Dinner First?

smclean77
smclean77 Posts: 15 Member
edited December 26 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello:

I have been a member for a while now, but have never really used the site until now. I have question that may or may not have been asked before.

With my work and commute schedule evenings will be my primary time to workout. My question is this, should dinner be eaten before hand or after? I get home M-F at 6:30 PM. If I wait til after, I wouldn't be eating until 8:30 or 9. It just doesn't seem right to eat that late considering I go to bed around 10-11 PM. Yet the thought of eating before hand doesn't seem right either.

What do you do? Maybe I just need to try it both ways and see what works for me?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks.

Replies

  • solman66
    solman66 Posts: 175 Member
    I'd say try both.
    I have a very similar schedule. I never used to be hungry after work, so I ate after getting home from the gym around 9-9:30. Sometimes I found myself not hungry at all after a cardio workout and drinking a liter of water, which I didn't like. I've switched to eating before or eating something light before and light snack after. Both worked fine as far as weight loss, I just prefer eating beforehand.
  • girl6_nyc
    girl6_nyc Posts: 37
    I have a very similar schedule. I work out as soon as I get home & my husband cooks dinner. By the time dinner is done so is my workout, which takes about 45-55 minutes.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I get home from work at 6pm. I work out as soon as I get home. Because if I were to eat dinner first - I wouldn't be able to workout afterwards on a full belly. And If I procrastinate on the workout too long I won't get it done.


    So It's as soon as I come through the door! Dinner is around 8;30 sometimes 9pm...it has never hindered my progress eating that late in the evening.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I'd say it depends on the type of workout you're doing and how you feel.

    I prefer to go running at 5:00AM but that doesn't always work out so I'll often run when I get home from work around 6:00 and I've found I usually have plenty of energy for runs up to an hour or so.

    If I'm doing my weights I prefer to eat first and then workout a couple of hours later.

    I'm not sure if it makes any real difference from a physiological point of view, do what works for you. If you're really hungry when you get home from work you could try a good snack in the afternoon and a smaller diner after working out. It's a bit of trial and error.
  • smclean77
    smclean77 Posts: 15 Member
    Thank you, everyone. I will try it several different ways and see what fits best.
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