OK, one quick question about my workout routine -- I do my workout BEFORE I take my breakfast... is this all right? I work at night so when I get home in the morning, I pop in my Tae Bo video and then follow that up with the Total Gym workout AND THEN eat my breakfast.

In case you all are wondering, I can't squeeze in my workout at any other time of the day because I'm mostly asleep during the morning, do everything else in the afternoon (like shopping, etc.) and prepare for work at night.

Will it be all right if I just exercise like an hour or two after my breakfast or doing it before is not that big of a deal at all?

Any info/insight from you guys would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My personal preference is to do a workout after eating breakfast. The idea behind this is that if you exercise in a fasted state (more than 6 hours since you ate), your body chemistry will make it so you burn muscle for food instead of fat. This is a bad idea because it makes it that much harder to build muscle and keep weight/fat off. If you can, eat something 30 minutes before your workout - even if it is something simple like a granola bar and a glass of juice or milk. I bet you will see better results than what you get now!

I routinely workout before breakfast in the morning with good results. Another theory is that your body is more likely to burn more stored fat for energy when you are in a "fasted" state. The theory is that during our hunter/gatherer days the human body evolved to store fat during times of plenty and then burn that fat when food was scarce (fasting). I think it is something you need to try different ways to see what seems to work best for you.

I agree that the body does burn that stored fat with CERTAIN exersizes. I do not think it makes much sense to do any kind of weight lifting before eating. Your body will have more energy/strength when you have food in your stomache. You will be able to lift more if you eat, which lead to more strength, to more muscle, and muscle means more and quicker fat loss. I do not agree with weightlifting on an empty stomache, even if you are trying to lose weight. I DO, however, agree with fasting before cardiovascular workouts if you are trying to lose weight. I do suggest, however, that if you are trying to gain muscle while losing fat that you consume a protein shake before and after that cardio workout to prevent muscle loss.
scott

Great replies! Thanks guys!!!

I really am not trying to lose any weight because I +++am+++ skinny. To be honest, I am what you would call a skinny fat guy. Ever since I accepted that night job (which pays better), I haven’t been doing anything else for the last year or so exercise-wise. And about a couple of months ago, I noticed I have a gut. Now, for a guy like me who is 5’7” and weighs 135 lbs., that would make me look like one of those unfortunate malnourished kids on Time Magazine! I mean, if I bend/stoop down a little, you would think that I am 5 months pregnant!

So I decided to get back into shape and said I would alternate between cardio workout and strength training. I do the basic Tae Bo exercise every Monday, Friday and sometimes Saturday and the Total Gym workout with the 8 Minute Tae Bo exercise every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I only have been following this routine for about a week and a half now.

I was wondering if I would get better results doing my workout BEFORE eating or after. By the way, I +++do+++ eat a somewhat heavy meal for breakfast. OR would it be better if I just take (my somewhat heavy) breakfast first AND THEN do my workout after about two hours (would the food be digested after just two hours?)?

I don’t know. You guys seem to really know a LOT about fitness and exercising. Are you all personal trainers or just fitness buffs?

Again guys, thanks for all the help!

How about this? If you are eating a heavy breakfast, break that up! Eat half of it prior to your workout (no need to wait 2 hours - 30 minutes is plenty), and the other half of it after your workout! This will be a step towards getting your total calories in 4 to 6 meals in a day instead of the typical 2 or 3 and would be an improvement right there! One other thing, try to get your calories in a 60/20/20 to 40/40/20 blend of carbs/protein/fat - so at least 60% carbs/20% protein/less than 20% fat.