minute walk, run, jump rope, climb stairs), you go to bed with an increased metabolism.

I agree. All the branches of the military conduct their morning PT (Physical training - exercise) before Breakfast chow time. 0500 wake-up.

If you were to eat before morning workout. Not only would you be full and sluggish. You'd have to wait an hour to digest. People gotta get to work.

Here's the deal. If you walk or workout on an empty stomach your body will need to pull energy from somewhere.....Fat Stores. If you eat something, your body will use that food as fuel. So when you workout on an empty stomach you will benefit and then eat within the hr afterward and the increased metabolism you just ramped up will burn the food off faster. Double bonus. This is what I've been doing for the last 4 months and I've lost a total of 55 lbs. It works. Also, go to bed on an empty stomach (last meal at least 3 hrs b4 bed) and if you can get a quick 30 minute walk, run, jump rope, climb stairs), you go to bed with an increased metabolism.

I just want to pose the counter point to this one. When you are empty and your body needs fuel, the first thing it goes to (barring any food in you) is your muscles, not fat. It is easier for the muscles to be broken down and turned into energy than it is for fat. If you google the question, there is plenty of evidence to support.

Do yourself a favor and eat something first, and if you choose not to make certain to heavy load on the protein when you are finished. Either way its better than not working out at all, lol.

I agree. All the branches of the military conduct their morning PT (Physical training - exercise) before Breakfast chow time. 0500 wake-up.

If you were to eat before morning workout. Not only would you be full and sluggish. You'd have to wait an hour to digest. People gotta get to work.

I hate to break it to you but I wouldn't use the military as a bench mark. I live in a military town, my dad was in the military, I work for the military, and I have never see them do something because it was a well researched expert backed idea.

P.S. Please don't think I'm bashing people in the service. I have a lot of friends in the service. The leadership can be a little off the wall sometimes.

I agree. All the branches of the military conduct their morning PT (Physical training - exercise) before Breakfast chow time. 0500 wake-up.

If you were to eat before morning workout. Not only would you be full and sluggish. You'd have to wait an hour to digest. People gotta get to work.

I hate to break it to you but I wouldn't use the military as a bench mark. I live in a military town, my dad was in the military, I work for the military, and I have never see them do something because it was a well researched expert backed idea.

P.S. Please don't think I'm bashing people in the service. I have a lot of friends in the service. The leadership can be a little off the wall sometimes.

haha, if you've never experienced basic training or any other extended military training program for that matter...you have no idea what I'm talkin about. Yeah their are some unhealthy people and overweight soldiers in the system....only because they've found ways to get by. My point is, I've seen some major weight loss amongst my buddies. They didn't get it from P90x.

I agree. All the branches of the military conduct their morning PT (Physical training - exercise) before Breakfast chow time. 0500 wake-up.

If you were to eat before morning workout. Not only would you be full and sluggish. You'd have to wait an hour to digest. People gotta get to work.

I hate to break it to you but I wouldn't use the military as a bench mark. I live in a military town, my dad was in the military, I work for the military, and I have never see them do something because it was a well researched expert backed idea.

P.S. Please don't think I'm bashing people in the service. I have a lot of friends in the service. The leadership can be a little off the wall sometimes.

haha, if you've never experienced basic training or any other extended military training program for that matter...you have no idea what I'm talkin about. Yeah their are some unhealthy people and overweight soldiers in the system....only because they've found ways to get by. My point is, I've seen some major weight loss amongst my buddies. They didn't get it from P90x.

I wasn't meaning to imply that they would be overweight or unhealthy because there is no breakfast for PT or even that not eating before is bad. I was saying that just because the military does it, doesn't mean it is the best practice. (Entering a statement of pure supposition) They probably have PT before breakfast because they are afraid of people eating a large breakfast and being lethargic, which I believe you said earlier and is not what I am advocating. I am advocating something small and carbohydrate based.

So I just spoke to a fitness specialist that has a college degree for this type of stuff and she basically said that if you consider you body as a machine, waking up in the morning and eating something is like starting the engine to your matabolism (so it doesn't necessary make your system excelerate like adding gas, but it starts it up so it can begin working) The problem with working out without any food is that your body is going to be tired and won't have energy to work well (personall, I don't think I could run 5 miles after waking up and nothing in my system and not pass out :sick: ).

She recommended you eat something very small and light like a hardboiled egg, apple, banana something to get your body going and give it energy. When you are working out the amount of calories you burn will be more than that small snack, so you will still be burning the extra stuff. After the workout you can have the rest of your breakfast. :drinker:

As with all things everyone system works different and you just have to figure out what works best for youl :happy:

You'll hear many arguments for and against exercise on an empty stomach.

