Eating Before or After a Workout

[ace13 0]

With my current schedule, the only time I have to workout is 5am-6am. I have read that you should eat 2 hours before working out--That would mean 3am. Seeing that I like SLEEP, that doesn't seem to work for my schedule. Do any of you work out on an empty stomach--I don't want to loose muscle by fasting. Any advice f For some reason, shakes creep me out--like I'm on Slimfast--maybe I should try a protein shake?

[Lilith** 0]

I don't know where to start.........

Slimfast??

try a normal diet.........shakes are no answer.....eat a balanced diet and exercise......eat for health not for vanity, walk 20 minutes a day.

[Fandango 1,439]

slimfast tastes like candy compared to whey protein, trust me

[ace13 0]

I don't know where to start.........

Slimfast??

try a normal diet.........shakes are no answer.....eat a balanced diet and exercise......eat for health not for vanity, walk 20 minutes a day.

If you read my post you would have realized that I don't like shakes. I was looking for advice not abuse.

Who said anything about vanity and I am running 4 to 5 miles a day

[Fandango 1,439]

Hey Ace, how about a meal replacement bar? Oh, and to answer the original ques, I'd eat before....maybe even break it up to a small meal before and a small one after?

Edited February 15, 2006 by LisaD

[ace13 0]

slimfast tastes like candy compared to whey protein, trust me

I don't drink Slimfast--someone had mentioned protein shakes as an energy boost before workout, but I have never been a liquid diet fan. I try to eat a big breakfast, smaller lunch and very little for dinner. But a big breakfast doesn't go with my training schedule. I am just concerned about working out on an empty stomach because of this change.

Hey Ace, how about a meal replacement bar? Oh, and to answer the original ques, I'd eat before....maybe even break it up to a small meal before and a small one after?

Yeah--I was thinking something like that or nothing before hand and watching my strength. As my milage goes up in the coming weeks, I am just concerned about strenth through the run and if you eat-cramping and feeling like I am going to throw up.

[ceriserose 1]

I cannot eat upon waking (I'll throw up...tetchy stomach). I also have a similar workout schedule. I do my workout on an empty stomach...about 20 minutes of stretching/weights and 20-30 of cardio.

By the time I'm done I'm hungry, but I have no adverse affects to not eating when I workout at the start of the day. (Actually it helps me wake up a bit and I can eat earlier than I would normally.)

[ace13 0]

I cannot eat upon waking (I'll throw up...tetchy stomach). I also have a similar workout schedule. I do my workout on an empty stomach...about 20 minutes of stretching/weights and 20-30 of cardio.

By the time I'm done I'm hungry, but I have no adverse affects to not eating when I workout at the start of the day. (Actually it helps me wake up a bit and I can eat earlier than I would normally.)

Thanks B) I have always worked out mid morning after my big breakfast and have mentally trained myself to think that is the best. Now, because I have to do it earlier, I am just paranoid

[Fandango 1,439]

Alright, well I'ma go by what I used to know...before my accident, I worked out 3 hours a day 7 days a week. I was in the best shape of my life & all my friends were competitive bodybuilders. I remember we used to work out early in the am, and eat breakkie afterwards (egg whites and oatmeal)....but working out very hard on an empty stomach is very hard to do, and you could pass out, or not have enough strength to really give it your all during the workout. Obviously, your body needs fuel for this, and from what I remeber, your body will be using fat storage for fuel.

But on the flip side, you could possibly be losing muscle mass if there's not enough fat storage to burn. Also, if you theoretically woke up, ate a small protein bar or something, then worked out...it would take time for your body to break down the protein bar...about an hour or so if I'm not mistaken. So you wouldn't get that lightheaded feeling that you might if you trained on an empty stomach

As long as you don't eat a huge breakkie beforehand, cos who wants to work out after eating a full meal? Not me!

Now I am not a nutritionist or anything like that, so check with a doctor or professional to really make sure.

[ceriserose 1]

I cannot eat upon waking (I'll throw up...tetchy stomach). I also have a similar workout schedule. I do my workout on an empty stomach...about 20 minutes of stretching/weights and 20-30 of cardio.

By the time I'm done I'm hungry, but I have no adverse affects to not eating when I workout at the start of the day. (Actually it helps me wake up a bit and I can eat earlier than I would normally.)

Thanks B) I have always worked out mid morning after my big breakfast and have mentally trained myself to think that is the best. Now, because I have to do it earlier, I am just paranoid

hehe I cannot help you with your paranoia until I've conquered mine.

