Hi! I've always thought it best to exercise first thing in the morning before eating. Lately I've read a couple articles to the contrary. I do a pretty rigorous workout - 50-60 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes strength training. I usually eat breakfast immediately after, consisting of oatmeal with flaxseed, wheat germ, and soy milk. I've tried eating first a few times and can't really tell any difference. Does it really matter when you eat?
As long as you have enough energy to get through the exercise period I do not believe it matters, whether before or after. Eating immediately after exercise is good to replenish your body's fuel supply. I know there is protein in the soy milk, but your breakfast sounds as though it could be a little light on protein. I understand the ideal after exercise is 4 to 1 carbs to protein.
Doing some type of cardio in the morning before eating is supposed to help you burn more fat. Doing a weight workout prior to eating - not a good idea - you won't have enough energy and risk burning muscle to provide the energy. If you don't want to eat too much prior to your workout, down a protein drink. You do need to refuel after your workout - make sure you're getting the right balance of protein to carbs for that very important post-workout meal.
You should eat something before you workout, especially as yours is a fairly vigorous workout. You aren't just going for a walk around the block here. Your body has fasted for 6-8-10 hours. At least some protein and a few carbs. Fruit and cereal or a yogurt smoothie. I've never been a big breakfast eater, but I force myself to at least make a smoothie before I head out for my morning doggy hike. If I don't, I stop and pick one up on the way.
It's recommended that everyone eat within no longer than 1/2 hour after waking up, just to nourish the body and get it moving again. Even though you are doing a healthy workout, not fueling your body first could actually slow your metabolism down. Your body isn't going to want to burn calories as quickly for fear of not having them.
I thought the same. One morning about 3 years ago I was to meet a cyclist at his home. We were to ride about 50 miles that morning. He is a very serious and competitive rider, racer ECT. He invited me in and offered me some Krusty Pancakes, they were delicious . He also served me a liquid carbo drink. He told me that when ever you ride or cardio over one hour. It's best to eat a nice breakfast at least 45minuets to an hour before. I have been doing it ever since. I have read that oatmeal & a banana is an excellent breakfast. I'm going to try yours. Thanks By the way my friend Robert is now a professional cyclist in Califronia.
I take about a cup of fat free yogurt, a cup of non fat milk and whatever fruit we feel like having that day. Today it was mango, kiwi, banana. Throw it all in the blender, add a little more milk if its too thick and split that with hubby. I usually leave a few fruit chunks in it so we can chew something!
This is a good question. Bottom line eat one hour before rigorous exercise. One hour allows enough time for the food to be digested and STORED in your body as fuel to support your muscles during exercise. Your body will burn MUSCLE for fuel during hard exercise IF you DON'T eat a good hardy healthy meal.
However, just remember that it's pointless to eat 1/2 hour before your exercise because the food hasn't been digested and will just hang out in your stomach UNDIGESTED. During hard exercise certain systems shut down in order to supply oxygen to muscles. One system is the digestive system!
The problem for many busy people is that they don't have the time to eat, then wait one hour then work out for ANOTHER hour and 1/2. In this case they have no choice, exercise when they can!
Hi JKallen - I'll bet your breathing is good from playing woodwinds. I was a rock & roll sax player myself in my youth (teeth gave out). I used to refrain from eating a half hour before playing, mostly to prevent food from getting into my horn, and also to experience that lean and mean feeling while playing. It's a great outlet. I hope you keep it up. - Bob
Thanks for all your imput! Rad, your advice to eat one hour before exercise made alot of sense. Do you eat again after? According to my HR monitor, I burn 450-500 calories in my WO. How many calories do I need to consume before and after? The smoothie sounds great - I'm going to try that! Thanks!
The average woman burns around 1800 calories a day just doing what she does and will maintain her weight at that calorie level. The workout you do puts you into the higher level which is around 2000-2200 calories to maintain your weight.
It's not so much how many calories you consume before or after your workout as what those calories consist of. Doing a vigorous workout requires protein and carbs. After your workout, if you are hungry, by all means, eat, just eat healthy. You've been watching your diet for cholesterol reasons, obviously, you aren't going to go to Krispy Kreme on your way home from the gym. You don't have to replace those calories as soon as you work them off. Eat healthy, fuel your body consistently. Having a constant, fresh source of fuel for your body to draw from will keep it from storing fat and keep your metabolism up.
