Meal before afternoon cardio

**Josh** · 09-22-2002, 08:22 AM

I'm planning to do cardio again to lower my body fat %, but have the following question. I heard that the best time to do cardio is in the morning before breakfast. This is because at that time we have about 8 hours without food, so the carb energy is already low, so with this low energy level doing cardio will quickly burn fat to supply the energy. Now my schedule prohibits me to do cardio in the morning, so I would have to do it after work, around 4-5 pm. I also have learned that we should eat carbs + protein around 1-2 hours before doing weight workout, so that the carbs would supply enough energy to do the workout intensely.

So now my questions is, if I would like to do an afternoon/evening cardio session, should I eat a meal 1-2 hours prior just like when I want to do a weight training session? Or should I skip meals, for instance after lunch I eat nothing more, so that my energy level is low enough and fat would be burnt to support the cardio session? What is the best strategy to make afternoon/evening cardio more effective to burn fat?

- Josh

**Leslie** · 09-22-2002, 09:24 AM

IMO- you should eat a regular meal 1-2 hours prior to your cardio/weight w/o. NEVER skip meals

If you work out hard with the weights, you should deplete most of your "food energy" by the time you do your cardio afterwards. Just be sure to do the cardio AFTER the weight workout

**Josh** · 09-22-2002, 05:41 PM

But I was planning to do weight training and cardio sessions on different days, this way I thought I could spread my gym hours and not feel too tired. Should I not do this then?

- Josh

**gopro** · 09-23-2002, 07:52 AM

On the cardio day make the last meal before the cardio protein only with perhaps a salad or green veggie...no carbs. This will give you the advantage of low blood sugar during your cardio.

**Fit Freak** · 09-23-2002, 08:40 AM

BUMP for Gopro's thoughts!

**Fit Freak** · 09-23-2002, 08:41 AM

IMO- you should eat a regular meal 1-2 hours prior to your cardio/weight w/o. NEVER skip meals

This is VERY TRUE

**Josh** · 09-26-2002, 05:58 PM

Thanks for all the advises -- eventhough I got conflicting messages here........

- Josh

**gopro** · 09-27-2002, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Josh
Thanks for all the advises -- eventhough I got conflicting messages here........

- Josh

Trust me Josh, LOL.

**Training God** · 09-27-2002, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by Josh

So now my questions is, if I would like to do an afternoon/evening cardio session, should I eat a meal 1-2 hours prior just like when I want to do a weight training session? Or should I skip meals, for instance after lunch I eat nothing more, so that my energy level is low enough and fat would be burnt to support the cardio session? What is the best strategy to make afternoon/evening cardio more effective to burn fat?

- Josh

*** If it's after lunch and you don't eat, that would be a prime time to perform your cardio. At this time there is no need to consume any amino acids prior to your cardio session. Othewise like the others said, don't skip meals.

**Josh** · 10-01-2002, 07:58 PM

Okay...one thing is clear, I should not skip any scheduled meal before cardio.

Now how about after a cardio session? I mean, after a weight training session I should have a special meal to replenish the energy, right? How about after cardio? Should I take a special meal as well, or should I just wait for the next scheduled meal?

- Josh

**JD_Boss** · 10-01-2002, 09:31 PM

Years ago I lost 30 lbs of blubber in basic training.

The routine was to do most of our endurance work BEFORE we had breakfast...say, 4:30am, PT followed by a run or a forced march. That worked wonders for all of us fat bodies.

Currently, when I want to loose a few extra pounds, I goto the gym 2 mornings a week and ride the elyptical machine (Keep in mind that I workout at least 5 nights per week...weight training only).

This works for me...everytime! In fact, about 5 or 6 years ago I topped out at 280lbs (before I got serious about my health, training, and diet)! Following this routine, I've maintained 235lbs for the past two years...w/o eating salads!!!

AND, it's not that you are skipping a meal...you are just working out beforehand. AND, if your breaksast is LOW in sugars (NONE, if you can swing it), you won't feel graggy before noon and your cardio work will be more effective!

I say give it a try...got nothing to loose, but fat!

**Josh** · 10-02-2002, 12:33 AM

Yes, I know that the best time to do cardio is in the morning before breakfast. Problem is, my current schedule prevents me to do this. That's why I am asking about doing cardio effectively in the afternoon. I usually can do this around 4-5 pm. So with lunch at 12 pm, I should have another meal at around 3 pm, and the next one around 6 pm (every 2-3 hours, right?). I am trying to figure out how to make my cardio sessions more effective with this kind of schedule (maybe not as effective as in the morning before breakfast, but as effective as it possible can).

- Josh

**gopro** · 10-02-2002, 08:09 AM

Have a protein and vegetable meal (no starches) at 3. Do your cardio about an hour later. After cardio just wait and eat your next healthy meal between 530 and 6. This will work just fine.

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