Eating and Exercise

D

dschwab

Member
:) Just a quick question for Cathe or anyone who wants to respond. I was curious about eating and working out.

1. Should you workout on an empty stomach?
2. What kind of meal should you eat post workout?
3.Should you go to bed on an empty stomach, meaning 3 hours after you've eaten last?

I would really appreciate a response. I have heard different things on the subject and just wanted to know what everyone else did.

Thanks!:D
Denise
 
First, I think different things work better for different people. Bodies are very unique. Also, our own bodies change and we have to adapt our eating to the changes. Now that that disclaimer is out of the way what works for me right now is:

1. I eat 3 egg whites on whole wheat toast about 40 mins before my morning workout on the days I swim otherwise I run out of steam. However on the days I kickbox in the early morning I do not eat before. I would if I could but I do that at home and there's not enough time between when I get up and when I workout to eat something. Before my afternoon workout I have a very small snack about 1 hour ahead of time of usually fruit and peanuts (just 10).

2. I eat a simple carb (1/2 banana for example) and a protein/fat (peanuts, natural peanut butter, low fat turkey slices, low fat cheese). If I don't do this I end up tired later, out of energy.

3. I was not doing this until just this past week. Someone on the WW fitness board recommended it to me and I tried it and lost 2.5 lbs. this week (normally I lose .5-1.5), so it definitely seemed to work for me. This is the only thing I changed this week so while it might be coincidence, unlikely. Also, even though I go to bed hungry, I wake up energized and seem to sleep better.
 
Denise,

As far as my body goes:

1. Should you workout on an empty stomach? I workout on an empty stomach - I get sick if I eat, this works well for me.

2. What kind of meal should you eat post workout? I workout in the mornings and follow it with a very good breakfast - for example: 8 egg whites scrambled, 1 oz canadian bacon, half grapefruit and 1 cup grapes.

3.Should you go to bed on an empty stomach, meaning 3 hours after you've eaten last? I also go to bed on an empty stomach but I eat a really healthy supper.

I eat 5 times a day, anywhere from 1400 to 2100 calories but I eat really healthy foods, I follow a 40/30/30 percentage on my meals.

I hope this helps, a LOT of people I know have something about 30 minutes before they workout, I have not found this beneficial to me, I get extremely nauseaus (sp?) and my energy seems to bog down.
 
Denise, you'll get different answers to your questions as bodies, fitness goals, diets/eating habits, and workout style preferences are different.

For me, I can do cardio on an empty stomach. Strength training or circuit training or anything that involves weights, never. I have to eat a healthy meal an hour before, at least.

Post workout, I usually have some soy milk with protein powder in it or oatmeal with protein powder, wheat germ and sliced almonds. Sometimes I have a power bar and soy milk. Or a salad with tuna chunks.

I always try to go to bed on a stomach that's half-full or half-empty, however you look at it.:D Too full, and it's hard to sleep. Too empty, and I wake up hungry in the wee morning hours.

Pinky
 
Yet another opinion

I can eat or not eat before a workout, and it doesn't matter, so I just work out, unless I'm starving, then I have a banana or a yogurt or a piece of toast. I work out in the evenings so after exercise, I eat dinner. On total body weight days, I eat some soy milk with protein powder right after the workout, and then cook dinner.

I go to bed on an empty stomach also, unless I'm so ravenous I can't sleep, in which case I have a rice cake.
 
RE: Yet another opinion

If I work out straight away, I do it on an empty stomach; otherwise, I opt for yogurt and/or cereal before. I am usually ravenous afterward and I eat a little extra protein in my post workout meal. I eat 60% carbs, 20 protein and 20 fat. I find all my eating is pretty much geared toward optimum workouts. I eat more carbs with cardio and more protein with strength and both if I do cardio and strength together.
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
 
I've tried working out on an empty stomach, and it just doesn't happen for me. I eat an hour beforehand, more carbs than protein, but some of each.

Post-workout I eat protein and a simple carb - like peanut butter and a banana.

