Working out on empty stomach

[ch3mical]

Hello everyone,

The only chance I am able to work out these days is pretty much right after I wake up (around 6:30). After my attempted bulking over the winter (naturally.... gained a lot of strength, but not too much muscle mass at all like I wanted to), I am looking towards cutting and preserving the muscle I do have, or gaining lean muscle while losing fat somehow...

I'm sitting at around 15% body fat at the moment, and my goal is to get below 10 for the summer.

Anyways, my routine consists of lifting Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and want to add in cardio for Wednesday as well. I know that HIIT is good for cutting, but heard it is a terrible idea to do it on an empty stomach.

On top of my regular lifting schedule and a strict diet, what should I be doing for cardio on lifting days, should I do it before/after my workout, and what should I do on my cardio only day? Keep in mind these workouts will be done on an empty stomach.

Thanks!

[Praetorian]

You NEVER lift on an empty stomach big mistake...unless you like losing muscle. Get up have a shake with waxy maize and whey isolate with 1 Tbsp olive oil. You can train 20-30 min later. The type of cardio will be determines by the type of diet you are on. Cardio is always done after training NEVER before unless you do it first thing in the morning and dont train until later that day. Cardio is also done every day lifting or not.
P

[ch3mical]

You NEVER lift on an empty stomach big mistake...unless you like losing muscle. Get up have a shake with waxy maize and whey isolate with 1 Tbsp olive oil. You can train 20-30 min later. The type of cardio will be determines by the type of diet you are on. Cardio is always done after training NEVER before unless you do it first thing in the morning and dont train until later that day. Cardio is also done every day lifting or not.
P

Thanks for the quick reply! So right after I get up at 6:30, should I have a protein shake and then head to the gym to workout around 7?

Also on my non-lifting day, should I still follow the same routine of having a shake and then doing my cardio, or should I do my cardio fasted like I've read on many sites?

[ch3mical]

You NEVER lift on an empty stomach big mistake...unless you like losing muscle. Get up have a shake with waxy maize and whey isolate with 1 Tbsp olive oil. You can train 20-30 min later. The type of cardio will be determines by the type of diet you are on. Cardio is always done after training NEVER before unless you do it first thing in the morning and dont train until later that day. Cardio is also done every day lifting or not.
P

Also if I have this shake before my training. Do I still have one right after along with my normal breakfast shortly after that?

[JonnyO]

You NEVER lift on an empty stomach big mistake...unless you like losing muscle. Get up have a shake with waxy maize and whey isolate with 1 Tbsp olive oil. You can train 20-30 min later. The type of cardio will be determines by the type of diet you are on. Cardio is always done after training NEVER before unless you do it first thing in the morning and dont train until later that day. Cardio is also done every day lifting or not.
P

dead on!

[juced_porkchop]

You NEVER lift on an empty stomach big mistake...unless you like losing muscle. Get up have a shake with waxy maize and whey isolate with 1 Tbsp olive oil. You can train 20-30 min later. The type of cardio will be determines by the type of diet you are on. Cardio is always done after training NEVER before unless you do it first thing in the morning and dont train until later that day. Cardio is also done every day lifting or not.
P

i agree 100000%!

[juced_porkchop]

I take 1-2scoop of lipotropic and 20-30g dextrose with 3g creatine.

[Praetorian]

Also if I have this shake before my training. Do I still have one right after along with my normal breakfast shortly after that?

Shake before training...then if dieting cardio on empty stomach. Then you can have another shake and a whole meal 2 hours later.
P

[Praetorian]

Thanks for the quick reply! So right after I get up at 6:30, should I have a protein shake and then head to the gym to workout around 7? ***YES

Also on my non-lifting day, should I still follow the same routine of having a shake and then doing my cardio, or should I do my cardio fasted like I've read on many sites?

***do cardio on empty stomach then have shake or whole meal



P

[Danger]

Nothing is worse than working out with an empty stomach, nevermind that its just a bad idea... anytime I have ever done it, I get all gross and kinda sick feeling. Cant imagine anyone would want to feel that intentionally yuck!

[JMP]

Nothing is worse than working out with an empty stomach, nevermind that its just a bad idea... anytime I have ever done it, I get all gross and kinda sick feeling. Cant imagine anyone would want to feel that intentionally yuck!


Actually you would be surprised at how many people just normally skip breakfast . Myself i never used to eat prior to working out until i was given the same advice as above ( Thanks P !) , it reallt does make a difference !

