working out on an empty stomach

[Dtru]

Just wondering what happens when you work out (lift weights) on an empty stomach? Friend of mine says that it burns more fat but also burns muscle. In that case, which does it burn more of? Dont really know which forum this belongs in.

[rhizome]

Just wondering what happens when you work out (lift weights) on an empty stomach? Friend of mine says that it burns more fat but also burns muscle. In that case, which does it burn more of? Dont really know which forum this belongs in.

It's going to depend on the length and intensity / energy system being used.

In general, ATP-CP, Glycogen, Muscle, Fat.

[onelifetolive]

I've been told if your main goal is to cut, work out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, cardio and weights alike.

[rhizome]

I've been told if your main goal is to cut, work out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, cardio and weights alike.

You're obviously a gullible fool. I was told this. I believe it too.

[Hasshman]

Just wondering what happens when you work out (lift weights) on an empty stomach? Friend of mine says that it burns more fat but also burns muscle. In that case, which does it burn more of? Dont really know which forum this belongs in.

Burn muscle??? First of all, you are burning muscle glycogen not muscle.
Are you starving to be buring muscle...no.
This myth about buring muscle because you skipped a meal or worked out on an empty tummy is a load of crap.
You know when you start to burn muscle, it is when you don't eat for weeks.
It is when you body runs out of glycogen, and proteins (amino acids).
You get your glycogen from the carbs and proteins you consume everyday.

[MasterJedi]

Just wondering what happens when you work out (lift weights) on an empty stomach? Friend of mine says that it burns more fat but also burns muscle. In that case, which does it burn more of? Dont really know which forum this belongs in.

Cardio I would suggest doing it but as far as lifting, you are asking for muscle loss.

[muscleheadmike6]

I wouldn't suggest working out without some protein and simple carbs in your system. You're asking for a mediocre workout, your body needs fuel to perform. Eat a plain protein such as chicken or fish and supplement with a simple carb as a fruit or a vegetable and drink an 8 ounce of skim or 1% milk. That is something that will give you energy yet still keep you lean. If I didn't eat at least 30 minutes prior to a workout I wouldn't be able to put the same kind of intensity into it. Don't deprive your body of something that important because someone who really doesn't know what they're talking about gives you poor advice. Consult a nutrionalist and I'm sure they would tell you the same thing.

[seems]

When you are working out you are using energy which is got from food you intake. So working on empty stomach dosen't seem rite.

[mpipes]

If you have the energy to maintain intensity to get an effective workout, go for it.

There's plenty of muscle glycogen available to fuel weight lifting unless you're glycogen depleted, which you could be depleted if you do a lot of high intensity work or low carb dieting. However, if you are depleted, you're not going to use any protein for energy at all because you won't even be able to lift the weights. Without glycogen, your body can not produce the ATP required for the intense muscle contractions to move the weights in the first place.

The easy test is to just try it and if you can't finish the workout or you can't do the intensity you wanted, you'll need a little carb intake before working out.

[MasterJedi]

When you are working out you are using energy which is got from food you intake. So working on empty stomach dosen't seem rite.

Hence why it rules for LI cardio!

[DiMattia43]

Just wondering what happens when you work out (lift weights) on an empty stomach? Friend of mine says that it burns more fat but also burns muscle. In that case, which does it burn more of? Dont really know which forum this belongs in.

whats up...

i have been doing this for months...

i have been trying to bulk up and take Animal Stak and Pump before i go to the gym, i take them as soon as i wake up, 20mins apart..

I am having nice gains.... Stronger and bigger....

I also did this with BSN products, NO-Xplode and cellmass... I had awesome results...

I see nothing wrong with working out on empty stomach in the morning..

It is working for me, and many other people i know from the gym and on here..

[richy_boi]

a quick answer to that is: it only makes your workouts weaker.

Although, I would suggest that immediatly after working out that you consume around 60gr of carbs (both simple and complex - fast and slow uptake) to replinsh the lost glycogen in your workout. Your muscles can't grow without them having energy and protien to repair.

