When is it better to exercise? :)

I just have a simple question guys;

Is it better to exercise BEFORE breakfast or AFTER?

I've heard conflicting stories.

So i just want a little bit of confirmation!

xx ♥

It depends on you.  Do whichever one you feel gives you the best workout.

I could never work out before breakfast.  I've tried, but I end up exhausted and only do about half as much "work" as I can if I work out later in the day.  Other people work out in the morning and feel energized for the rest of the day. 

Find out which one works for you.  The best work out is the one you give 100% and feel great about and enjoy!

I have heard ---- that you should not lift heavy weights in the morning though.  So if you're planning on weight lifting you should probably do it later in the day. 

Thanks,

So there's no rule as in; If you work out before you eat, you'll burn more calories because your metabolism is up?

Hah. there is no way i can do weights. I don't want muscles, dancing has given me enough!

xx

Well there is a train of thought that goes something along the lines if you exercise on empty stomach your body is tricked in to burning fat or something like that. I haven't seen any research that back it up, seems more like a fad thing to me. I am with karozel on this, do whatever works for you.

You're not supposed to work out on an empty stomach. I've seen research that says you'll work less hard and therefore burn fewer calories.

However, if i'm running the same distance, in the same amount of time, hence the same spee, i should burn remotely the same amount of calories right?

xx

Original Post by love_live_dance:

However, if i'm running the same distance, in the same amount of time, hence the same spee, i should burn remotely the same amount of calories right?

xx

 Yes. But you may find it harder to do so on an empty stomach.

When I run in the morning, I do it before I eat breakfast.  For me, I don't like to eat or drink a bunch before I run.  It messes up my stomach.

I have also read that eating in the morning before running is better for you.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-301--6761-0,00.ht ml

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380-381-386-250-0,00. html

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-301--12904-0,00.h tml

This article is very informative, covers the pluses and minuses of cardio on an empty stomach: The Fasted Cardio Roundtable.

Do what is best for you. I always exercise before eating, otherwise I feel nauseous. I tried doing it after breakfast on several occasions, but for some reason I feel less energized and less in the mood for exercise...

I would like to add a question, along these lines but at the other end of the day, I read somewhere that you should not exercise late in the day as your body is 'pumped up' and you will find it hard to sleep.

Anyone got any views or evidence?

Thanks

Like someone said, it depends on you.  There is conflicting research on this as there is on a  number of nutritional and fitness issues.  When I was in college I ran in the morning before breakfast.  None of my friends ate breakfast so I just got used to it.  Today I would have a real hard time doing that.  I think it is best to have at least a bite of something.  I subscribe to the belief that eating a little something makes my stomach stable and gets my metabolism started in the morning.

Wowwwwwwwww.

in response to the query about not exercising later in the day.

I ran before breakfast for half an hour.

and i was fine.

I ran after dinner for half an hour.

And now its 1:33AM in the morning, i'm awake enough to be doing maths study (Because my exam is in just over 24 hours so i really shouldn't be awake now)

But i'm wired as.

This is horrible!

So i supose its not scientific evidence, but i'm certainly wide awake!

Original Post by wobbly:

I would like to add a question, along these lines but at the other end of the day, I read somewhere that you should not exercise late in the day as your body is 'pumped up' and you will find it hard to sleep.

Anyone got any views or evidence?

Thanks

Some people have trouble sleeping soon after a workout, some people don't.  The only way to figure out what your reaction will be is to try it for yourself. 

I agree with trying to find what works best for you.

What works for me is eating something, like a granola bar (usually something protein or fiber based, like south beach or kashi), work out (my workouts last 2 hours... ugh!) and then eat breakfast.  Yes, needless to say, I am usually around 500 calories to 600 or more after my real breakfast. But hey, it works for me.

its all personal preference. for me, i run really early in the morning, before i eat  breakfast, to get a workout in before work. on the weekends, i try running before i eat as well, just because i tend to become lazy all day if i eat before i run (i need time to digest, then end up lounging around). but its all up to you!

Agreed.  Go with what works for you.  Given my schedule and general night-owl-ness,  I almost never work out before 8pm - and it's often as late as 10pm.  I have no more trouble getting to sleep on work-out days than on non-work-out days.  In fact, last night, I started NROLFW and probably fell asleep the fastest I ever have; it must have worn me right out!  :-)

the key is to excercise each day at same time (whether morning or evening). after exercising for awhile, your body will tune to that time as "peak" energy, expecting the workout. I spent 27 years in the Army, always excercising in the morning and feel most energetic in the morning (even if I do not workout that day).

Rough River

I heard from my bf's mother that exercising on a full stomach was bad for your heart - but I don't exactly trust her as a reliable source - so I went researching to see if she was "full of it". I think she just got her stats mixed up:

If you're prone to heartburn - don't exercise after a big meal!http://www.heartburnalliance.org/exercise_tip s.php

Came across this in my quick google search too. Depending on the intensity of your workouts you might need to adjust your timing. Here's an article on eating related to endurance athletes:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportsnutr ition/a/EatForExercise.htm