From the DesMoinesRegister.com
QUESTION: I am a 31-year-old single mom who has been working out since about January, and have lost 20 pounds so far. My question is, do I eat dinner before or after I work out? Being a single mom, we run a tight schedule. I usually work out as soon as I get home from work, and we don't eat dinner until after 7 p.m. I can't decide if I should work out on a full stomach after dinner, or when I get home before we eat, to get the best results. My workouts usually consist or walking, jogging or biking.
MANNI SAYS: Considering your busy schedule, I would stick with working out before dinner. First of all, if you get your workout in right after work, you are less likely to skip it, since you're getting it done before you are home for the evening. Second, I find it to be uncomfortable to try and work out with a full stomach. I would have a small snack before your workout. I find that I can work out longer, and generally perform better, if I have a little something to eat before I work out.
KJ SAYS: There really has been no documented advantages to either eating before or after a workout that I'm aware of. The total calorie deficit from exercise is not affected by the time of day, or by when you eat your meals. When deciding on what time is best for your daily workout, you want to take into consideration when you have the time and energy to exercise. Consistency and convenience are a big part of a successful fitness regimen.
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