Hello,
Does it really teach your body to burn fat for fuel if you do your workouts on an empty stomach?
Thanks!
Gall
Dont know if it teaches the body to burn fat. But it probably will keep you from pigging out so much after work out and help keep you from bonking out early in workout.
I have much better workouts when I am fueled and think it is, in almost every case the best way to go.
I’ve read stories about pro-cyclists who go out on empty stomachs for long (2-3 hours) rides on empty stomachs
at low Z1/Z2 to stimulate fat burning…but those guys are riding 20+ hours a week and can probably
spare some ‘junk-riding’ just to get lean.
As an age-group athlete - I think we are better served to make the most of every workout and that
means quality, well fueled sessions.
Does it really teach your body to burn fat for fuel if you do your workouts on an empty stomach?
I think your body is smarter than you give it credit for…and to remain smart it needs fuel.
depends on a few things, but you usually don’t need to fuel before a workout. You probably eat enough during the previous days that you arent depleted of muscle glycogen, you generally have more that you absolutely need at most points in the day. Also, if you arent going to eat 3-4 hrs before your workout, you really arent getting any fuel out of it because food takes more than 30 minutes to digest and have it’s energy available to use for exercise. you’ll probably have a better workout without eating because you won’t have any chance of still digesting food while running.
For a long bike ride, EAT!!
For a run, if you eat before hand, bring wipeys. I brink shot-blocks with me, it keeps me satisfied.
I don’t eat before a swim at 5am. I have thrown down a Roctane to wake me up though.
I don’t think it matters if you eat before, I think you’ll still want to pig out when you get home after a long session. But pig out on the right foods and you are okay.
And remember, there IS protein in ice cream…
If the workout is first thing in the morning, then yes.
Does it really teach your body to burn fat for fuel if you do your workouts on an empty stomach?
I think your body is smarter than you give it credit for…and to remain smart it needs fuel.
Yes, like the 2500 calories of stored fuel (glycogen) and the other 25,000 calories of stored fat.
Hello,
Does it really teach your body to burn fat for fuel if you do your workouts on an empty stomach?
Thanks!
Gall
I read questions like this and I really start to “get” Paulo. I really do.
John
Most of my workouts are first thing in the morning during the week. I fuel(OJ and Aminos) about 30 minutes before just about every workout simply because it makes me feel more primed for action. I do, however skip the OJ when all I have on the calendar is an easy run. I have read a few articles that have claimed that this will help your body learn to burn fat as fuel, but I just figure that since I don’t necessarily need to be keyed up mentally or physically for an easy 4 or 5 miler - so I might as well not put the calories into my system if they don’t add any value to the workout. So I do not know if my body learns to burn fat any better for the effort, but I know my calorie equation gets tipped in my favor if I can avoid unnecessary fuel.
On the other hand - I fuel before, and during long, or interval sessions without fail.
I know I have better workouts when I eat something beforehand. If I don’t, my energy level is a notch below what I like it to be.
x2 
Fat-burning is intensity dependent.
Yep, because it’s a well established fact that my body is stupid and can’t be learned.
-Jot
I wasn’t aware that you could teach your body to burn fat…how does that work?
jaretj
I wasn’t aware that you could teach your body to burn fat…how does that work?
First you test.
Then you spend time teaching to the test.
Then you test again.
I call it “No Fat Left Behind”.
-Jot
Oh…I see.
Do you use the fatty acid or the adipose protocol?
jaretj
I don’t like to let your scientific mumbo-jumbo hinder
“No Fat Left Behind”.
I use the “beer:exercise” protocol. This involves avoiding
moderation in both.
Patent pending, natch.
-Jot
I’m sure someone has already patented that approach
jaretj
.
lol
.
Wait, now you’re resorting to legal mumbo jumbo to try to
stifle my idea.
THE MAN CAN KEEP ME DOWN!!!
…what? oh, sure…I’ll take another one before last call.
I’ll burn it off on my trainer ride.
Where were we?
-Jot