[LoveANurse]

eh generally, aerobic uses carbohydrate fat **protein.
anearobic uses carbohydrate and **protein
**protein is only used when fat or carbohydrate sources arent available
dont worry by the time you wake up and exercise, unless you have been starving for a long period of time say a few days or longer you should still have atleast muscle glycogen left and usually the body uses its own fat stores to replenish those stores and is converted to use as energy. your own proteins are pretty much last resort, thats why we have fat stores so we dont have catabolize

[shanedidwhat]

Burn muscle??? First of all, you are burning muscle glycogen not muscle.
Are you starving to be buring muscle...no.
This myth about buring muscle because you skipped a meal or worked out on an empty tummy is a load of crap.
You know when you start to burn muscle, it is when you don't eat for weeks.
It is when you body runs out of glycogen, and proteins (amino acids).
You get your glycogen from the carbs and proteins you consume everyday.

what he said.

[Hasshman]

Glycogen is not only stored in your muscles, it is also stored in your liver. When you run out of glycogen from not eating carbs, your body turns to amino acids (protein) to turn into glycogen.

If you consume more fat then protein and very little carbs, your body will start to go into ketosis where fatty acids will be turned into ketones for engery...This is good because it will spare your protien intake...this protein intake will only be used for muscle growth.

[in10city]

Glycogen is not only stored in your muscles, it is also stored in your liver. When you run out of glycogen from not eating carbs, your body turns to amino acids (protein) to turn into glycogen.

If you consume more fat then protein and very little carbs, your body will start to go into ketosis where fatty acids will be turned into ketones for engery...This is good because it will spare your protien intake...this protein intake will only be used for muscle growth.

In the morning, your liver glycogen is relatively low which is a trigger for cortisol elevation to mobilize substrate for gluconeogenesis (i.e. muscle).

Cortisol is not the devil, but the conditions that cause its elevation typically are. And this is why it's not the best idea.

[Dtru]

thank you all for the posts. i actually forgot about making this thread. I was just curious to see if their was a way to burn fat with just lifting weights, not too worried about building muscle. I have no problems with work out intensity when on a empty stomach. I just didnt know if my pre workout meal was hurting my fat loss or not. As of now i just mix 1 scoop of protein with a cup of coffie 15min pre w/o and it helps keep focus.

[musky hunter]

I tried it and almost fainted. No thanks.

[Bo DeLone]

I used to eat 6 meals a day and have a meal before the workout to "fuel" the workout. I won't do that anymore. I think that eating before a workout only messes things up.

Now I undereat for up to a dozen hours before training and the workouts are better than ever. It's a lie to me when people say that you will lose muscle without breakfast. Also I now think that breakfast is just a marketing sceme to sell people more and more food throughout the day.

I overeat after the workout and I have had the best results the last few months than ever before after training on and off for 10+ years.

I am not calling anyone wrong who eats before a workout. A year ago I thought it was a good idea. It's not IMO. I started doing the Warrior Diet and it's the best thing I have ever tried in the eating/lifting part of my life. The Warrior Diet sounds totally different from general recomendations for fat loss but those mainstream approaches don't work.

Quote From Ori Hofmekler:

In summary, pre-exercise meals may rob the brain and muscle from energy (due to digestion). Eliminating the digestion effect of pre-exercise meals may only make things worse. Eating meals made from fast releasing proteins and cabs, before exercise, can cause a profound cortisol elevating effect during and after exercise. This may severely compromise ones ability to build muscle and burn fat.

In conclusion, DO NOT EAT before exercise, instead eat right after exercise.

[Dtru]

I used to eat 6 meals a day and have a meal before the workout to "fuel" the workout. I won't do that anymore. I think that eating before a workout only messes things up.

Now I undereat for up to a dozen hours before training and the workouts are better than ever. It's a lie to me when people say that you will lose muscle without breakfast. Also I now think that breakfast is just a marketing sceme to sell people more and more food throughout the day.

