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2003/05/05, 12:42 AM
Hi,
I just did some searches and found differening opinions on eating before cardio excercises in the morning so thought I'd ask about my case specifically. I usually get up at about 8, eat right away (oatmeal and fruit usually with some milk) then do cardio an hour later for about 45 mins. I do this every other day and do weight training on the other days.
My profile is pretty updated, but just to let you know my stats...I've been working out for a little over a month, I weighed 108 at 5 feet 3 inches when I started with little muscle and a lot of fat. My goal was not to lose weight but to simply get rid of some of the soft squishy stuff. I've ended up losing weight however...still no muscles showing through the fat tissue on my body
Anyways...I read how beneficial it can be to not eat before cardio, but wouldn't this cause dizziness? I've been known to easily get dizzy and pass out. However, if eating beforehand is defeating the purpose then I will not continue.
Thanks ahead of time
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2003/05/05, 08:19 AM
I don't have specific advice for you since I'm no expert, but I'm curious on this myself.
I do the cardio before eating anything. For instance, this morning, as soon as I got up, I got dressed and did cardio. Then I had my oatmeal, egg whites, grapefruit, and water/vitamins. I find if I don't exercise first, I end up not eating until around 9:20am or 10am because I can't put food in my stomach without feeling sick. But if I exercise, I can eat immediately, which puts my breakfast around 7am.
I'm wondering if whether you should eat first or not depends on where you currently are and what your goal is. I have no idea.
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~Jennifer
http://www.gwindalyn.com
If you dont stand for something, you will fall for anything.
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2003/05/05, 09:33 AM
It all depends on your goals really. If fat loss is your main concern, then empty stomach will work. BUT, if you want to preserve muscle and still do your cardio, then eating a small meal before will work (something liquid) You see, if you perform your cardio with enough intensity, for example HIIT, you are not burning a ton of fat during that 15-20 minute session, BUT, your metabolism will be running hot for the rest of the day, and some studies have said that this effect may even last for up to 48 hrs after an intense cardio session. You see, when you are looking to lose weight, it is calories in vs. calories out. I am not a big beleiver in the empty stomach idea, I have searched and searched and have only found one legitimate study done in sweden done on very overweight individuals that showed this was somewhat effective. Why then is everyone doing this? Because like most things in health in fitness, it is passed down by word of mouth and somehow becomes law. It's unfortunate, but that's what happens.
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2003/05/05, 09:54 AM
This gets to be a touchy issue if your bodyfat stores are already low, like preparing for a contest. If you have a fair amount of fat stored, it is no problem for your body to give some up. If you do do cardio on an empty stomach, and your bodyfat stores are low, then it is a good practice to "protect" your muscle tissue. Your body will go for it for needed amino acids as well as any other fuel it needs in the absence of glucose. I like the regimine of BCAA's. These are branched chain amino acids, and they are 3 aminos your body cannot get anywhere but from an outside source. When your body needs these aminos for anything, where does it go to get them?? Muscle. If you supply your body a large dose of them before training, it sees this large dose in the bloodstream, and thinks oh oh, already breaking down muscle tissue, better revert to fatty acid stores. Kind of "tricks" your body into using fats for fuel when it doesn't want to. Immediate supplementation with a protein drink rich in BCAA's is also key. I have used this regimine with almost all my latest competitions with great results. I would not normally recommend any kind of workout on a completely empty stomach though.
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As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it.
Ron
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2003/05/05, 11:59 AM
Ok. I'm not sure I understood all of that. Tara and I obviously have very different current situations and goals, and I'm sure the answers are different based on individual situation.
For instance, I consider myself significantly overweight (need to lose 60-70lbs to be healthy) and the majority of it is fat. My goal is to lose this fat. Am I ok to do 30 minutes of moderate cardio first thing in the morning before eating? Is this just defeating the purpose? Or should I eat then do the cardio? Does it make a difference if eating before makes me sick to my stomach? How long after eating do I wait before doing the cardio? Should I then eat again right after the cardio?
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~Jennifer
http://www.gwindalyn.com
If you dont stand for something, you will fall for anything.
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2003/05/05, 12:31 PM
Thanks for the replies. I understand the biology that surrounds this issue, I just don't know where I fit in. I am trying to lose weight, but I have no idea what my body fat precentage is.
I tried going this morning without eating first and I couldn't do nearly as much! I thought that I was going to die on the eliptical after 10 minutes when I usually go for about 20 minutes.
I guess I'll just do what works for me. Not eating is not worth the yucky feeling I got, while EATING is probably not worth feeling sick for gwindalyn.
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2003/05/05, 12:44 PM
tarab21, in your case I would suggest maybe a small liquid meal. See, if you eat a larger carb meal, the body had plenty of fresh glucose to "feed" off while doing it, though if you do HIIt type it will create a greater calorie burn throughout the day. I think with this small liquid meal it will give you some needed energy, while still not supplying your body carbs for fuel to use, forcing it at that time to to use fatty acid stores. True, you will create a calorie deficit over time if you do alot of cardio and resistance training and reduce your calories, but you may as well take advantage of the time spent doing it too.
As for gwindalyn, my thoughts would be to keep doing what you are doing, if it is working for you. You sound like you have plenty of "stores", so your body will freely give it up for fuel. And this sounds advantageous to you because you do need to re-fuel after training, and this is the only way you can do this. Nourishing your body is best.
I think that basic rules apply, but then each person is different, and just as one workout does not fit all, so is this. Learn your body, and do what works for you. Hope this does help some.
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As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it.
Ron
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2003/05/05, 04:13 PM
I am 5'3".. and although I am not an expert I know that 108 lbs is close to unhealthy weight. I used to play basketball and I was also a track runner and I was 110 then, and i wanted to gain some weight because I was getting dizzy. I recommend fueling yourself during the day. don't eat junk, but get 110g of protein, complex carbs, lots of fruits and veggies. in the meantime if you do exercise your body will come to an optimal weight. but i am thinking you are losing some muscle while working out if you are at 108 and not fueling yourself properly. (if you are eating junkfood because you are thin, that is not very helpful to build muscle)
bb1fit, from this forum, has been really helpful with my diet. I would follow his suggestions...
gokce
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2003/05/05, 07:23 PM
bb1fit...thanks for taking the time to reply. It is appreciated.
gbgaser... I don't consider myself unhealthy except that I have an uneven distribution of fat and muscle. (too much fat, not enough muscle) I think people hear my weight and automatically think I must be some sort of emaciated little twig, but to be honest, i have jiggly spots and cellulite like everyone else. I have absolutely teeny bones which may contribute to the low weight. Also, fat apparently weighs a lot less than muscle. I do eat a healthy diet and stay away from junk food completely. I suppose it is possible that I'm losing muscle, but I'm doing what this site has told me to do as far as diet and excercise goes so that seems unlikely.
Thanks for the input
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2003/05/05, 08:26 PM
Hope I could help. I also don't like the sound of your weight, but you know your body better than I. I suggest the liquid meal at least before your cardio, a good protein shake or even 1/2 MRP just to fuel you a bit and keep you able to do this. Some nutrient dense calories to aid you. YOu can adjust this as needed. The protein will help preserve muscle. Keep the resistance training up, injest enough protein for your needs, and eat some good solid carbs. You have a good start with the oatmeal, feed the muscle so to speak, starve the fat.
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As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it.
Ron
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