In theory, because your blood sugar levels are low, exercise in a fasted state (usually first thing in the morning) will help you burn fat faster.

Critics say that exercise for more than 30 minutes on an empty stomach is unhealthy, and won't help you burn fat faster than normal. Without the necessary energy to fuel your workout, muscle protein gets burned for energy.

They also advise against weight training on an empty stomach. Because a lot of energy is required for this kind of exercise, you won't be able to work your muscles hard enough to stimulate muscle growth.

Just a little more...

Here's the deal. If you walk or workout on an empty stomach your body will need to pull energy from somewhere.....Fat Stores. If you eat something, your body will use that food as fuel. So when you workout on an empty stomach you will benefit and then eat within the hr afterward and the increased metabolism you just ramped up will burn the food off faster. Double bonus. This is what I've been doing for the last 4 months and I've lost a total of 55 lbs. It works. Also, go to bed on an empty stomach (last meal at least 3 hrs b4 bed) and if you can get a quick 30 minute walk, run, jump rope, climb stairs), you go to bed with an increased metabolism.

This is good advice. I always wonder about this topic. It sounds like it is working for you!! :happy:

Wow! I am confused now. So it sounds like, your damn if you do and damn if you don't. (Pardon my french):blushing: I usually try to do a brisk 30 minute walk before work--so this is before eating anything or drinking a cup of joe. So I need some expert advise--should I eat something lite, so I won't burn up muscle or do I not eat anything so I can burn up fat???

Really either way you will burn muscle. Your body will use the glycogen from muscle tissue for energy during aerobic activity. Once all of that is gone, it will burn fat for energy. This is a basic rule of anatomy.

The problem lies in that you need to replenish those muscles immediately. By eating pre-workout, you are starting the digestive process earlier, therefor allowing the nutrients to start making their way to the muscles earlier.

Please remember it is not an all or nothing position either. While your body is using glycogen from the muscle tissue, it is still burning some fat. **The body uses fat as a delivery method for nutrients, both in and out**

That's why the debate is so long on the topic. You really can do it either way, but make sure you know what you are doing so you can reap the maximum benefit from your hard work. :drinker:

Thank you for clearing that up. This helps.

If you guys want, I can break it down for you. I have done serious research on this topic. And (if I can find them, it's been a few months, and I have them tucked away somewhere) I have some clinical research that proves it all out, along with some articles from leading experts in the field.

The long and short of it is.
In reality it makes very little difference if you eat before you exercise, after you exercise, 10 minutes before, 30 minutes after...etc.

Here's the deal. It's more complicated than just, exercise after you eat, and you're body burns the food. That's not really true in most cases.
If you guys are eating healthy food, like you should be; complex carbs with fiber, and protein, and fats, then your body just doesn't immediately break all that down, it takes hours and hours to get that out of your system and into your muscles as glycogen and amino acids and lipids. When you exercise, your body burns glycogen, glycogen is stored in muscle and in the liver and is made from glucose. Glucose is converted mostly from carbohydrates, in the absence of carbs, the body will break down both protein and fat(body fat) to make glucose as well. The body doesn't just break down fat if there's extra body fat, any more than it just breaks down protein when there's no fat. It does both, at any time, when the glucose supply starts to go down, the body attempts to replenish it. Unfortunately, it takes a lot longer to create glycogen from glucose, then it does to burn glycogen during moderate aerobic exercise (and even longer from protein or stored body fat). So eventually the body will replenish the glycogen in the muscles and liver, but not right away. You'll be glad to know that the body stores enough glycogen to go for well over an hour at a moderate pace (between 75% and 85% or so HRmax), so generally most people don't really get into a position where you're in the anaerobic metabolism (a whole different matter).

So you see guys, no matter what you eat DURING exercise or just before, you're not burning a heck of a lot of fat vs muscle, you're burning glycogen (some small amount that digests during the exercise maybe, but that's it). What matters more is what you eat (whether it's before or after you exercise matters little) in the morning BECAUSE of the exercise. Low glycemic index foods with high fiber will keep the blood sugar low, keeping insulin down, thus minimizing the storage of fat in the body, this forces the body to use more carbohydrates for direct mitochondrial energy rather than storing it (I skipped about a zillion chemical steps there, but ...)

Moral of this story? Exercise good, low glycemic foods good, fiber good.

Does when you eat make a difference? I imagine it does a VERY little bit, but not enough to care about IMHO, as long as you are reasonable (I.E. not waiting till lunch time for your first meal or something silly like that). What matters more is WHAT you eat, and in what quantity.

