To eat or not to eat....

[teshtronic]

I've heard both ways that you should and shouldnt eat something before working out. I've heard if you're on an empty stomach when doing cardio, your body taps into fat for the energy, but I've also heard you need some carbs in ya to have enough energy to pull off an effective workout. what's the correct answer? is there one?

 

[redrockhonky]

You almost answered your own question. I always do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Before you workout, slam a protein shake, if you're bulking maybe a shake with carbs. REDROCK

 

[ZGzaZ]

so what if you cant do cardio in the morning? should you not eat for a while before doing your cardio?? an hour, hour and a half??? to create the empty stomach, even though it wouldnt be as empty as overnight..

 

[redrockhonky]

so what if you cant do cardio in the morning? should you not eat for a while before doing your cardio?? an hour, hour and a half??? to create the empty stomach, even though it wouldnt be as empty as overnight..

First thing in the morning cardio is optimal, but if you can't, doing it right before you go to bed is good. If you eat @ 6 or so, do cardio at 9 or later. It will help fat during the night. REDROCK

 

[seungmena]

The best time for cardio is when your glycogen stores are depleted
One time is first thing in the morning (getting up at 5:45 to do cardio sucks but sometimes you have to)
Another is after your weights session.

Food wise - try and time your weight session so that it is after a normal meal time rather than having a special pre workout meal if you are trying to cut.
I train at 9am, and have my second meal - a whey shake just after my warm up, andthen and hour and a half later I get my post workout shake, then an hour after that its normal meal time - i think I am hitting all the right nutritional windows that way.

 

[Babyfaced Assassin]

what are your goals?

If fat loss is ur goal then doing cardio etc on an empty stomach might be more beneficial. However studies were conducted to show it doesnt make too much of a difference. If performance is an issue, then ingesting some carbs prior to training will help u. This in turn could make u workout longer and harder meaning u can burn more calories

 

[teshtronic]

I guess my main goal is fatloss at this point. but i definately want to start getting bigger. at this point, i've got a soccer build.

 

[beefybull]

I guess my main goal is fatloss at this point. but i definately want to start getting bigger. at this point, i've got a soccer build.

How tall are you, how much do you weigh. Note: if you say anything under 180 and anything above 5'7", its time for you to EAT EAT EAT son.

 

[teshtronic]

eh oh. i'm 5'10" @ 180 lbs.

 

[ZGzaZ]

how much cardio is too much cardio??? I do HIIT, recently I started taking some ephed free xenadrine 45 mins before ... and i can seem to go forever without getting tired, but ive quiting in around 20-30 mins due to the fact i want to maintain muscle...am i doing this right? or should i go for as long as possible?