Exercise in morning burns....muscle?!? - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Milla · 06-05-2002, 10:02 PM

Hi All!
I've been working myself into a workout routine over the summer to help get me in tip-top shape for my black belt test. I've read in lots of places that it is best to cardio in the morning before eating to burn the maximum amount of fat.
However, I've also read in a few places that this can be bad if you are also looking to build muscle because your body will metabolize your muscle for energy.
Lastly, I've also heard that if I exercise a ton over the summer, get in shape, take my test and then slack off on the exercise, that some of the muscle I've built can actually turn into fat.

Now, I think that this sounds like B/S but then again, I don't really know much :-)
If you guys could give me some tips/info, that would be really great.

Would it help any if I ate something small like maybe one of those fruit and grain bars before running in the morning?

Thanks!

N2Deep · 06-05-2002, 10:11 PM

It is true that you burn more fat if you workout/exercise in the AM before you eat(from what I have heard it can be up to 300% more). However if you don't have much fat for your body to convert for use as energy then yes you might be hurting your muscles. If you have low body fat to begin with I would suggest eating a small amount of carbs for use as energy. And then eating a high protein low carb meal after your workout. And plenty of H2O! You muscles with thank you:P

langman · 06-05-2002, 10:24 PM

Milla,

What you need to do is to get a dietician to work out a balanced diet for you. When execising regularly you need hydrocarbons to supply energy. If you do not supplement you diet to accomodate the higher demand for energy your body will use the muscle tissue when there is no longer fat to burn.

With regards to muscle turning to fat. As I understand it it is not actually the muscle turning to fat although the muscle will relax as soon as it not exercised anymore. What normally happens is that when a person stops exercising they usually do not alter their diet and because of say a high intake in hydrocarbons during training there is no way of burning these thus causing the hydrocarbons to turn to fat.

I used to cycle competitively and did not alter my diet after stopping cycling about 18 months ago. Within 8 months I gained about 10 kilos and really battled to get rid of the excess. I since have started cycling again and am almost back to my target weight.

Regards

Naxis · 06-06-2002, 07:08 AM

If your goal is fat loss, then cardio before breakfast will help to burn fat faster. Since you are already glucose-depleted when you wake up, your body has to use more fat for fuel. If you are looking for better performance, endurance... all that (which when going for a black belt, I'd think would be more important) then something small and light before hand is certainly fine.
langman is right about muscles after exercising. Muscle and fat tissue are two very different things. But atrophied muscles get more loose and soft over time. In addition to fat gained from a change in physical level, but not diet, it seems to "soften" one up. So just keep in shape and you'll be fine.

ScottGee · 06-06-2002, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Milla:

I've been working myself into a workout routine over the summer to help get me in tip-top shape for my black belt test. I've read in lots of places that it is best to cardio in the morning before eating to burn
the maximum amount of fat.

However, I've also read in a few places that this can be bad if you are also looking to build muscle because your body will metabolize your muscle for energy.

Lastly, I've also heard that if I exercise a ton over the summer, get in shape, take my test and then slack off on the exercise, that some of the muscle I've built can actually turn into fat.

Would it help any if I ate something small like maybe one of those fruit and grain bars before running in the morning?

Hi,
My first question is: What do you mean by tip top shape? Is Your goal just to lose body fat? I don't know your current stats so I can't say but I would assume that if you are about to take a test that you are not too far from where you need to be. (Could be wrong)

If your goal is merely to burn fat then the first thing you read is correct (everyone's different so this can be modified in order to get you going... to some people that just means drinking a cup of coffee to get going.)

If you intend on doing something that is Muscle sparing then the second thing thayou read is CLOSER to being correct. While you won't lose all of your muscle (i.e. STRENGHT) burning fat and building muscle are extremely difficult to do at the same time. To top that off if you are considering taking ANY of those thermogenic aids/fat burners... know that they are not very Muscle sparing. YOU WILL LOSE SOME MUSCLE!

NO , your muscle won't turn to fat but these guys are right. You will gain fat which will cover the muscle if when your activity (caloric demand) lessens, you forget to lessen your intake (caloric supply). Because what is not used up will be deposited.
In addition, lack of use = atrophy. Your muscle and strength WILL slowly begin to disappear.

My suggestion to you is to get into shape by periodizing your training. Do some functional things that will increase your speed and agility in the areas that are important to your sport. Change up your training to include some explosive movements/ plyometrics and multiple high intensity interval training for your endurance. You will be stronger and more prepared at a higher level than if you were to use traditional training methods.

(All those karate/kung fu movies and Rocky movies that show crazy training methods are not too far from truth

)