Eat or Work Out - Which comes first?

MagicalHome · 10-11-2010, 08:23 PM

After I work out, I always feel this great appetite. I tend to eat more. Is it okay to eat first before workout?

lisabinil · 10-11-2010, 08:27 PM

It's YMMV before a workout-it depends on the person. After you workout you should have a recovery meal or shake as this is the optimal time to get protein to the muscles to help with repair and growth.

silasgreenback · 10-12-2010, 10:33 AM

Generally I work out in the morning before eating.

I'm rarely hungry until at least a couple of hours after waking, getting the exercise in seems to extend this out even further (most days).

I try not to get into the mentality of "reward" food after exercise. It's easy to say "I've done XYZ therefore I deserve a treat".

lisabinil · 10-12-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silasgreenback

Generally I work out in the morning before eating.

I'm rarely hungry until at least a couple of hours after waking, getting the exercise in seems to extend this out even further (most days).

I try not to get into the mentality of "reward" food after exercise. It's easy to say "I've done XYZ therefore I deserve a treat".

Eating for recovery after working out is not a "reward"-there is an optimum 40 min window to get protein to the muscles to aid with muscle growth if that is the goal.

MortNuke · 10-14-2010, 01:29 PM

If you are doing an intense workout, then:

Pre-workout I try not to eat at least an hour or two before a workout. I feel lighter and more energetic to Bring it.

Post workout Important to get protein and some simple carbs (Yes, I said it!) into the muscles during the one hour window after the workout that Lisabinil mentioned above. The more intense the workout, the more important this is to your gains and recovery. If you're going to work out, you should get the most out of it, right?

Mort

inatic · 10-15-2010, 03:03 AM

if im doing slow steady cardio i can go without eating.

intense cardio/intervals/hiit etc, eat about 30-hr prior.

wt we are not allowed to train without eating something. (even if very small/half a meal)

I normally have complex carb and protein prior.. and post can be complex or simple carbs and protein.

most people have more energy and effort with some food in them. Never mind this burning fat on an empty stomach.. the calories burned last way further than just that meal/training session.

TheHealthyAdvocate · 10-18-2010, 08:46 PM

I like to exercise when I'm not digesting food. Therefore, I try to eat at least 2-3 hours before I exercise, depending on what food it is. When I do yoga, I like to eat mainly protein and good fats during the day. When I do strength training or cardio, I give myself some carbs in the form of a banana (mixed with a raw egg yolk, coconut oil, fiber, cinnamon to help lower blood sugar), sweet potato or buckwheat/quinoa for the carbs needed.

silasgreenback · 10-25-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisabinil

Eating for recovery after working out is not a "reward"-there is an optimum 40 min window to get protein to the muscles to aid with muscle growth if that is the goal.

It's not. I'm more a cardio/squash/mountain biking exerciser. While I'm putting on a bit of extra muscle thanks to upping the exercise. I've no interest in the toned look beyond not having my belly stick out over my belt.

karenann33 · 10-25-2011, 05:20 PM

I eat a light breakfast before working out otherwise I don't feel so good.

IwantAtinyWaist · 10-30-2011, 02:44 PM

I eat a a half to a whole banana before I work out first thing in the morning. I need the complex carbs to keep me going for my high intensity training, then I follow the workout immediately with a protein shake and a meal when I feel hungry

Harrison · 11-03-2011, 03:10 AM

In my opinion eating after gym is good for your health because eating before the exercise will result in vomiting. I suggest you to eat after 30 min of exercise.

Janknitz · 11-04-2011, 11:49 AM

I've tried both, and I find it a little more difficult to get moving when I haven't eaten yet. I feel a little more sluggish.

I have mildly elevated fasting blood glucose, so this may have something to do with it. I need to get food on board to get my blood sugar down (totally weird, but true).

True Grave · 11-07-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicalHome

After I work out, I always feel this great appetite. I tend to eat more. Is it okay to eat first before workout?

There are enough arguments out there for both sides, to effectively negate each other.

As someone who has long since exceeded & maintained his fitness goals, in my opinion it does not matter when you eat. As long as your diet & exercise routine is solid.

Plenty of instances when i'd eat a burger, go on my long walk, get back and have some eggs after lol.

