Is it better it eat prior to working out?

Question

If I want to work out after work, do I eat dinner first then wait and work out or do I work out first and want then have dinner?

Answer 1

The logic lies in what your goals are.If weight loss is your goal then work out on an empty stomach.To say you'll burn the calories that you've just ingested is complete nonsense.The food must be digested in order to be used and the only energy that you MIGHT get comes from elevated blood glucose which will cause insulin secretion and mitigate growth hormone secretion(very inportant benefit from exercise even if you're not trying to get big).Also if you work soley off of your glycogen stores you'll burn much more fat(gluconeogenisis).This is less likely to happen with elevated blood glucose.Conversely to losing weight if gaining muscle is your goal then a low or no carb protein is best to prevent catabolism.Working out on an empty stomach or a fasted state will also increase growth factors(another important physiological benefit for losing weight as well).All of this has been proven in countless clinical trials.I can't offer links for you because I've read all of this in books.And digestion does not divert blood flow from your muscles to your stomach.That's a myth left over from the 80'sI hope mine and the other answers have been helpful.Also clinical research has shown you're more likely to shunt good nutrients away from fat cells and recover better when you eat(or consume calories) within a half hour after your work outs

Answer 2

Hi there!

The rule of thumb is that you don't eat, 90 minutes before you exercise. Personally, I don't eat two hours before. You want the blood flow to be in your muscles, not in your stomach.

Moreover, if you have a full stomach you can likely have more bathroom breaks, which interupt the workout and more digestive problems due to the bouncing around.

Additionally, since most people are working out to lose weight, I would say avoid the food before. This will help you create more of a calorie deficit after you burn fat during your workout. This leads to fat loss. Thus, here is exactly what you should do if you want to lose weight / tone up.

Keep your total calories per day to 1500 or below. Try to spread these calories out to five meal of about 300 calories each. Do not eat 90 minutes before your workout. If you are starving, have something small or a sports/energy drink during the workout. Again, keep it small. Drink water to fill you up.

Lastly, try to find someone knowledgeable to encourage and motivate you on your diet / workout journey.

If you do these simple steps, you should see progress within the week.

I believe this answers your question, but if not, you may email me.

Good luck on your diet and fitness goals!

Trainer Gregg
[e-mail]
"You can achieve anything you set your mind on."

Answer 3

I like to work out at the end of the day, personally, a couple hours after I eat. I notice if I don't, I'm famished after my workout and end up eating a huge meal. If I eat then work out after my stomach has settled, I'm much less likely to eat a ton when i'm done working out. Instead, I have water or a piece of fruit or some oatmeal.

Answer 4

If you eat before working out, remember to let it rest for about half an hour at least. This for the same reason that it's not a good idea to jump in the pool right after eating.

This might be just me, but I find I can't eat and then go out on a hike without getting a severe stitch in my side. Talk about painful! But if I eat lightly and don't drink milk first, then I can.

Good luck!

Answer 5

There's no good answer to that because they say to eat about 1 hour prior to exercising but not to exercise with less that 4 hours before bedtime (sleep disturbance). Ideally, get up early, eat at least a little something, wait about an hour, exercise, shower, get ready for work and go to work. Good luck!

Answer 6

Best to wait about 2 hours after eating to workout. Can eat anytime you feel like it afterward.

Answer 7

It's best to eat a small, snack size amount of carbs 1/2 hour to 1 hour before a workout, and then to eat a good protien rich meal after a workout.

Answer 8

If you eat first, you need to wait, kind of like the old swimming rule. You might get bad cramps or throw up.

Answer 9

I personally think that it is better to eat before working out. To me if you work out then eat, I feel I just wasted my time, putting all the calories back in me that I just burned off.

Answer 10

It can be better to help burn off calories... but it isn't necessary. It's really is all up to you and how you feel about it. I work out early in the mornings and tried eating before going to the gym but it wasn't for me. I prefer and feel better exercising on an empty stomach... but that's just me.