NYTimes Article: Exercising BEFORE breakfast

I had to use this photo from the NYTimes article because
last time Matt & I were in NY we took a photo right here!

There is still no doubt that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. DO NOT SKIP IT! Your  body has been resting (and famished for 6-9 hours; if you get your appropriate amount of sleep) which means your glucose levels are low. You need to provide some energy early on to jump start your brain, muscles, and metabolism.

But, should your workout come before or after your morning munch? This NYTimes articles let's us know...

"As has been known for some time, exercising in a fasted state (usually possible only before breakfast), coaxes the body to burn a greater percentage of fat for fuel during vigorous exercise, instead of relying primarily on carbohydrates. When you burn fat, you obviously don’t store it in your muscles. In 'our study, only the fasted group demonstrated beneficial metabolic adaptations, which eventually may enhance oxidative fatty acid turnover,' said Peter Hespel, Ph.D." In other words, working out before breakfast directly combated the two most detrimental effects of eating a high-fat, high-calorie diet. It also helps to avoid gaining weight.


*There are caveats, of course. Exercising on an empty stomach is unlikely to improve your performance during that workout. Carbohydrates are easier for working muscles to access and burn for energy than fat, which is why athletes typically eat a high-carbohydrate diet.


** My solution? I eat 1/2 a banana an hour before my workout - I don't feel famished but I really haven't eaten either. That banana is used up instantly in my workout then my body pulls from my stores for the rest of it. 


Read the full article HERE.