To eat or not to eat?

When you exercise first thing in the morning, should you eat first or exercise first?

The answer depends on a few factors.

Are you exercising within an hour of getting up? How long is your exercise session? Are you trying to lose body fat?

If you are trying to lose body fat then waiting to eat until after your workout may be the answer. New research shows for the first time that exercising before eating increases the gene expression of adipose (fat) tissue. Genes that turn on fat metabolism are active when participants exercised in a fasted state, first thing in the morning before eating, and were not active if participants had breakfast before exercising. The study was small, but it is the first to study gene expression in adipose tissue and exercise.

If your goal is not to lose weight, but improved performance. It is better to fuel your muscles with carbohydrates at least two hours before activity. Eating before a big workout or an event will help you perform at your best and reduce fatigue.

Increase fat burning by exercising first thing in the morning, before you eat breakfast and join the 7 Day Fitness Challenge for a week of motivation. Details coming next week! 

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla