cardio...morning on empty stomache?

[toooosmall]

I've heard alot of people say to do cardio in the morning on an empty stomache, after waking up, then workout hours later (when well fueled). is this good?
also, after cardio, is it good to have a postcardio protein shake? and if so, with carbs?
any feedback or comments or experience or whatever would be great, thanks!

[baseline_9]

Id go with everything you have said my man...

some would debate the carbs post cardio but IMO they should be there as long as they are LOW GI (Oats in ur shake)

And keep it Low intensity if ur fasted

[toooosmall]

thanks dude, but I've read in musclemag to do high gi carbs postcardio, even more high gi carbs than postworkout. what have you heard? i really don't know who to agree with here at all yet

[Scabtree]

I read that same muscle mag and thought it was kind of a strange conclusion as well. It's seems to me that morning, after you body has been fasting was the best for cardio and may body builders have followed suit.

[toooosmall]

cool

[Bulkn]

I would add about 20g dextrose in your shake with oats and protein.

[mackdiesel]

I've had a lot of success with cardio first thing in the morning upon waking, on an empty stomach. It's good for weight loss as your body is already glycogen-depleted after fasting (while sleeping 8 hrs.), and also gives your body time to recharge before heavy lifting later in the day. I agree with the above poster that any post-cardio carb intake should be low GI. The reason post weight-workout carbs should be high-GI is to replenish glycogen stores for muscle repair/growth... but post-cardio you don't really have that concern, so you don't need the sugar. Also, your body will continue burning energy for at least an hour after a high-intensity cardio workout, so it's better if that energy comes from stored fat and not newly-consumed high-GI carbs.

On another note, I once had a wrestling coach in high school tell me that if you really want to lose weight, you should do cardio immediately before going to bed. I don't know if this is good advice or not; would appreciate some input.

[toooosmall]

makes alot of sense, mac, thanks. now i wonder if a 2-3 hour rest between cardio and workout is sufficient. my work schedule is weird, 11-8pm, so if i do cardio at 630am, then eat, and do workout at 930am, if that will be good. any input mac, or anyone?

[mackdiesel]

I think a 2-3 hour rest between cardio and weights is fine; just make sure you get in some good nutrition in between. You could probably do your cardio upon waking, eat breakfast immediately after, and then get in a pre-workout meal or snack right before the weight workout. Good luck dude!

[Panzerfaust]

You know, over the years when I worked out seriously. I have always found that AM cardio is the best for me. It gets me up and moving for the day, i'm more alert etc. I've tried AM workouts (after a meal of course) with 20-30m cardio after. I've tried AM workouts with PM cardio. I never felt or got the same results as consistently getting up in the AM and doing my cardio. Maybe play with it for awhile, try AM, PM and see what works for you. I dare say AM would be your best bet.

[toooosmall]

Mack, thanks, that is such sweet music to my ears!! (yet i love gangsta rap, and you didn't rhyme, and still i forgive you! lol) muriloninja (can i call ya mn??) YOU also have made me thoroughly convinced that am cardio is best. what do you feel about it being on an empty stomache upon waking? I've read pros and cons, but would appreciate steroid dot com soldier's like yallz input above all...

[Sir Anabolic]

I don't think it really matters. Personally i like to do cardio later on in the day when I have more energy from the food. Allows me to hit in harder than the morning cardio.

[toooosmall]

thks sir anabolic. wow, 100's of opinions... leaves me confused.... almost.
I'm now leaning towards macks deal, but waiting for mn....
no offense, sir anabolic. (because you stated that you think doesn't reall¥ matter either way.)

[Panzerfaust]

Mack, thanks, that is such sweet music to my ears!! (yet i love gangsta rap, and you didn't rhyme, and still i forgive you! lol) muriloninja (can i call ya mn??) YOU also have made me thoroughly convinced that am cardio is best. what do you feel about it being on an empty stomache upon waking? I've read pros and cons, but would appreciate steroid dot com soldier's like yallz input above all...

It's really not as simple as me saying "Do AM cardio, its the best"..while I believe it to be the best approach you may find that personally for YOU, that that is not the case. You gotta play with it but I know for a fact that for me, AM is king! I wakeup, take some glutamine and if available Acetyl L-Carnatine then get to it.

I think Mack and I are under the same belief here.

[toooosmall]

I'll try this ASAP. i guess i just gotta deal with hunger for a lil while no big whoop.

[Kawigirl]

When I wasn't dieting for show...cardio whenever...didn't matter really for myself. When I was in competition mode..cardio first thing am. Limited carbs and training...ugh...last thing I wanted to do was cardio at the end of my day. But...after am cardio...famished! DO NOT talk to me till I have my protein.....that was the draw back.
I've dieted under a few Pro's....and each one had different opinions of when to do cardio. I think everyone is different with their response and you need to trial and error when your's is best for you

[toooosmall]

thanks kawi. trial and error it must be.

[The Titan99]

My vote, mainly because it's most comfortable for me and my schedule is moderate intensity AM fasted cardio at 7:00 am for 35 minutes followed by Protein, 0% fat milk 8 egg whites, one whole egg and one cup oats. 6:30 pm weights...

[toooosmall]

My vote, mainly because it's most comfortable for me and my schedule is moderate intensity AM fasted cardio at 7:00 am for 35 minutes followed by Protein, 0% fat milk 8 egg whites, one whole egg and one cup oats. 6:30 pm weights...

that sounds really good too. thanks!

[Tigershark]

When I do my cardio on an empty stomache I do see results after a few weeks. I have tried it in the evenings and results not as good.

[toooosmall]

When I do my cardio on an empty stomache I do see results after a few weeks. I have tried it in the evenings and results not as good.

thanks dude, I'm actually ready to do my first am empty stomach tomorrow! you helped to confirm this is the thing to do!

[baseline_9]

Drink a whey shake b4 if u want, with water

KEEP CARBS LOW GI after ur cardio unless you want to imidiatley stop the body burning fat, which im sure u dont

[The Titan99]

Drink a whey shake b4 if u want, with water

KEEP CARBS LOW GI after ur cardio unless you want to imidiatley stop the body burning fat, which im sure u dont

That's not a bad idea... I'm gonna try that.

[toooosmall]

cool, my trainer had me eat eggs and oatmeal after that yesterday. i did HIIT road biking for 30. intense!
I'll ask him about the whey. I like that idea too.

[scrunnyronnie]

I defininately gonna try that too.