Thread: Training after eating

I usually wait around hour too if my day goes where I have to eat that close to lifting. I usually plan my lift around my eating schedule so it's right before a meal. And I know cardio is good in the morning on an empty stomach. I don't think it would hurt too much to train on an empty stomach. I would try to get some carbs and protein before. Maybe a protein bar or energy bar before?

BC lifter, if you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I'm in Victoria. Built (one of our moderators) is in Vancouver, too.

Originally Posted by Phineas

BC lifter, if you don't mind me asking, where do you live? I'm in Victoria. Built (one of our moderators) is in Vancouver, too.

Cool man I live in Vic too. Esquimault to be exact. I got a rec pass so Ive been hopping around the rec centre gyms, mainly train at Perkes or the Commonwealth. My pass is expiring soon though and Im looking for a different gym. Where do you train?

Originally Posted by BC Lifter

Cool man I live in Vic too. Esquimault to be exact. I got a rec pass so Ive been hopping around the rec centre gyms, mainly train at Perkes or the Commonwealth. My pass is expiring soon though and Im looking for a different gym. Where do you train?

Cool, man!

I train at the downtown YMCA. It's 32/month, which is about the best deal you'll find here. Also, we have a lot of serious, experienced athletes, so the level of performance is high. It really helps give you extra motivation.

Originally Posted by BC Lifter

How long should you wait? I usually wait about an hour or so.

Also is it bad to wake up and go train on an empty stomach?

If you can have a small snack soon after training that would be smart. I've read some posts here lately where it seems the whole "window of opportunity" argument for replenishing carbs after training is overblown. So, I'm not 100% but I feel much better if I eat something small within 30 minutes. Something like a mixture of organic yogurt, quick oats, and whey isolate. However, if you're going to supplement with whey isolate after training just note that fat will slow the absorption process, so aim for a low-fat protein fix.

I've heard there are benefits to training on an empty stomach, but I'm not one for weird diet and training ideas. The way I see it: for me to have a truly intense, healthy workout I need fuel. And so, I never train without food in me.

I like to train 1/2 hour after I eat. I think 20 mins to an hour is good. I like to eat closer to when I'm going to train. I train heavy with low reps. It's a mental thing for me. I feel stronger when I have full stomach. Now if I'm doing HIIT or cardio then I usually eat about an hour before.

Sometimes I am eating right before going to gym,lol.

I usually get up and train first thing, so I throw down a protein shake and get going. Any real food takes too long and tends to make me feel a bit sick.

BC Lifter - if you feel fine to train an hour after eating, go ahead and train. Ideally, training empty ain't so grand, but if you eat a good meal at bedtime, train in the AM and then eat right away afterward, you're fine.

Thanks Built.

you can become a fat-burning machine with fasted AM training . . . BCAAs and caffine to avoid catabolism

Originally Posted by TheCapt'n

you can become a fat-burning machine with fasted AM training . . . BCAAs and caffine to avoid catabolism

How can caffeine prevent catabolism? I would think if anything it would accelerate it.

Caffeine mobilizes FFAs. With FFAs to burn for energy the body need not scavenge muscle.

Originally Posted by Built

Caffeine mobilizes FFAs. With FFAs to burn for energy the body need not scavenge muscle.

Good to know.

I have more on this in the "daredevils" article linked in my sig.

Please note this won't matter much at all until you are beyond lean - and looking to SHRED.