Fasted cardio debate

[SC1]

I started doing fasted cardio to burn off some excess fat quickly. Curious about the science behind it, I started doing some additional research and came across this thread:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...=fasted+cardio

It is a fantastic thread!!! It starts off as an arguement against fasted cardio, but if you read on (get to at least page 3), there are several other very good points made for it as well. It's heavy reading supported by some interesting scientific studies on both ends.

I came out of it far more educated, but just as confused. I highly recommend checking it out if you want to learn more about the fat burning process.

Are there any women here who have expirimented with both fasted AM cardio and carb-fueled fed cardio long term? Can you share your personal opinions about what has worked best for you and why? Thanks!

[Rachel_n_SD]

yes, can share-
i used to swear by fasted cardio, and ran 5 miles every morning fasted. at the time i thought it was doing wonders, i did lose weight, and fast, but my body felt very 'soft'.
i should mention that during this time, i was training with weights and eating properly, and knew what i was doing.

i decided to give fed cardio the benefit of the doubt-i dont necessarily even eat that much, a small piece of fruit or something about an hour beforehand,
i feel that it has helped me retain more muscle, i generally maintain my 'harder' feeling all over, and made identical progress when it came to fat loss.

i believe now that fed cardio is the way to go-most people who advocate fasted cardio haven't experimented with fed cardio.
its kind of a pet peeve of mine when people say "oh, ive been doing this for 5 years and it works"
how do they know that something else might not work better?

[stellar]

I think ashla raises a critial point by bringing up how she FEELS doing it. We are all different and some people will probably respond better than others to fasted cardio.

For example, i'm the opposite of ashla. Whenever i've tried to do fasted cardio it felt horrible. I was creaky and cramping up. I can't say whether it would have worked for fat loss better than anything else, because i was unable to actually work it into my routine because it made me feel like crap.

[justagirl]

Originally Posted by ashla

The reason I can say fasted cardio works FOR ME(key point)--is that number 1--it is more comfortable for me to have an emoty stomach--if I have eaten anywhere close to cardio--I feel like puking. Next--I have reached and maintained a low bf ever since I started.

ditto. i really really love working out first thing in the morning, but if i eat before hand i'm extremely uncomfortable. i'm sure i could eat and wait an hour or two and feel alright, but then i wouldn't get the amazing feeling i get from working out first thing and being energized for the whole day

i feel that at the rate i'm going, with fasted cardio in my routine, i will see a lot more definition but june 1

[fitinidaho]

It's funny how we are all different....If I didnt eat b4 cardio...I would pass out! lol.....too weak for that.

[crazycat]

This debate could go on forever. But the main thing people have to remember is that everyone is different and what works for one does not always work for another. I personally have tried both and fasted cardio works the best for fat loss, but on the other hand fed cardio gives me a bit more energy. So just weigh up what works for your current goals.