Eating before working out or after?

[Kansas]

I was just wondering. I have always heard if you are trying to lose weight the best time to work out is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. What I was wondering is if anyone knows if there is a reason that you should eat immediately, once your 30-45 minutes is up after taking the phentermine? Will it make much difference if I work out on an empty stomach one way or the other? How do you all do it?

[silverstar]

I like to eat after i work out because you burn up the calories faster because your metabolism is still fast from the work out.
You burn more calories,and for a longer period of time after exercise.

I found this information,it might help.


Is it true that I should refrain from eating for two hours after a workout? Also, the instructors at my gym told me that I should only eat protein after a workout -- that if I eat carbohydrates or fat, I'll gain weight. Is that true?

The information about not eating after a workout is completely wrong. Every responsible source in bodybuilding and athletics recommends that you eat after training, and preferably within 45 minutes (maybe up to 60) after a workout. This period, known as the golden hour, is when the muscles absorb the most nutrients and when glycogen, an energy reserve in your muscles, is replaced most efficiently. The actual composition of the post-workout meal is a matter of some debate; for optimal glycogen replacement, most people recommend carbohydrates, but a certain amount of protein (at least 10 percent of the meal) is needed for muscle repair and growth.

[ December 17, 2001: Message edited by: silverstar ]

[dawn65]

when you wake up in the morning your muscles are holding a lot of glycogen. When you work out on an empty stomach your body is forced to use the glycogen in your muscles for fuel first and then it allows your body to use its fat stores for energy.

[silverstar]

Is that a good thing Dawn?Is it better to use the glycogen first?

[sharper]

I was told not to eat after you work out. It was explained to me that your body is still in shock from burning the calories and as soon as you eat, it will store more fat as a defense.
What I do is, I eat a granola bar or something that has protein and some carbs(only focus on carbs if your planning on working out soon for energy, so it will be good for you). I wait 30 min to an hour and work out....after that I wait an hour or an hour and a half before I eat again.
My advice may not be right for you, but I learned this in my weight training class. I'm just sharing my usual agenda.
...../Sharper

[KeliK]

you should eat before and after your workout.
about an hour before my workout i have some carbs, a bagel or pancake or cereal, not too much milk, i feel it weighs me down...
and within 90 min of working out you should eat some more carbs. there is a 90 min window that needs to be filled back up with glycogen. i read that junk food carbs are the best. notice that after my 5k's there are bagels, fruit juices and stuff like that.
BTW i am doing a 5k tomorrow, a jingle bell run in DALLAS, wish me luck!

[picomuffet]

personally, i don't eat before i work out, but i get to the gym around 6:00ish and my body just doesn't want to eat that early. if you do eat relatively shortly after your workout, it needs to be protein. when you workout (esp w/ weights) your muscles are breaking down and immediate protein rebuilds the muscle, whereas carbs will just sit in you and turn into fat. at least that's what i read when training for a marathon from the "experts". good luck!