If you guys want, I can break it down for you. I have done serious research on this topic. And (if I can find them, it's been a few months, and I have them tucked away somewhere) I have some clinical research that proves it all out, along with some articles from leading experts in the field.

The long and short of it is.
In reality it makes very little difference if you eat before you exercise, after you exercise, 10 minutes before, 30 minutes after...etc.

Here's the deal. It's more complicated than just, exercise after you eat, and you're body burns the food. That's not really true in most cases.
If you guys are eating healthy food, like you should be; complex carbs with fiber, and protein, and fats, then your body just doesn't immediately break all that down, it takes hours and hours to get that out of your system and into your muscles as glycogen and amino acids and lipids. When you exercise, your body burns glycogen, glycogen is stored in muscle and in the liver and is made from glucose. Glucose is converted mostly from carbohydrates, in the absence of carbs, the body will break down both protein and fat(body fat) to make glucose as well. The body doesn't just break down fat if there's extra body fat, any more than it just breaks down protein when there's no fat. It does both, at any time, when the glucose supply starts to go down, the body attempts to replenish it. Unfortunately, it takes a lot longer to create glycogen from glucose, then it does to burn glycogen during moderate aerobic exercise (and even longer from protein or stored body fat). So eventually the body will replenish the glycogen in the muscles and liver, but not right away. You'll be glad to know that the body stores enough glycogen to go for well over an hour at a moderate pace (between 75% and 85% or so HRmax), so generally most people don't really get into a position where you're in the anaerobic metabolism (a whole different matter).

So you see guys, no matter what you eat DURING exercise or just before, you're not burning a heck of a lot of fat vs muscle, you're burning glycogen (some small amount that digests during the exercise maybe, but that's it). What matters more is what you eat (whether it's before or after you exercise matters little) in the morning BECAUSE of the exercise. Low glycemic index foods with high fiber will keep the blood sugar low, keeping insulin down, thus minimizing the storage of fat in the body, this forces the body to use more carbohydrates for direct mitochondrial energy rather than storing it (I skipped about a zillion chemical steps there, but ...)

Moral of this story? Exercise good, low glycemic foods good, fiber good.

Does when you eat make a difference? I imagine it does a VERY little bit, but not enough to care about IMHO, as long as you are reasonable (I.E. not waiting till lunch time for your first meal or something silly like that). What matters more is WHAT you eat, and in what quantity.

Makes sense-thanks for the info.

This is kinda the same debate when people were discussing whether to work out in the morning as opposed to night. As if your body only allows you to work out either/or? haha. I think the point is, when your working out, eating right... sometimes it just comes down to convienence when your schedule your meals and exercise time. There are some famous bodybuilders that used to burn the oil throughout the night. Your body isn't a light switch...its always operating.

Yes, that's essentially what I was trying to say. I just don't articulate very well some times.

This is kinda the same debate when people were discussing whether to work out in the morning as opposed to night. As if your body only allows you to work out either/or? haha. I think the point is, when your working out, eating right... sometimes it just comes down to convienence when your schedule your meals and exercise time. There are some famous bodybuilders that used to burn the oil throughout the night. Your body isn't a light switch...its always operating.

Yes, that's essentially what I was trying to say. I just don't articulate very well some times.

I think that was the challenge I found myself dealing with when I decided to "get real" about making a change in my life. Was understanding what works. It was tough at first, because your just bombarded with ideas, techniques and opinions. And just like a-holes, everyone has one. I mean, in one instance you dont' want to start out by over complicating everything (all the numbers, facts, info) but then you don't want to waste your time doing the "wrong" things either. I started reading a book suggested to me, just so I had somewhere to start. It broke things down to beginner all the way up to like super-bad-*kitten*-advanced. Which gave me time to get a base started not just with my exercise routines, but my eating habits as well.

Learning to make reasonable goals, but goals that were challenging enough to yield results. Understanding the difference between long term and short term goals. If all you have to keep you motivated are BIG lofty goals...you'll never see progress and just give up; that goes with eating and working out.

Asking questions and not being afraid too. Doing some research. Learning to cut through the psuedo-science and picking up good, fundamental information that for the most part is consistent amongst all the advice.

Finally, understanding my body in a way that is simple. I like to refer to my body, like a car. I'm a mechanic by trade, so when I think of my body in terms of a machine. It just makes sense to me.
I can relate. Not only can I relate, I start to enjoy learning and putting it to practice.

I can't say I've been the most successful. Cause I've seen some people on here with some amazing results. But I understand and acknowledge, that everyone is different. What works for you, may not work for my body. Staying patient, diligent and taking the punches as I go. It works