3 weeks post op - Return to the gym for cardio only

[Lillie24 2]

Well I have been doing some reading and everything I read says that cardio in the morning is best for burning the most fat since it is before you have eaten anything and have fasted with no carbs all night long.

My issue is that I have sever Hypothyroidism and mornings are very hard for me.

Has anyone else heard that doing cardio in the morning is the best?

[CraftyChristie 62]

I have heard this, but, you don't have to do it before you eat anything. Eat something really low carb and the Protein will help boost your energy. I exercise in the morning not because of these reasons but because if i don't, it's way too easy for something to come up during the day and keep my from getting in my workout. The weather turns to rainy or too hot, someone invites me somewhere, I lose energy, whatever it may be.

That being said if it's impossible for you to get energy for a morning workout, try doing workouts when you do have the most energy. On the small amounts we are eating, the workout is going to help you no matter what!

[ADS 0]

Actually, the idea you should exercise in the morning before you eat is a commonly held misconception. It is based on the theory that if you don't have food in your stomach then your glycogen supply will be depleted overnight, which enables the body to use fat faster and more efficiently during your workout.

In reality, you need to eat before exercise, especially if you exercise in the morning. The simplified explanation (i.e., the explanation without all of the medical jargon) is that the body needs some sugar (read = carbohydrate) to burn fat. Remember that when you wake up in the morning you have been "fasting" for several hours while you are asleep, so your body has not been replenishing any of the sugars (glycogen/glucose) that it needs for fuel. If sugar is too low, the body does not tap fat stores to fuel itself through the workout, it actually taps Protein stores (which, as you know, inhibits muscle development). The food you need to eat can be something small - orange juice, yogurt, banana, Protein shake, but it needs to have a little carb and if possible a little Protein.

Research says that (generally) the afternoon is the best time to exercise. Studies show that strength and endurance are better in the afternoon and injuries are less likely in the afternoon. A lot of people suggest morning exercise because studies find that people are more consistent.

So, finally, to answer your question, you can exercise later in the day if that is a time that is better for you but you should also make sure that you pick a time that you can be consistent. Sorry, this was the very long answer to your question.

Edited June 24, 2010 by ADS

[zephra 5]

Well I have been doing some reading and everything I read says that cardio in the morning is best for burning the most fat since it is before you have eaten anything and have fasted with no carbs all night long.

My issue is that I have sever Hypothyroidism and mornings are very hard for me.

Has anyone else heard that doing cardio in the morning is the best?

I have been walking in the mornings before I eat but mostly because I need to get it done before it gets too hot here. I notice I run out of energy pretty quick but I am only a few weeks out from surgery.

Curious though, that do you mean by sever hypothyroidism? Are your TSH, T3 and T4 levels in check? I remember my TSH being 86 and I felt like the walking dead. If mine is above 2 it gets hard to function.

[deedee 5]

I don't think it really matters, but I'm definitely not an expert. My husband exercises at the gym at 7 AM each morning. During the weekdays, he goes to Starbucks first and drinks a coffee and has some kind of pastry. If he doesn't eat before hand, he doesn't do as long of a workout and says he feels lightheaded.

I have a 45-70 minute commute in the morning depending on traffic and have to be to work by 7:30 AM, so there is no way for me to exercise in the morning (5 AM comes pretty early as it is) because I don't want to get up earlier. I exercise in the evening and it works out fine for me. Sometimes it gets difficult because my body seems too "hyped" to sleep, but usually it's fine. I know that with light food in me, I feel more able to work out at a higher intensity than without??

I think doing whatever works for you and that you'll be able to stick with is best. Good luck establishing a routine!

What's the Best Time to Exercise?