Should I Exercise On An Empty Stomach?
You may have heard the claims that exercising on an empty stomach will help you burn more fat and more calories. The idea behind this claim is that when your body is in a hunger state, blood sugar levels are lower, and fat is more easily burned. While it is true that blood sugar levels are lower when your stomach is empty, the opposite result may happen if you decide to exercise on an empty stomach.
Your body needs fuel to work properly, burn calories, and to be able to burn fat. Several studies have shown that it takes about twenty to thirty minutes to start burning fat when working out. This means the body will be under the stress of a workout without the proper fuel it needs to sustain a workout. The result is the body becoming tired more rapidly, which leads to a shorter workout, a less efficient fat burning process, and fewer calories being burned. Muscle may also start to be burned as a supplement to protein the body is lacking.
Many professional trainers, physicians, and dieticians recommend consuming at least a small snack prior to working out. It is believed you will have more energy to help sustain a longer workout, which means more fat and calories can be properly burned. Consuming a snack will also prevent you from having low blood sugar, which causes headaches, dizziness, and nausea. You will be better focused on your activity, not concentrating on the rumbling in your stomach. Having a source of fuel in your system will also help your body be better able to recover following the workout.
That being said, it is also important not to overeat before a workout, and to give your body enough time to digest any food you do consume prior to exercising. The larger the meal, the more time you will need to wait before starting your routine. A recommended serving is a light snack of about one hundred to two hundred calories, avoiding higher fat and carbohydrate options. A serving of yogurt, a piece of fruit, a smoothie, a small bowl of oatmeal, or an energy bar are good options before a workout. You should still wait about thirty to sixty minutes before starting any exercise. These pre-workout snack choices will help get your body ready for activity and give you enough fuel to keep you moving for the best results.
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