I can't sleep with food in my stomach, so I stop eating at least three hours before I go to bed. I also find drinking lots of water throughout the day helps with the late-night munchies.

Hope this helps!

Carol
:)
 
I work out at 4:45 A.M., so I normally workout on an empty stomach. Afterwards, I get ready for work and get up my kids which means I breakfast about 1 hour after my workout. I eat whole wheat toast, fruit, peanut butter, or something similar to that most mornings. I don't get fatigued, but I do drink plenty of water. It works for me.
 
:) Thank you so much ladies for your replies. They were ALL helpful.
Right now, I have been doing my cardio in the AM on an empty stomach and I do my strength later in the day usually waiting 2 hrs. after eating. I also go to bed on an empty stomach(3 hrs. after eating). I just wanted to make sure what I was doing was right and see if it was ok to do strength only 1 hour after eating sometimes. I see there are a variety of things people do and it should be what works for each person. KATHY-I also follow a 40/30/30 combination with my foods. I love the way it makes me feel. It works great for me. I do usually go alittle higher on the protein sometimes and I eat between 1600-2000 cals. a day. I go onto fitday.com and track all my food intake and it lets me know how much protein, fat, carbs. and calories are in my food.:D
Thank you again!
Denise}(
 
Hey, thanks Denise for the tip about fitday.com. Its exactly what I need!! I always wanted to make sure I was getting enough calories for the exercise I was doing. What a great site!
 
These seem to be according to personal tastes. I have read that you should eat something before working out and that working out on an empty stomach offers no real advantage. BFL is based on this protocol but I have seen it rebuffed in articles. I eat a few yogurts before working out.
Post workout I have seen it recommended to eat a protein bar, which I do.
I have also read that you shouldn't eat after about 7 pm in the evening so as to avoid sleeping on a heavy meal.
If you do nothing else, the last tip I would definitely follow...
Just my opinion.
T.
:)
 
Missklp27- Your welcome. Isn't it a great site? I love it and go on it everyday! It really makes you aware of everything that goes into your mouth.

Trevor-Thanks for the opinion. I definately follow the no eating after 7pm rule. I heard you should eat a 4:1 snack, meaning 4 parts carbs to 1 part protein after a workout. Maybe a protein bar does this? I do a protein shake with 1/2 scoop whey protein powder and 1 C. Fresh Strawberries, 1/2 a Banana and sometimes 1 T. chopped almonds. I add water and ice and blend ina blender. It makes a great shake!:)
 
I think....

my post workout protein bar has about 35 grams of protein and probably an average amount of carbs. I don't remember. Sometimes I eat a banana too because I have occasional cramping in my right calf.
T. :)
 
Denise, I love the way it makes me feel too, and I track my food at fitday, I bought the program for my computer and it is MUCH faster - I love it and I track my activity too. I tried to up my carbs and lowered my protein and fat and I was hungry all the time so I went right back to it. I also eat 5 times a day and I just feel good!
 
Denise,
I am new to fitday and couting cals. I am trying to lose weight (about 20 lbs.) and am eating 1300-1400 cals per day, 5-6 meals a day, and working out 6 hours a week. I am trying to find a either a 40/40/20 or 40/30/30 balance. But I find I am driving myself crazy with this, could you shed some light/advise? Do you eat the same thing everyday? I can do that, I'm a creature of habit, but my husband wants a vareity in his suppers. Could you share with me a typical day or two of what you eat?
Thanks so much! (also in your opinion am I eating enough calorie? I want to be healty, and have heard eating too little can cause you not to lose weight. You juse seem like you know a lot about this stuff, and I'm so new!
 
RE: I think....

It's interesting to read the different things people do.

1. I've worked out very early (4 am) on empty stomach for years but have just started drinking 4 oz of that new V8 Fusion drink because I was running out of gas. Can't tell yet if it's helping enough.
2. Post-workout meal is just breakfast for me. Usually a complex carb, milk, and coffee.
3. I always go to bed on an empty stomach. I hate the feeling of a brick in there!
 
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