10-11-2010, 08:23 PM	#1
MagicalHome Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 364 Gallery: MagicalHome	Eat or Work Out - Which comes first? After I work out, I always feel this great appetite. I tend to eat more. Is it okay to eat first before workout?

10-15-2010, 03:03 AM	#6
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 17,805 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182+/126 5'4 50!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach:Erik Ledin leanbodies consulting Start Date: LowER C since 2/02 wt training 10/15/02	if im doing slow steady cardio i can go without eating. intense cardio/intervals/hiit etc, eat about 30-hr prior. wt we are not allowed to train without eating something. (even if very small/half a meal) I normally have complex carb and protein prior.. and post can be complex or simple carbs and protein. most people have more energy and effort with some food in them. Never mind this burning fat on an empty stomach.. the calories burned last way further than just that meal/training session. Last edited by inatic; 10-15-2010 at 03:04 AM..

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10-11-2010, 08:27 PM	#2
lisabinil Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: suburbs of Chicago Posts: 18,018 Gallery: lisabinil Stats: 287/Restart 206/177/160 5'6" WOE: Healthy Carb for Optimum Health Start Date: 2/4/10	It's YMMV before a workout-it depends on the person. After you workout you should have a recovery meal or shake as this is the optimal time to get protein to the muscles to help with repair and growth.

10-12-2010, 10:33 AM	#3
silasgreenback Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NE, UK. Posts: 770 Gallery: silasgreenback Stats: 6' 5" - 249/201/200 WOE: LC, mainly VLC. Start Date: Sept 2011	Generally I work out in the morning before eating. I'm rarely hungry until at least a couple of hours after waking, getting the exercise in seems to extend this out even further (most days). I try not to get into the mentality of "reward" food after exercise. It's easy to say "I've done XYZ therefore I deserve a treat".

10-14-2010, 01:29 PM	#5
MortNuke Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 266 Gallery: MortNuke Stats: 5"10" 213/190/190; WOE: Clean Eating / P90X Start Date: 2009	If you are doing an intense workout, then: Pre-workout I try not to eat at least an hour or two before a workout. I feel lighter and more energetic to Bring it. Post workout Important to get protein and some simple carbs (Yes, I said it!) into the muscles during the one hour window after the workout that Lisabinil mentioned above. The more intense the workout, the more important this is to your gains and recovery. If you're going to work out, you should get the most out of it, right? Mort

10-18-2010, 08:46 PM	#7
TheHealthyAdvocate Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 85 Gallery: TheHealthyAdvocate	I like to exercise when I'm not digesting food. Therefore, I try to eat at least 2-3 hours before I exercise, depending on what food it is. When I do yoga, I like to eat mainly protein and good fats during the day. When I do strength training or cardio, I give myself some carbs in the form of a banana (mixed with a raw egg yolk, coconut oil, fiber, cinnamon to help lower blood sugar), sweet potato or buckwheat/quinoa for the carbs needed.

10-25-2011, 05:20 PM	#9
karenann33 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,903 Gallery: karenann33 Stats: 150/127/120	I eat a light breakfast before working out otherwise I don't feel so good.

10-30-2011, 02:44 PM	#10
IwantAtinyWaist Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 9 Gallery: IwantAtinyWaist Stats: S186/C(unknown)/G125 Age 23 WOE: Paleo Start Date: October 2011	I eat a a half to a whole banana before I work out first thing in the morning. I need the complex carbs to keep me going for my high intensity training, then I follow the workout immediately with a protein shake and a meal when I feel hungry

11-03-2011, 03:10 AM	#11
Harrison Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 4 Gallery: Harrison	In my opinion eating after gym is good for your health because eating before the exercise will result in vomiting. I suggest you to eat after 30 min of exercise.

11-04-2011, 11:49 AM	#12
Janknitz Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,753 Gallery: Janknitz Stats: 254/195/150 WOE: Low Carb High Fat, No Grains Start Date: June 16, 2011	I've tried both, and I find it a little more difficult to get moving when I haven't eaten yet. I feel a little more sluggish. I have mildly elevated fasting blood glucose, so this may have something to do with it. I need to get food on board to get my blood sugar down (totally weird, but true).