So you’ve made a decision to be more healthy and active in your everyday life! That’s marvelous, and the first and hardest step is actually making that choice and deciding to rule out all the unhealthy temptations and focusing on staying fit.
But you may not know quite how to go about it. Many questions arise when you are planning your weight loss routine. In this article, we will address one of these questions, the one that relates to timing of eating and exercising.
It is natural to be somewhat lost when it comes to figuring out your workout plan and what and when you should eat to maximize the results of your workout efforts.
To this end, researchers conducted an experiment on three groups of young men. One group exercised on an empty stomach and then ate a high-calorie and high-fat meal after the workout. The second group ate the same thing but before the workout. The third group ate the same food but did not work out at all.
Unsurprisingly, the third group gained weight. But what was surprising was that the second group also gained weight, albeit less than the third. Finally, there was virtually no weight gain in the first group.
These results may come as a shock to some, because we are always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that to lose weight we should eat before exercising. But let us not forget the type of food that these subjects were given; they were put on a high-fat, high-calorie diet. But if you had a reasonable breakfast before working out, one that provides you with just the right amount of energy to boost your body, you could burn more calories.
The bottom line: two best solutions
Keep in mind that when it comes to weight loss, each person must find the routine that suits them best as there are many factors involved. It may take some time, and you may struggle at first, but eventually you will find what works for you.
Solution #1: If you choose to eat before working out in the morning, make sure you include food that is high in fiber and some proteins to go along with it.
Solution #2: If you choose to work out on an empty stomach, don’t forget to at least have some water to keep your body hydrated and to prevent fatigue, and certainly eat after exercising to replenish your body with carbs and protein.
