Exercise - Before or After Eating?

MidGaGuy · #1 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 10:28 AM

I pretty much exercise in the evenings. I'm just not a morning person and I doubt I ever will be . I sleep as long as I possibly can before I have to get to work.
That being said. Here's my question:
Is it better to exercise before you eat a meal ? Or after you eat a meal ?
or does it really not make any difference.

Nasseny · #2 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 11:07 AM

I don't think it makes a difference.

Exercise = raise matabolism > Eat = raise matabolism => Burn Calories

Eat = raise matabolism > Exercise = raise matabolism => Burn Calories

? maybe I am wrong

James · #3 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 11:25 AM

found a couple of articles on the topic, so I wasn't just giving my own opinion.

Should You Eat Before or After Exercise? - MSN Health & Fitness - Diet & Fitness

That was the most informative read that I found.

Personally, I always eat something like granola or a PBJ before a workout, just because I HATE feeling hypoglycemic, but I save anything heavy for after workouts, simply because I know my body, and I am not a fan of carrying around extra food in my stomach when I'm working out hard enough where I'll throw up.

Tomble · #4 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 05:39 PM

I don't like exercising with food in my stomach, but that's a personal preference. I'll even go for an all day walk without eating, but once I get home, watch out!

Mind you, I find that an evening walk helps my digestion and I go to bed not feeling full.

MsGhettoBooty · #5 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 05:58 PM

I usually head out the door ~ 5:45am to get in 60 mins of brisk walking. I'm usually not hungry before I go, but if I do wake up with my tummy rumbling, I usually take a fruit with me. An hour at the most after, I eat a breakfast of good carbs, fiber, and protein. Ummm... before weight training, I grab something with peanut butter on it (bagel, whole wheat english muffin, apple, or whatever suits my mood) or even cottage cheese with fruit. After weight training, I usually drink my protein shake directly after. I then give myself an hour or so to get home and actually get a full meal in. Personally speaking, I like to time my meals before and after workouts, so I don't feel famished. Okay... hope that helps and I hope you get the answers you're looking for, Paul.

-Sheryl

Trevor M. · #6 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Don’t enter a workout hungry. If you start exercising in an energy deficit, your body is likely to preserve fat and perform poorly. If you tend to bonk out midway through a hard session, low energy may be the culprit. Quick absorbing carbs with a high glycemic index will give you fast fuel. So before a tough workout, have a sports drink, juice, fruit, bread or pasta to take in some calories.

I guess this writer has never heard of rebound hypoglycemia? High GI carbs within an hour of any workout should NOT be ingested.

If you want to get technical. The Thermic affect of food does in fact increase with moderate exercise following a meal. Although, in the end of the day. It all comes down to calories in calories out.
Just keep track of your calorie intake and don't put much though into this matter. Do whats best for you and your time availability.

MidGaGuy · #7 (**permalink**) October 3rd, 2007, 12:58 PM

Thanks for all the input everybody!

MelBalance · #8 (**permalink**) October 3rd, 2007, 11:34 PM

Hi,
im my mind you can eat a little before exercise, if it's light, maybe some vegetables or salad.

Huge meals including burgers, bread with dairy products, animal protein (acid forming and slowing you down) eat after exercise, if you can not resist.

Take care,
Mel

bikinibound · #9 (**permalink**) October 4th, 2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidGaGuy

I pretty much exercise in the evenings. I'm just not a morning person and I doubt I ever will be . I sleep as long as I possibly can before I have to get to work. That makes two of us!

That being said. Here's my question:
Is it better to exercise before you eat a meal ? Or after you eat a meal ?
or does it really not make any difference.

If I've just eaten a heavy meal, I wait at least an hour before working out--usually. I find that I get winded faster if I don't wait. But I also don't work out on a completely empty stomach much, either. I usually work out in the afternoon or early evening.

I thought that article was fairly interesting.

TemetNosce · #10 (**permalink**) October 15th, 2007, 08:46 AM

I usually work out between lunch and before dinner, because that's when I get off of work. I'll eat lunch around 12pm, have a snack around 1:30, and I'll be at the gym around 5pm. Then, I'll be eating dinner at 7pm.

I can't workout directly after a meal, or even a snack unless it's very small, light a few slices of meat (roast beef) or something that I can't feel in my stomach. Otherwise, hello puke ville.

missmarie · #11 (**permalink**) October 16th, 2007, 01:07 PM

I'm also not a morning person. I have tried to get up and work out before going to class or work but it just doesn't work and I get uninspired and just want to go back to bed!! I'm trying to get in the habit of working out before supper instead with a light snack in the afternoon.