I had a coworker who ran daily...various times dependent on our work schedule. If she worked out it was always at least an hour after eating. However, she never did the 5 am/6 am workout. I doubt she would have eaten beforehand. I know the waiting was just so she didn't cramp up.

Personally I believe that when you do the early early workout your body is not quite out of the sleep/food deprivation mode. No harm, no foul.

Thing is, you can always try it and see how you do. Sometimes even just a little water before a workout (and during of course) can fill up the stomach enough to help with that empty feeling.

[Lilith** 0]

-like I'm on Slimfast--maybe I should try a protein shake?

Sorry.....no 'abuse' meant.......I thought slimfast was a shake......I was just going by your orginal post........

[Peter Miami 0]

Hi Anna,

You could eat and work out, what you can not do is have a big meal before you work out. If you have a big meal you should wait about two hours.

In order to give you better advice I need to know if you want to gain muscle or loss fat? This is a general advice if you tell me more of yourself and what you want to accomplish I could tailor it to you. Protein shakes is a very good and fast way to go, trust me slim fast is nothing like a protein shake. There are very different types of protein shakes and flavors. Your best bet would be to go to a nutrient store and try different types. You could also eat; fruits, cereal & milk, fruit juices, breakfast foods (Cream of Wheat, Quaker, grits, etc), Protein Bars (very good & fast), you could also have eggs, pancakes, or some small breakfast.

I have work-out both with weights and/or cardio with a empty stomach and with food in my stomach. I rather work out with something in my stomach because it gives me more energy. But this is up to the individual.

You could also break-down your work out too twice a day. Weights in the morning and cardio at night. Like this instead of being at the gym 1 ½ to 2, you could go for 30 to 45 minutes in the morning and 15 to 30 minutes at night for cardio. You could mix this up either way or one day cardio and another day weights.

Good luck and find a way to take care of yourself and your body both inside and outside. I have given you many options so pick one, two, three or all of them. Remember this is for your health also.

Regards,

Peter Miami

[Fandango 1,439]

Oh, keep in mind that your metabolism is based on your rate of lean muscle mass to your body, so if you do work out so hardcore that you're burning your muscle mass, your metabolism will actually go down, not up.

Hi Anna,

You could eat and work out, what you can not do is have a big meal before you work out. If you have a big meal you should wait about two hours.

In order to give you better advice I need to know if you want to gain muscle or loss fat? This is a general advice if you tell me more of yourself and what you want to accomplish I could tailor it to you. Protein shakes is a very good and fast way to go, trust me slim fast is nothing like a protein shake. There are very different types of protein shakes and flavors. Your best bet would be to go to a nutrient store and try different types. You could also eat; fruits, cereal & milk, fruit juices, breakfast foods (Cream of Wheat, Quaker, grits, etc), Protein Bars (very good & fast), you could also have eggs, pancakes, or some small breakfast.

I have work-out both with weights and/or cardio with a empty stomach and with food in my stomach. I rather work out with something in my stomach because it gives me more energy. But this is up to the individual.

You could also break-down your work out too twice a day. Weights in the morning and cardio at night. Like this instead of being at the gym 1 ½ to 2, you could go for 30 to 45 minutes in the morning and 15 to 30 minutes at night for cardio. You could mix this up either way or one day cardio and another day weights.

Good luck and find a way to take care of yourself and your body both inside and outside. I have given you many options so pick one, two, three or all of them. Remember this is for your health also.

Regards,

Peter Miami

Peter, no disrespect inteded, but the last thing I'd advise is to consume fructose before a workout...who needd their blood sugar spiking up?

Or pancakes even.

[MrMrsKnight 0]

A year ago, the gym that I go to performed a research and we found out it's better if you eat 90 minutes before working out. I don't know how to explain it so well so I'll post something on here if I find it!

[ace13 0]

Oh, keep in mind that your metabolism is based on your rate of lean muscle mass to your body, so if you do work out so hardcore that you're burning your muscle mass, your metabolism will actually go down, not up.

That is exactly what I am worried about!

To answer Peter Miami:

I am training 4-5 days a week running. Right now 4-5 miles a day. On off days I do something light, biking, walking-something active and everyday I do core training. Stretching, crunches, yoga. I don't do much with weights other than small dumb bells-5 lbs and less. I get so many differing opinions on food-meal sizes, times etc. I was just curious what the board had to say about it. Thanks.