Working Out On An Empty Stomach

Well it is time to put another training myth to bed. This is a very popular myth and I know plenty of people who still practice this method. The myth is you should workout on an empty stomach and you will burn more fat.

The theory makes sense. If you have no food in your system and you start to workout the energy has to come from somewhere so why not fat. You have a limited supply of energy stores in the muscle, but since you haven't eaten in a while they will be depleted. So we can assume that the energy will come from our fat stores.

Unfortunately you know what assuming does. And things never work out this simple, especially in the fitness world. A recent study in the February 2011 issue of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition, Exercise, and Metabolism looked to answer this question.

The study was simple. They took a group of individuals and had them perform the same workout twice. One day they did it in the morning without consuming any food. Then they performed it a few days later after eating a light breakfast.

The Results? They found that exercising on an empty stomach did not enhance fat burning anymore than when consuming breakfast. They also found, and more importantly, that resting energy expenditures where significantly higher in the 24 hours after the workout when participants consumed breakfast. So, eating breakfast before a workout can actually help you lose more weight.

If you don't believe the science, simply try it. If you can perform a workout on an empty stomach, then I know why you are having trouble losing weight. You just aren't working out hard enough. If you have ever tried working out without eating anything before, you just will not have the energy to get through the workout. You will feel nauseous, light headed, and weak. Not a very good combination for a weight loss workout.

So start your day with a healthy breakfast before you hit the gym.

You Stay Healthy San Diego,

Mike Deibler MS, CSCS
San Diego Premier Training