Morning Exercise

Author
Discussion

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

188 months

Sunday 21st February 2010
quotequote all
Evening Everyone smile

As an attempt to start getting fit I will be getting up a bit earlier every morning and doing some cycling for about an hour. I would like to know if I am best off doing this on an empty stomach or whether I need to eat something beforehand?

Cheers

Sammo

Animal

5,335 posts

275 months

Sunday 21st February 2010
quotequote all
If your aim is to lose bodyfat then I'd suggest you do your morning cardio on an empty stomach. If you're looking to gain muscle mass and maybe do some weights-based exercise too then I'd suggest you get some breakfast beforehand.

However, it does depend on how happy you are to get up early enough to have that meal an hour or so before you exercise!

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

188 months

Sunday 21st February 2010
quotequote all
For now the aim is to just lose body fat. Once that has started happening then I would like to start gaining some muscle in which case I will be doing some weight training in the evenings after I have eaten dinner.

Cheers

Animal

5,335 posts

275 months

Monday 22nd February 2010
quotequote all
You don't have to lose bodyfat before you start trying to build muscle: it'll probably help to ease yourself into anaerobic exercise - and you'll be burning more calories.

If you can, I'd do your evening exercise before dinner. You'll need to eat after you've exercised to fuel your body's repair process, and it's never a good idea to go to bed just after eating.

drivin_me_nuts

17,949 posts

218 months

Monday 22nd February 2010
quotequote all
Yes. Cycle on an empty stomach. A while back I was cycling about 15 miles per day first thing in the morning. It's a really great way to start the day. Just make sure you drink something before yhou go. I used to have a cup of tea and take a drink with you if you are going any distance, and keep a nutty bar of some description in the cycle carrier.

(I lost 2 stone in about 4 months - it was the easiest thing to do).


On a different tack if you are cycling in this weather, make sure you warm up before you go out. Wind chill is an absolute killer. I suggest you wear a decent base layer (Howies make some very good quality merino wool ones) and some proper winter socks (something like wooly boolies - stupid name, excellent product) and at least two lights on the bike and a high viz jacket... oh yes, and a hat


cheadle hulme

2,471 posts

189 months

Monday 22nd February 2010
quotequote all
Good advice in the post above. Make sure you know how your body and brain reacts to exercise on an empty stomach before you go out in traffic though.

Sammo123

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

188 months

Monday 22nd February 2010
quotequote all
drivin_me_nuts said:
Yes. Cycle on an empty stomach. A while back I was cycling about 15 miles per day first thing in the morning. It's a really great way to start the day. Just make sure you drink something before yhou go. I used to have a cup of tea and take a drink with you if you are going any distance, and keep a nutty bar of some description in the cycle carrier.

(I lost 2 stone in about 4 months - it was the easiest thing to do).


On a different tack if you are cycling in this weather, make sure you warm up before you go out. Wind chill is an absolute killer. I suggest you wear a decent base layer (Howies make some very good quality merino wool ones) and some proper winter socks (something like wooly boolies - stupid name, excellent product) and at least two lights on the bike and a high viz jacket... oh yes, and a hat
Cheers for that fella. Very helpful biggrin