[TopHatPlus]

Hey man i was in a similar situation but different circumstances, i got done work at 5-5:30 and wanted to be at the gym by 6:30-7 and i cannot eat within 3 hours of the gym because i cramp up and feel bloated, so i turned to protein shakes, they are pretty great, i use promasil and 100% recommend it, its like a protein shake and a multi vitamin had an amazing child, mix it with some milk and some fruit and blend it up and you have a very taste shake. I recommend consumption about 45-60 minutes for the best results and least cramping, you'll find the shake will help reduce post workout pain and help you really push your workouts up the next level.

[Devious]

I have been following LeanGains on and off this last year. For the last 8 weeks, I have been upping all my lifts via weight or reps. I don't eat before noon everyday and finish eating around 8pm

I take 10g BCAA + Jack3d before my workout and thats it. I am never bloated or feel sick to my stomach at the gym. (usually around 10am-11am)

I feel fresh and strong when I enter and leave the gym. Never had a problem, give it a try.

[Praetorian]

i have been following leangains on and off this last year. For the last 8 weeks, i have been upping all my lifts via weight or reps. I don't eat before noon everyday and finish eating around 8pm

i take 10g bcaa + jack3d before my workout and thats it. I am never bloated or feel sick to my stomach at the gym. (usually around 10am-11am)

i feel fresh and strong when i enter and leave the gym. Never had a problem, give it a try.

yikes!
P

[JMP]

I have been following LeanGains on and off this last year. For the last 8 weeks, I have been upping all my lifts via weight or reps. I don't eat before noon everyday and finish eating around 8pm

I take 10g BCAA + Jack3d before my workout and thats it. I am never bloated or feel sick to my stomach at the gym. (usually around 10am-11am)

I feel fresh and strong when I enter and leave the gym. Never had a problem, give it a try.

You really should follow some advice on this thread ......

[ironwill]

Something thats working real well so far, may be changed by my coach later is...I drink a whey shake with glutamine and a few rice cakes about an hour or so prior, do a good workout, then i drink 2 scoops of whey isolate with glutamine again, do 45 minutes of fairly intense cardio, then drink bcaas, then an hour later a meal....Im dropping fat like a mofo right now....Im 14 weeks out now, so this very well may change, but Im finding its working well....
Not debating, just a different perspective....
Of course it all depends on time of day, and what your calories are like throughout the day....

[YYZgeddylee]

like usual, I'm going to go contra the herd
and say Try It for yourself, before you dismiss the idea.

I know two paleo guys that work out fasted about half the time
and they're 8-9% year round and strong as fackin ox's.

Myself, its tough sluggin and need caffinene to make it thru.

Try it for yourself. you're not going to set PR's, but you may find that it mobilizes fat like a mofo

[O-Train]

Never lift on an empty stomach, common sense prevails.

[YYZgeddylee]

almost everything we now consider as wrong
was at one time considered 'common sense'.

guys, all i'm saying is try things for yourself,
experiment, see what works for you, we're all individuals,
dont just follow what the magazines are saying this month.

[O-Train]

almost everything we now consider as wrong
was at one time considered 'common sense'.

guys, all i'm saying is try things for yourself,
experiment, see what works for you, we're all individuals,
dont just follow what the magazines are saying this month.

I really hope you're joking. It's like telling a modern day physicist that gravity is just a trend. Anyone aspiring to be bigger, stronger, faster or just generally able to function at a high level in the gym will eat prior to training. You can call it biochemistry or physiology or nutrition or whatever you want but it's how the body functions and it isn't going to change any time soon.

[ripjar]

You NEVER lift on an empty stomach big mistake...unless you like losing muscle. Get up have a shake with waxy maize and whey isolate with 1 Tbsp olive oil. You can train 20-30 min later. The type of cardio will be determines by the type of diet you are on. Cardio is always done after training NEVER before unless you do it first thing in the morning and dont train until later that day. Cardio is also done every day lifting or not.
P

Eat right before you go to bed. I used to take L-Glutamine first thing in the morning with some nitric oxide and then worked out at home before breakfast. Right after working out I loaded up with a protein shake and ate breakfast as normal. Toast, eggs, milk, fruit. It really helped me lose the fat and ended up bigger then I ever have in my life. I Found when i got used to it, food in my stomach only slowed me down. Its better to take nitric oxide on an empty stomach. You feel the energy pump more and it get to your head that you are doing better because you see the results.

[YYZgeddylee]

I really hope you're joking. It's like telling a modern day physicist that gravity is just a trend. .

That's a good example.
How about the earth being flat ?
The sun revolving around the earth ?
Eating eggs causes atherosclerosis ?
Nautalus machines are the ideal training method ?
Situps are the best ab exercise? (read Stuart McGill’s work)
etc, etc

All I'm saying is, keep an open mind.
I see so many untruths posted on discussion boards
that it makes me not want to read them, and post even less.