not sure what do do?

[das79]

If I go the the gym in the morning before work (5:00), and do my cardio first, should I have a shake right after that, and then start my workout? Or does that even matter. I like to do cardio in the morning on an empty stomach, but I dont like the idea of working out on empty. Basically Ive been cutting for a month, and it seems like all Ive lost is my muscle. So I dont know what the fuck Im doing. This is the first time Ive had the pleasure of cutting. My diet is clean, so I guess Im looking for a routine of cardio/workout. and I need help planning my diet around my cardio/workout sessions, if that makes sense. Any suggestions.

 

[Joe Stenson]

You're working out on an empty stomach and wondering why you're losing muscle?

Is it at all possible to separate your cardio and workout sessions? Either morning/night, or just separate days altogether. Morning cardio on an empty stomach is good, but working out on an empty stomach is horrible...not to mention doing cardio before working out isn't that smart either.

 

[Tadow]

I agree with Joe - the best situation would be to get 8 hours between your cardio session and your lifting session.

How much protein are you eating daily? You really need to be getting at LEAST 1 gram per pound of lean body mass per day.

 

[Neo22]

Do one of two things

Cardio in morning
weights in evening

weights in morning
cardio in evening

weights
shake
then cardio

IT does not matter when you do cardio or whether its on an empty stomach or not.
Calories in<Calories out = weight loss

 

[pintoca]

Do one of two things

Cardio in morning
weights in evening

weights in morning
cardio in evening

weights
shake
then cardio

IT does not matter when you do cardio or whether its on an empty stomach or not.
Calories in<Calories out = weight loss

no no no

I agree with the 2 first, but the weight, shake, cardio effectiviely renders the cardio useless... what are you going to lose with a stomach full of carbs?

the third should read:

Weights (max 45 min)
Cardio (max 45 min)
Shake

I've been doing this for 10 months, muscle loss... just make sure you jum straight from weights to cardio and then straight to shake... don't diddle with small talk and shower... you are on a tight schedule there

 

[Joe Stenson]

no no no

I agree with the 2 first, but the weight, shake, cardio effectiviely renders the cardio useless... what are you going to lose with a stomach full of carbs?

Ummmm, you burn calories, which is the whole point of cardio...

Yeah, you have a better chance of burning calories from fat stores by doing it on an empty stomach (a better chance of burning muscle too though), but as always it comes down to cals in vs. cals out.

 

[das79]

Pintoca, what do you eat before you workout? I usually workout early in the morning, so I find myself rushing out of the house having eaten nothing. I just make a quick shake and go. Is that ok?

 

[das79]

Why isnt it a good idea to do cardio before my workout?

 

[Tadow]

Why isnt it a good idea to do cardio before my workout?

I can think of a few reasons:

1) You need to add lean muscle mass, or while cutting keep as much lean muscle mass as you can. More lean mass = higher BMR. If you are working hard on your cardio, you won't have enough energy to put into your lifting immediately after.

2) Cortisol. This catabolic hormone starts to build up in your system in response to stress. I believe that in most people this starts after an hour or so. If you are doing cardio for 45 minutes, followed by weights for 45 minutes, you are going to have elevated cortisol levels - you don't want this.

3) Going to the gym more than once a day is sexy.