Empty Stomach Cardio?

[Patriots25]

Hey,

Is empty stomach cardio effective? I plan to have a protein shake; I know that defeats the purpose, to reserve muscle. Then couple hours later after eating breakfast and/or lunch lift weights. Would this be effective or am I wasting my time?

[Patriots25]

Brahs let me know asap!

[CoachFatLoss]

This has been debated over and over. Some people swear by it. Some think it will waste muscle.

I personally don't like it, I believe that you need something in your stomach before your exercise. I prefer to eat some protein with some fat, therefore I don't burn the carbs I just ate. Try it out for a week, see how you feel !

[subbob]

Hey,

Is empty stomach cardio effective? I plan to have a protein shake; I know that defeats the purpose, to reserve muscle. Then couple hours later after eating breakfest and/or lunch life weights. Would this be effective or am I wasting my time?

I workout in the AM...weights first then 20-30 minutes of cardio about 4 times a week. I don't eat till after 1pm and its never affected me...I think as long as your hitting your cals in terms of cut, bulk, or maintenance your going to be fine.

[Patriots25]

This has been debated over and over. Some people swear by it. Some think it will waste muscle.

I personally don't like it, I believe that you need something in your stomach before your exercise. I prefer to eat some protein with some fat, therefore I don't burn the carbs I just ate. Try it out for a week, see how you feel !

Interesting, what is your preworkout meal?

[CoachFatLoss]

I've been doing the meat and nut breakfast for the past couple of weeks with great success. So 100 to 150g of lean meat with some nuts is my typical breakfast. If I do a big lifting session after that, I'll make sure I take BCAA's so I limit my catabolism.

If I want to do a low intensity cardio session, I'll just drink a coffee on my way... Maximize fat oxidation.

[Patriots25]

I've been doing the meat and nut breakfast for the past couple of weeks with great success. So 100 to 150g of lean meat with some nuts is my typical breakfast. If I do a big lifting session after that, I'll make sure I take BCAA's so I limit my catabolism.

If I want to do a low intensity cardio session, I'll just drink a coffee on my way... Maximize fat oxidation.

Awesome! Will 2 eggs and a banana/protein shake suffice for a moderate intensity cardio?

Thanks for the help so far!

[BradKemp]

Could be bro science but from what I understand when you eat your insulin levels raise and insulin is Kryptonite when it comes to burning fat.

So when it comes to losing weight/fat its better to do cardio on empty stomach.

So, cardio + food helps to get you in calorie deficit whereas cardio + empty stomach helps get you in calorie deficit + more likely to use fat as fuel. 2 birds with 1 stone.

[eliseash]

I don't know how people can do intense pre-breakfast cardio.
Twenty minutes in and I'm pretty much retching.

/allergictomornings.

[duke104]

I've lost 30 pounds in the past 3 months thanks to mostly empty stomach cardio and a clean diet, so yeah it definitely works for me. I dunno about you, but I have a hard time getting out of bed at 6:30 in the morning so what I do is set my alarm to the time I plan on getting up, plus half an hour before I'm supposed to get up (so in my case 6 and 6:30). When the first alarm goes off, I take a caffeine pill and go back to sleep. By the time the second alarm goes off half an hour later I'm wide awake and ready to hit the gym. I'd definitely recommend giving it a shot.

While it is true you might lose some intensity doing cardio on an empty stomach, I truly believe that you burn more fat while in a fasted state. If you're worried about losing muscle, take some BCAA's before your cardio session

[eloblivion]

I don't know how people can do intense pre-breakfast cardio.
Twenty minutes in and I'm pretty much retching.

/allergictomornings.

Same, it takes me about 2 hours and 3 cups of coffee for me to feel awake. May not be normal at 19

[Voxmusculus]

I don't know how people can do intense pre-breakfast cardio.
Twenty minutes in and I'm pretty much retching.

/allergictomornings.

Short, high-intensity early morning cardio is awesome (<30 mins). Longer and I start feeling hungry.

[nlite2000]

I've read (lyle mcdonald) say that fasted cardio is only going to make a difference when one is below 15% bodyfat.

[subbob]

I've read (lyle mcdonald) say that fasted cardio is only going to make a difference when one is below 15% bodyfat.

really? I wonder why that is...

[Naeem11]

So far on my cut I have been doing cardio and lifting fasted....why? because my schedule does not allocate time to eat and let it digest.....gym opens at 6am, im out of the gym by 7:30-7:45 max! That's warm-up, lift, and post-workout cardio. I get home....have steak n eggs for breakfast and head off to work. About 2 months and 3 weeks into my cut and so far my lifts have stayed the same, and some have even gone up slightly on certain days where my mentality is at a peak in the gym or if I decide that I feel like crap, and I need a sugar free rockstar or one of those rockstar recovery drinks.

I have lost 23-24 pounds since March 21st and that is with a week long binge after the 2nd month. Is the fact that I'm fasted making a difference? I honestly don't think so....if I had it my way I would wish to have meals pre-workout and later in the day. But is fasted cardio/lifts hurting me? if it is....it is very negligible to the point that I do not even notice.

[nlite2000]

really? I wonder why that is...

Because fasted cardio helps mobilize blood through stubborn fat stores. When you're over 15% you're not tackling stubborn fat, you're just tackling fatness. No need for voodoo when your body is just gonna burn through the regular fat first.

[subbob]

Because fasted cardio helps mobilize blood through stubborn fat stores. When you're over 15% you're not tackling stubborn fat, you're just tackling fatness. No need for voodoo when your body is just gonna burn through the regular fat first.

ah huh...makes sense man thanks. still probably won't swtich up what im doing. I haven't posted pics in a while, but I think im in between 17-20%.

[nlite2000]

ah huh...makes sense man thanks. still probably won't swtich up what im doing. I haven't posted pics in a while, but I think im in between 17-20%.

It's not like bad things happen if you do fasted cardio, so, rock on.

[msm00b]

Meal timing is irrelevant.

[subbob]

Meal timing is irrelevant.

Yeah I only eat later for two reasons

1) My fatass at times doesn't stop
2) I like to eat a bigger dinner with the wife and kid

[chuck442]

Do it or don't do it. Cardio is going to increase your calorie deficit which causes fat loss. The main difference between fasted and not is whichever you prefer more.

[wesley101]

It really depends what your goal is. If you want to build muscle mass, I think empty stomach morning cardio can only be maintained for couple weeks then you shouldn't continue to do it.

Personally I like to eat a good breakfast and do a fasting during the day before I go to the gym and hit some cardio. I personally don't like morning cardio without breakfast because it's a long commute to the gym and not eating is not an option.

I've seen some people use this method to get a skinny man's six pack though... they basically lose all the fat first then build their abs. It really depends what you want to achieve.

[WinFitness]

i don't know how people can do intense pre-breakfast cardio.
Twenty minutes in and i'm pretty much retching.

/allergictomornings.

amen!

[jubjubrsx]

fasted cardio ftw.....I used to workout at night after dinner, although now I do it first thing in the morning at 420ish, I've found that actually I enjoy running fasted, always hated that feeling of food sloshing around in my stomach.

[Obscene]

I don't know how people can do intense pre-breakfast cardio.
Twenty minutes in and I'm pretty much retching.

/allergictomornings.

Pre workout. Without it I'd be hurling or would still be sitting in bed.