When I exercise, should I eat before exercising or after exercising?

Question

I would like to eat before I exercise so I can burn calories and lose weight won't have to worry about gaining weight. I heard it's best to eat fruits and veggies before a workout and after a workout, is that true?

Answer 1

If you're trying to lose weight you should absolutely never eat before your work out.By consuming any calories before you exercise you increase your blood sugar.This will be your bodies first choice for energy and by increasing blood glucose you'll cause insulin to be secreted.The insulin will then mitigate your growth hormone secretion(the hormone touted for converting fat to muscle).By depleting your glycogen stores(stored carbohydrate)your body will be more likely to use body fat for fuel.This has been proven in clinical studies.You want to target the calories stored in your body and decrease the amount of calories(particularly in the form of carbs) you consume.Burn more calories than you consume and you will definitely lose weight.Consuming your carbohydrates after a work out will cause you to store more of the carbs as glycogen then as fat.Also proven in clinical studies.Eating carbs before hand is detrimental.There is plenty of glycogen in your muscles already.You want to burn fat right.So omit the pre work out meal.Nothing for at least 2.5 hours

Answer 2

It depends on what you are eating and what type of exercise. If you want to exercise first thing in the am, but you normally eat at that time, a small (100 calories or less, no added sugar or sweeteners) carbohydrate oriented snack coupled with a healthy fat is a better option (ex 1/2 medium banana and 5 almonds) to generate energy for your workout. Most references recommend a healthy protein meal post exercise for muscle repair. A 1/2 of a hummus sandwich with alfalfa sprouts and mashed avocado is a great example of a post workout meal (then eat the other half of the sandwich later). This is also recommended post muscle toning. Some exercises/activities such as swimming and yoga (especially Bikram) do not recommend eating for at least 3-4 hours before. If you are not hungry, but it is around your usual eating time, I wouldn't do any high intensity exercises/workouts, maybe just walking or basic cycling. As always, I am going to recommend hydration, as this is usually what the body wants before and after exercise. I always recommend sipping at least 4-8 oz water per half hour of exercise to my clients. There are many equations out there, however, the 4-8oz per 1/2 hr usually stays in their heads the best.

Answer 3

What type of exercises needs to be asked.

Weight Training: You better eat first, at least 2 hours before

Cardio: A protein drink 1 hour before, you will burn all the calories and carbs from what you consumed the day before.

Fruits & Vegetables....that comes with your main meal of the day and snacks.

Answer 4

Personally, I think that eating a mixture of high carb and veggies is a good thing to do. I run three miles a day, seven days a week, and I know that before I begin my run, I've got to have some carbs to burn off. I suggest eating about a half hour before you begin your workout, that way your body will have digested most of it. While you excercise it will give you the energy you need. I'm never hungry right after I get done working out.

Answer 5

Hi
Yes but you need to make sure that its well before your excercise time also try this simple plan here goes,
If you are serious about losing weight, the calories in the food you eat should be less than the energy you use. You will have to increase your metabolic rate now, and plan your diet carefully.
Formulate your own weight loss plan and you will lose weight faster. More details available at http://tinyurl.com/m7ckx

good luck

Answer 6

I personally have found that when trying to lose weight....If I exercise before eating, it speeds up my metabolism and burns the fat and calories that I consume eating. I get a little sluggish physcially shortly after eating..and I get a bit lazy. Also...if I eat first...then exercise...I am conciously trying to burn off what I have just eat...and therefore may overdo it exercising....If I exercise first...I just eat healthy afterwards and know that what I just ate is going to get burned off.

Answer 7

Best to eat after exercising

Answer 8

it's best not to eat before exercising. Don't worry about burning calories. You will continue to burn calories even after exercising.

Answer 9

Eat after this way you won't feel full and not want to work out eat like fruit before that you have the energy to work out

Answer 10

You should eat before you exercise, but not right before. Eat something that gives you some energy.