when to exercise

Dmitri · May 3, 2010

Is it better to exercise before eating, when you have an empty belly, or after eating, when you have a better chance of working off the meal?

Dallmeyer · May 3, 2010

I would say before the meal (digestion requires blood/body resources) make sure you are hydrated and not really hungry/low blood sugar. maybe have some fruit or something a little before you start.

mwcfarms · May 3, 2010

I work out 5 days a week weight lifting. I recently have changed to mornings ug 6 am from 5pm. I have a protein shake before I go work out and if my stomach is cramping I might have a small yogurt. Something easily digestable. You dont want to have a full stomach it makes you feel bloated and depending on the excersise activity can actually hinder your workout. After I work out I make sure to eat a balanced meal of whole grain carbs, protein and fruit within an hour. Usually oatmeal with dry curd cottage cheese and strawberries in it. If you do need to eat before make sure to give yourself an hour to digest. HTH's but each individual is different. What might work for me might not for you. Good luck.

Joves · May 3, 2010

I usually just eat a Powerbar before or, some form of liquid food.

Dominantly · May 3, 2010

Before going to the gym I will take my vitamins with a banana and some tea or juice.

The more important meal is the post workout meal.

You have a window of "opportunity" after your workout to get your protein and carbs in during the protein synthesis. They say it should be in your system in 30 mins or less, so while you may go pound a steak and baked potato, it won't do much good as your body will take much longer then 30 mins to digest and break it down.
Thus drinking a good, well balanced protein shake after your workout is the ideal solution.

Sbuxo · May 3, 2010

not on an empty stomach, even though people say it burns fat if you do but that's a myth. Your best bet is after because your body needs energy before it goes into starvation mode. workout after you eat and then replenish with protein within an hour.

FemFugler · May 4, 2010

To be honest i don't think it really matters. Just don't do it right after you eat, wait a half an hour to an hour at least before working out. Also, obviously not on an empty stomach or else you'll have no energy be drained!

Josh220 · May 4, 2010

What is it you are working out for? What are you trying to do? (Build muscle/gain weight, lose weight, tone up, etc).

Dmitri · May 4, 2010

When I quit smoking about a year and a half ago, I gained myself a nice belly. I'm trying to get rid of it and I found a nice "10 minute a day" routine, but I'm confused on if it matters when I eat.

In this thread I've found that I should eat before exercising, after exercising and taht it doesn't matter :lol:

Luckily no one said to eat while exercising!!

Overread · May 4, 2010

I was just about to suggest that!!

Honestly if you want advice on healthy dieting and weight loss I would say head down to your local gymn. Often there might be programs or advice points there (if nothing else leaflets and such) which should be able to give you some constructive starting points and advice.
I'd also say (though it sounds like your not going to but I'll say it anyway

) try not to shock/overtax your system with sudden changes in diet and activity. Any big changes need to really be done with some constructive research so that you will not only achive your end result but also do so in a manner that won't leave you damanging your health in the process

Josh220 · May 4, 2010

Dmitri said:
When I quit smoking about a year and a half ago, I gained myself a nice belly. I'm trying to get rid of it and I found a nice "10 minute a day" routine, but I'm confused on if it matters when I eat.

In this thread I've found that I should eat before exercising, after exercising and taht it doesn't matter

Luckily no one said to eat while exercising!!

For starters, double or triple that 10-min workout.

Eat a meal or something with protein (protein shakes are quick and easy) 30 minutes to an hour pre-workout. For post-workout you should consume something like a protein shake again. You don't need a full meal pre-workout, just something to give you good sustenance; that's why a protein shake works well. There's nothing wrong with a full meal afterwards though (no burgers or junk food). Make sure you get something in your system within 30 minutes post-workout.

No offense to everyone who tried to help, but most of the info in this thread was pretty random and just thrown out there (incorrectly).

Dmitri · May 4, 2010

Overread said:
I was just about to suggest that!!

Honestly if you want advice on healthy dieting and weight loss I would say head down to your local gymn. Often there might be programs or advice points there (if nothing else leaflets and such) which should be able to give you some constructive starting points and advice.
I'd also say (though it sounds like your not going to but I'll say it anyway ) try not to shock/overtax your system with sudden changes in diet and activity. Any big changes need to really be done with some constructive research so that you will not only achive your end result but also do so in a manner that won't leave you damanging your health in the process

Yeah definitely going to take it slow. The last time I tried to push myself too hard I wound up with shin splints - which suck.

Josh220 said:
For starters, double or triple that 10-min workout.

Eat a meal or something with protein (protein shakes are quick and easy) 30 minutes to an hour pre-workout. For post-workout you should consume something like a protein shake again. You don't need a full meal pre-workout, just something to give you good sustenance; that's why a protein shake works well. There's nothing wrong with a full meal afterwards though (no burgers or junk food). Make sure you get something in your system within 30 minutes post-workout.

No offense to everyone who tried to help, but most of the info in this thread was pretty random and just thrown out there (incorrectly).

:shock::shock: I'm not trying out for the olympics! I'm just trying to lose my post-smoking belly lol.

Overread · May 4, 2010

hehe still I think Josh is right - 10mins a day won't really burn that much off unless you do the intensive route (which is of course the risky accident prone one). 20-30mins is not that long but its at least giving you more time to get your muscles working and doing stuff.

Also..... take some nice long walks

Josh220 · May 4, 2010

I'm not saying you have to train for the olympics. But a 10 minute workout is pointless. 20-30 minutes is the MINIMUM at least5 days a week if you want to see any results. The meals/protein shakes are to keep your body in an anabolic state. If it's catabolic it will break down your muscles, not your fat. You want 5 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones.

There's no quick/easy way out for staying in shape.