It’s no secret that if you’re looking to see better results at the gym, it helps to pay attention to your nutrition. Eating your veggies, as well as consuming lots of protein and healthy fats can really amp up your fitness gains.
But, what if the secret to increased fat loss had more to do with what you didn’t eat as opposed to what you did?
For years, fitness pros have been encouraging gym goers to perform morning workouts on an empty stomach in an effort to increase fat burning. It’s called “fasted exercise”, and it’s been around since the early days of bodybuilding. (hello, Arnold!)
And while it sounds great to jump out of bed, crank out a heart-pumping workout, then zip up your skinny jeans with ease, there are a few things to consider before you start this morning practice.
Everyone’s body is unique and responds differently to both exercise and nutrition. So, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of fasted exercise and determine what the best course of action is for you.
But first, let’s look at the science behind fasted exercise, specifically for fat burning, and how it actually works.
THE SCIENCE OF FAT BURNING
When we exercise, or even when we go about our daily activities, our body’s first stop for energy is our stored carbohydrates – also known as glycogen.
When we fast overnight (during sleep) and skip the pre-workout breakfast, we minimize the availability of these carbohydrate stores, forcing our body to look for another source of energy. [1].
So what’s the second best source of energy your body is going to turn to? You guessed it… FAT!
But, Does Fasted Exercise Actually Work To Burn Fat?
According to the research, YES!
A 2016 study compared the fat burning effects of fasted versus “fed” aerobic exercise to see if the fat burning hype measured up.
273 participants were put through 120 minutes of exercise — with one group fasting and the other group eating a pre-workout meal prior to exercise.
After significant testing, the researchers found that the fasted exercises did indeed burn a significantly higher level of fat than those who ate before their workout. [2]
Now while this sounds freaking amazing in theory, fasted exercise does come with a few pitfalls to consider before you take the leap.
The Drawbacks of Fasted Exercise
DECREASED PERFORMANCE…
Exercising on an empty stomach can have a major impact on your workout performance as well as energy levels, so it may not be the right choice for all those wanting to boost their fat-burning efforts. [3]
And while the decrease in performance may not be an issue to the average gym goer, it can be a huge deal breaker for an elite competitive athlete who needs every advantage they can get.
A 2018 study found that those who ate before a workout significantly enhanced prolonged aerobic performance versus those who fasted. [4]
Bottom line? It’s not the best practice for endurance athletes, especially competitive ones.
Nutrition experts commonly suggest fueling up with a small pre-exercise snack that combines protein and carbohydrates. Something as simple as half a banana with a spoonful of peanut butter, or a hard-boiled egg contains the perfect balance to boost your energy for your next sweat session. [3]
Need something a bit lighter to get you moving in the morning? Check out the recipe below for a nutrient-packed Pre-Workout Energy Boosting Drink.
YOU MAY LOSE MUSCLE… ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE 50 PLUS!
One of the other major downfalls to fasted exercise is the danger of losing hard-earned muscle mass. And while you may be thinking, “that’s great, I’ll lose weight!”, you may want to think again.
Muscle mass is metabolically active tissue, meaning it helps your body burn more calories at rest. In addition to this, muscle makes us stronger, injury proof and gives us that much sought after ab + bicep definition. The bottom line here is that we want to preserve every last ounce of it!
One study found that 10% of the fuel burned during fasted cardio came from protein stores. This means that in addition to burning extra fat, you may be at risk of losing your precious muscle mass. And since reducing muscle mass decreases metabolism, you may be no further ahead on the quest for fat loss, after all, is said and done. [1]
This finding is a particular concern for people over the age of 50 who are at higher risk of losing muscle due to the natural aging process.
For folks over 50, experts recommend eating pre-workout and focusing on maintaining muscle mass through regular strength training sessions. [5]
Who Is Fasted Exercise For?
As with anything, the practice of fasted exercise is not one size fits all. The way you train and eat is entirely based on your goals and will be different for everyone.
But for those looking to gain or maintain muscle mass or with blood sugar related issues like diabetes or hypoglycemia, fasted exercise is not likely going to be the right fit.
However, if you’re one of many people who feel nauseous if you eat before a workout, or are looking to drop a few pounds, you may want to give it a go.
But, if you do try fasted exercise and you just can’t seem to make it through your workout, listen to your body, grab a quick pre-workout bite the next time around.
As always, it’s best to check with your health care provider before making any significant changes to diet and exercise. And when it doubt, listen to how your body feels and responds to your nutrition and training.
For a simple and delicious way to fuel your next gym session, check out this nutrient-dense, flavour-packed Pre-Workout “Can’t Beet It” Energy Boost recipe.
Did you know that beets are loaded with antioxidants and nitrates that convert to nitric oxide in the body? The increase in nitric oxide gives your brain a quick boost and amps up your athletic performance. [6]
Drink up and watch your fitness gains jump!
Pre-Workout “Can’t Beet It” Energy Boost
Ingredients:
1 beetroot, peeled (look for conveniently pre-peeled beets in the produce section to save time!)
1 inch piece ginger root, peeled
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced
1 English cucumber (do not peel)
Preparation
Wash produce well, then peel the beets and ginger. Slice and core the apple.
Place ingredients into a high-powered juicer one at a time, turning them slowly to extract all the juice.
Remove the pulp from the juicer and reserve.
Pour, serve and enjoy this light and refreshing workout-boosting elixir!
NUTRI-PRO TIP: Save the pulp and add it to smoothies (or even popsicles) to amp up the nutrients, flavour and fibre.
NO JUICER OPTION: if you don’t have a juicer, place all ingredients in a high-powered blender with enough filtered water to cover. Blend on high until desired consistency reached. This will change the texture and nutrient profile (tons of fiber!) but will be equally, if not more, nutritious than the juiced version.