Hi guys,

I'm talking about fasted state cardio, in the morning. I'm intending to do (for fat loss) 45 mins of medium intensity cardio - but I'm not sure what the most effective meal is to eat afterwards.

So, I've been reading a bit, and there are two schools of thought from what I see:

- eat protien and fat (no carbs) in the first meal of the morning. This is because you are still burning fat after the workout, and if you have carbs, your body releases insulin, stopping the fat burning process.

- eat carbs, cos your body needs it at this point.

So what works best, and what do you guys do?

this has been highly debated....its all personal preference..and some peoples bodies react differently...

mer personally...i pass on the carbs after my cardio

replinishing carbs is essential post-workout. eat about 200-400 calories of carbs like a banana, a sports drink, and a sports bar.

replinishing carbs is essential post-workout. eat about 200-400 calories of carbs like a banana, a sports drink, and a sports bar.
In my opinion fasted LISS or medium intensity cardio is not a workout where you would need to replinish glycogen stores and eat or drink the above nutrition. You have not broken any muscles down in order for you to consider carbs to begin the rebuilding process.

Its purpose is to get your body burning fat as fuel so afterwards I personally have a P/F meal and control my insulin levels throughout the rest of the day until I actually do a workout.

I usually have a couple eggs, whey and flax..
then 2 hours later oatmeal and whey shake

In my opinion fasted LISS or medium intensity cardio is not a workout where you would need to replinish glycogen stores and eat or drink the above nutrition.

I agree.

In my opinion, there are different results with this. On one hand, there's the eat fats and protein but avoid carbs to keep lipolysis going.

On the otherhand, there's the theory that if you eat protein or fats, and the exercise is low-intensity, the body will use the fats/protein to re-fuel itself thus blunting lipolysis anyways.

So, it's all preference, or I could be wrong on both accounts. These are just things I've read from different sources.

Personally, I always eat a carb meal at breakfast, regardless of whether or not I'm doing cardio that particular morning. I can't wake up without a cup of coffee and a cigarette, and my brain continues to sleep in until it gets some carbs. :sleep:

Fasted LISS is also a highly controversial subject, and I figure I'm playing it safe(r) by providing my body with some glucose as soon as possible. The insulin response to this meal will also help blunt the release of cortisol and glucagon, both of which are very catabolic and probably released in even greater quantities during fasted exercise.

By "playing it safe," I mean minimizing the possibility of muscle loss. There are basically two schools of thought: on one side of the fence, you have those who would argue that, in the absence of plentiful resources for the glycolytic pathway, the body will oxidize fat tissue for energy. Makes sense, right?

Not according to the seemingly more scientifically-minded opponents of fasted cardio, who hypothesize that the body is just as likely to oxidize amino acids for energy as it is to use fat. According to these folks, fasted cardio is invariably going to cause significant loss of lean mass.

I don't know exactly which side of the fence I'm on, and the truth of the matter is that no one really knows for sure whether or not the human body is more likely to use fat or muscle protein for energy in a fasted state. People can theorize all they like, but the human body is still largely a mystery to us, and personally, I think it's pretty arrogant of anyone to claim to have the one right answer.

It makes more sense to me that the body would take the more efficient path of least resistance (amino acid oxidation is very complex and produces less net ATP), but I'm still worried enough about muscle loss that I go ahead and consume carbs after my morning cardio. All I can suggest is that you make an educated guess and see what works for you.

i eat my normal breakfast
eggs, wholemeal bread, chickenbreast or tuna or beef..

replinishing carbs is essential post-workout. eat about 200-400 calories of carbs like a banana, a sports drink, and a sports bar.
i am of the opinion that you need a small of amount of high gi carbs after fasted cardio. but if you don't do fasted cardio take the low gi route before and hit your body with protein etc... pwo

By "playing it safe," I mean minimizing the possibility of muscle loss. There are basically two schools of thought: on one side of the fence, you have those who would argue that, in the absence of plentiful resources for the glycolytic pathway, the body will oxidize fat tissue for energy. Makes sense, right?

Not according to the seemingly more scientifically-minded opponents of fasted cardio, who hypothesize that the body is just as likely to oxidize amino acids for energy as it is to use fat. According to these folks, fasted cardio is invariably going to cause significant loss of lean mass.


of course you could cover that angle by taking a bcaa supplement pre and pwo:confused: