will fat burning be the same on an empty stomach, compared to a full stomach?

[LeeJunFan]

If I want to burn fat, I will do a low-moderate intensity cardio, like walking but does it matter if I have ate something or have an empty stomach?

 

[tatertoos]

This is a debatable topic, but from experience, doing lower intensity cardio for longer durations (65-75% MHR) seems to be more effective on an empty stomach. The science behind it is that with no energy source available, your body will tap into fat stores to energize your cardio workout.

 

[~SC~]

Precisely!

~SC~
CEO
www.gotswole.com

 

[JKurz1]

what's empty? 2-3 hours?

 

[tatertoos]

Ideally, empty is right when you wake up. That's like a 6-8hr fast where you can be certain that you have no food energy source available.

However, depending on your last meal, 3hr should be sufficient...

 

[I-Want-To-Be-Fit]

Workin out on an empty stomach can encourage, eating more. Although u do lose weight more faster.

 

[~SC~]

Bro, where do you come up w/this crazy shit?

You've got to give a setting in which these "theories" hold true, not just throw them out as a one for all fit.


~SC~
CEO
www.gotswole.com

 

[BOOEY]

The science behind it is that with no energy source available, your body will tap into fat stores to energize your cardio workout.

Yeah, but won't you also be burning muscle?

 

[tatertoos]

Only if you go anaerobic in your training, which, for most would be training at an intensity above 75% max heart rate. When you keep it below that, you tend to burn body fat for fuel.

 

[sirbadass]

food gets burned by metabolically active cells which possess mitochondria (which turn food into ATP). under normal conditions, they work on glucose. when glucose shortage occurs (after waking up for example), glucose will be spared for the brain. mitochondria must adapt to burning fat for energy. and since the main users of energy are the liver and muscles, wouldn't it make sense to train at maxiumum intensity in the morning before eating (for burning fat, that is)?

 

[faller]

Seems like if you have decent glycogen stores, you will be burning that regardless of what is in your digestive system. Seems that if you don't have decent glycogen stores, you will burn a lot of muscle! Personally, I say keep yourself well-fed, it's the overall calories balance you should be concerned with.

 

[sirbadass]

faller, what exactly do you mean by decent glycogen stores? are you referring to the amount of glucose in the blood? or are you referring to body fat?

 

[faller]

Your body stores carbs as glycogen, you have some in your muscles and a lot in your liver. If you eat no carbs at all, your glycogen stores will last *around* 24 hours. As sugar in the blood is used up, glycogen is broken down to form glucose (blood sugar) to keep the levels in the blood fairly stable.

 

[sirbadass]

uh... my head is swimming. i need to consult with a dietitian.

thanks again, faller.