Hi I just have a quick question: Is it better to eat before or after I exercise. I've been trying to do 35min of cardio in the morning but if I don't eat anything then I feel really weak. Is it bad to eat right before exercising?

For me, it works best if I have a snack before I exercise. This could be peanut butter/crackers or half a bagel. Just something to make sure I have enough calories to feed my muscles.

If the goal is fat loss, it's better to eat after. Otherwise while you are working out you're burning what you just ate instead of letting your body use fat for fuel. If you're working out to stay fit, then snacking before hand is a good idea.

thanks very much for your replies. Well, my goal is weight loss but my time of choice to exercise is in the morning and I usually feel weak first if I don't eat any breakfast. I'm trying to do about 35-40min 6 days a week of cardio (stationary bike) and I've started using some weights and pilates like every other day. Do you think this is enough to lose weight? Should I be doing more cardio?

No need for more cardio. 6 days a week is plenty. The workout looks good (with the addition of some resistance training). Diet is going to be the key at this point. Eat clean and you'll see great results.

thanks very much for your replies. Well, my goal is weight loss but my time of choice to exercise is in the morning and I usually feel weak first if I don't eat any breakfast. I'm trying to do about 35-40min 6 days a week of cardio (stationary bike) and I've started using some weights and pilates like every other day. Do you think this is enough to lose weight? Should I be doing more cardio?


Looks like a good plan! Yes, eat right after working out as your body will immediately break down this food and then start to take down fat stores.

I try to eat something light, like a banana or yogurt about an hour before I workout. If I eat more, I usually feel sick after I workout.

It can be a challenge though, finding the time.

I recently started working from home, so it's a bit easier now than it was, but you still have to discpline yourself to workout no matter what (easily said, huh?).

Sandy :wave:
MT, SAHM, WAHM

I say before exercise, if you do not eat and are in famine mode, even if only minor for that day and exercise you will burn up glycogen and muscles and little fat, if you eat something like a bagel or juices or a substantial breakfast then you can spare your muscles and burn fat.

even tho someone said that you burn what you ate that is exactly what you want to do, because as you build muscles up your body will use fat for fuel more often and more effeciently, restrict your eating and force it to tap into it's reserves and it will use muscles instead and without muscles you become weak and can't burn fat for stamina effieiciently.

in other words as you build the muscles and eat before the workout the body will use what you ate but will also eventually add fat along with it, if you do the steady and slow (and this varies per person) you burn about 40 percent glucose and 60 percent fat. this i think is called areobically.

but if you restrict your caloires especially good carbs you will cause the body to reduce the fat use and use muscles and glycogen instead which will also put you on the famine feast cycle that causes overfatness and low muscles. so while you may be trying to burn up your fat and you think eating will cause the body to use what you ate and not the fat, you haven't studied biology.

that is not how the body works.

RR

I say before exercise, if you do not eat and are in famine mode, even if only minor for that day and exercise you will burn up glycogen and muscles and little fat, if you eat something like a bagel or juices or a substantial breakfast then you can spare your muscles and burn fat.

even tho someone said that you burn what you ate that is exactly what you want to do, because as you build muscles up your body will use fat for fuel more often and more effeciently, restrict your eating and force it to tap into it's reserves and it will use muscles instead and without muscles you become weak and can't burn fat for stamina effieiciently.

in other words as you build the muscles and eat before the workout the body will use what you ate but will also eventually add fat along with it, if you do the steady and slow (and this varies per person) you burn about 40 percent glucose and 60 percent fat. this i think is called areobically.

but if you restrict your caloires especially good carbs you will cause the body to reduce the fat use and use muscles and glycogen instead which will also put you on the famine feast cycle that causes overfatness and low muscles. so while you may be trying to burn up your fat and you think eating will cause the body to use what you ate and not the fat, you haven't studied biology.

that is not how the body works.

RR

I was not referring to starving yourself..... I'm referring to not eating a normal meal right before you workout. I always snack on something before a workout, but never eat much. I agree that if you simply starve yourself, your body will be put into famine mode and you will also lack energy to workout. Of course a lack of energy will also be the case if you pig out as your body will be busy digesting that food.

I just have always heard it is beneficial to eat say dinner after you workout in the evening. I usually have an oatmeal bar or some yogurt right after work and hit the gym around 530 or 6pm and then eat around 700 or 730 pm. This seems to work for me......