I overeat after the workout and I have had the best results the last few months than ever before after training on and off for 10+ years.

I am not calling anyone wrong who eats before a workout. A year ago I thought it was a good idea. It's not IMO. I started doing the Warrior Diet and it's the best thing I have ever tried in the eating/lifting part of my life. The Warrior Diet sounds totally different from general recomendations for fat loss but those mainstream approaches don't work.

Quote From Ori Hofmekler:

In summary, pre-exercise meals may rob the brain and muscle from energy (due to digestion). Eliminating the digestion effect of pre-exercise meals may only make things worse. Eating meals made from fast releasing proteins and cabs, before exercise, can cause a profound cortisol elevating effect during and after exercise. This may severely compromise ones ability to build muscle and burn fat.

In conclusion, DO NOT EAT before exercise, instead eat right after exercise.

dont know how much i believe this... when i bulk i usually eat a large apple and take 1scoop of protein b4 and a home made weight gainer after w/o and i gain really fast

[PeteCraig]

lol at these idiots.

Weight training is catabolic enough as it is, The ammount of muscle u LOSE from doing a fasted workout would be greater than what you stimulate because your body is ALREADY in a catabolic state in the morning, since it's had a/ no water b/ no protein and c/ no carbs for 8 odd hours. The second you subject your body to high intensity weight training it will IMMEDIATLEY start tearing up muscle inpaticular glutamine for use within the immune system because of the demands placed on it. Also how the **** are you ment to train with 100% intensity and focus in a fasted state? It's the stupidest thing i've ever heard.

[GTmauf]

lol at these idiots.

Weight training is catabolic enough as it is, The ammount of muscle u LOSE from doing a fasted workout would be greater than what you stimulate because your body is ALREADY in a catabolic state in the morning, since it's had a/ no water b/ no protein and c/ no carbs for 8 odd hours. The second you subject your body to high intensity weight training it will IMMEDIATLEY start tearing up muscle inpaticular glutamine for use within the immune system because of the demands placed on it. Also how the **** are you ment to train with 100% intensity and focus in a fasted state? It's the stupidest thing i've ever heard.

lmfao....Brosciense ftl.

If you would do your research you would find that fasting actually increases mental clarity and the production of Catecholamines. Which are also produced during the "fight-or-flight" response. Alot of people doing this sort of lifting find themselves being able to focus harder on the task at hand and lift harder.

Just in-case you're too lazy to look them up, and most likely have no idea what they are/do.
Catecholamines cause general physiological changes that prepare the body for physical activity (fight-or-flight response)

Everything you said is completely foolish.

[Dtru]

lol at these idiots.

Weight training is catabolic enough as it is, The ammount of muscle u LOSE from doing a fasted workout would be greater than what you stimulate because your body is ALREADY in a catabolic state in the morning, since it's had a/ no water b/ no protein and c/ no carbs for 8 odd hours. The second you subject your body to high intensity weight training it will IMMEDIATLEY start tearing up muscle inpaticular glutamine for use within the immune system because of the demands placed on it. Also how the **** are you ment to train with 100% intensity and focus in a fasted state? It's the stupidest thing i've ever heard.

I dont believe i ever said i work out in the morning either... i work out after work.

[uday1583]

I dont think it maeks any big difference as a whole... I feel working out empty stomach with more intensity and time may burn extra fat but may have some side effects too.. there should be a right balance if i am not wrong...

[MoonWalker0]

Burn muscle??? First of all, you are burning muscle glycogen not muscle.
Are you starving to be buring muscle...no.
This myth about buring muscle because you skipped a meal or worked out on an empty tummy is a load of crap.
You know when you start to burn muscle, it is when you don't eat for weeks.
It is when you body runs out of glycogen, and proteins (amino acids).
You get your glycogen from the carbs and proteins you consume everyday.

this seems to be the best post in the thread.

what do you guys think? fat loss = working out on an empty stomach?