Cardio on an empty stomach

**bcap** · 01-24-2007, 01:27 PM

Hello everyone,

I am the originator of the 4 month transformation (a few posts up or down from this one) and the 12 week transformation (about 8 months ago).

I have a question regarding cardio on an empty stomach + ECA.

If I wake up at, say, 6:45, get some things together for work, take my ECA at 7:10 and drive to work (takes about 25 minutes), and do cardio at 7:45ish, is this bad?

I know it is important to have a big breakfast to kick start your metabolism, but this goes against the fact that morning cardio on an empty stomach is fantastic for you.

About 20 minutes after I do 30 minutes of hard cardio on the ellyptical, I have a nice big breakfast (oatmeal and all bran). Am I doing more harm by not eating for about an hour and a half being awake than I am doing good by doing cardio with ECA on an empty stomach?

Just to recap/clarify:

6:45 Wake Up
7:10 Take ECA
7:45 Cardio on ellyptical for 30 minutes
8:30 Meal 1

Thanks, Any comments are appreciated.

Bryan

**bcap** · 01-24-2007, 09:20 PM

Anyone?

**UpstateTank** · 01-24-2007, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by bcap

Hello everyone,

I am the originator of the 4 month transformation (a few posts up or down from this one) and the 12 week transformation (about 8 months ago).

I have a question regarding cardio on an empty stomach + ECA.

If I wake up at, say, 6:45, get some things together for work, take my ECA at 7:10 and drive to work (takes about 25 minutes), and do cardio at 7:45ish, is this bad?

I know it is important to have a big breakfast to kick start your metabolism, but this goes against the fact that morning cardio on an empty stomach is fantastic for you.

About 20 minutes after I do 30 minutes of hard cardio on the ellyptical, I have a nice big breakfast (oatmeal and all bran). Am I doing more harm by not eating for about an hour and a half being awake than I am doing good by doing cardio with ECA on an empty stomach?

Just to recap/clarify:

6:45 Wake Up
7:10 Take ECA
7:45 Cardio on ellyptical for 30 minutes
8:30 Meal 1

Thanks, Any comments are appreciated.

Bryan

This is basically the exact same thing im doing right now bryan, except ill usually take my eca right upon waking up, then ill usually wait 15-20min to go to cardio on an empty stomach

You're good to go!

**bcap** · 01-24-2007, 10:12 PM

Right but I am taking ECA about 30 mins before cardio ...

The only problem I saw was the fact that there is an hour gap between when I wake up and when i start cardio, is this bad for my metabolism?

**StoneGRMI** · 01-24-2007, 10:26 PM

What time is your last meal before bed?

**IronAdam** · 01-24-2007, 10:41 PM

How about compromising with a serving of whey + eca upon waking, then cardio an hour later, followed by a good meal?

**bcap** · 01-24-2007, 10:53 PM

See that is possible, but, I don't want to effect the morning cardio ... that'll just burn the why instead of fat ...

StoneGRMI, last meal befor med is usually around 11ish

**StoneGRMI** · 01-24-2007, 11:02 PM

I think you're fine without having anything when you wake up. It's almost 9 hours which is a long time but I think it's doable. If you continue to progress, don't worry about it. If not, you might have to wake up earlier and eat to give yourself 2-3 hours after eating before doing cardio. I sometimes sleep for 10 hours and do my cardio when I wake up and I haven't suffered any cutting setbacks. Just use a little trial and error on yourself.

**bcap** · 01-24-2007, 11:22 PM

Sounds good. I think at this point, that little bit of difference it is going to make by not eating isn't going to be substantial.

**UpstateTank** · 01-24-2007, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by bcap

Right but I am taking ECA about 30 mins before cardio ...

The only problem I saw was the fact that there is an hour gap between when I wake up and when i start cardio, is this bad for my metabolism?

im not sure if it would be bad for your metabolism, why not just take it right when you wake up?

**IronAdam** · 01-25-2007, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by bcap

See that is possible, but, I don't want to effect the morning cardio ... that'll just burn the why instead of fat ...

StoneGRMI, last meal befor med is usually around 11ish

I wouldn't worry about it affecting your fatloss. Whey is absorbed in about 40 minutes and studies have proven that it can help prevent catabolism without hindering weightloss during AM cardio. I read an article on it in last months issue of MD.

**Columbus** · 01-25-2007, 07:33 AM

U Could Also Do It In The Pm 2 Hours After Pro/fat Meal.........

***perfectbeast2001*** · 01-25-2007, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by IronAdam

I wouldn't worry about it affecting your fatloss. Whey is absorbed in about 40 minutes and studies have proven that it can help prevent catabolism without hindering weightloss during AM cardio. I read an article on it in last months issue of MD.

it is not the absortion speed of the protein that is the problem. it is the fact it will replenish glycogen stores which will be low due to the fast during the night. Once these stores are depleted fat burning is more effective.
If you are really worried about catabolism during morning cardio then take some BCAA powder before and after.

***perfectbeast2001*** · 01-25-2007, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by Columbus

U Could Also Do It In The Pm 2 Hours After Pro/fat Meal.........

again not as effective for the reasons specified in previous post.

**Columbus** · 01-25-2007, 08:45 AM

Absolutely the same results for me.........I get shredded either way, but I'm convinced I lose much less muscle (if any) is I do it in the pm.....

**jman98z24** · 01-25-2007, 12:00 PM

I like to do cardio in the AM on an empty stomach, but I can only manage to do it that way on Sat/Sun. The rest of the week I end up doing it post workout.