Breakfast before or after morning cardio?

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DiscusJessie

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I've heard it both ways that you should eat before breakfast before cardio, and from other people it's better to eat afterwards. My main focus is on weight training. I'm a thrower on my track and field team so I need to be strong. I also find out that the way I have throws practice and weight lifting scheduled in the afternoon it's best to do my cardio around 6:00 am to give myself proper recovery time. I don't need to lose much fat but I'm trying to tone up. Plus I find morning cardio helps me get going for the day and I've noticed I'm much more focused and relaxed throughout the day. I usually do a 30 minute interval program on the eliptical or stairstepper and then 25 minutes walking on an inclined treadmill switching between ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 mph.

I'm under the impression it's best to eat something before cardio. Not a lot because that could make someone sick. I'm thinking maybe a small bowl of cereal or oatmeal before I head to the gym. Then when I get back have some more cereal or oatmeal and a piece of fruit such as a banana. I also have protein powder with 24g protein, 7g of carbs and 140 calories that I mix with water.

I also have wheat bread, peanut butter, eggs and those Nature Valley granola bars I could use to make my pre workout/after workout breakfast. What would you recommend? Thanks!
 
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Personally I wouldn't do faster cardio. There isn't much research to support that doing it fasting is better, if you want to lose fat, the easiest way is to be in a calorie deficit (which could hurt you because of your strength goals). Some people swear by fasted cardio, though. If you want to lose some fat but stay strong for throwing, I'd try to maintain my weight for a little while, that should give you enough energy to keep getting stronger while taking care of the fat at the same time. It might not be as quick, but your strength won't suffer as much as if you did an all out cutting phase.
 
This question comes up often. As Karky mentioned, the research is clear that fasted cardio is not effective. There is even a word for doing cardio with low blood sugar: bonking.
 
Never heard "bonking" haha, but they're both right. Conflicted studies. Pick one that works for you and stick with it. I have done tons of fasted cardio in my day with no problem, but it has to be what works for you.

That being said, I would not recommend anything too intense in a fasted state. You probably wouldn't lift in a fasted state, although I will mention the evidence there is conflicting too, so don't do any other anaerobic training (ex: HIIT) that way either.
 
I *use* to go for my run and eat after, just because no matter how much time I ate before a run it seemed I would feel ill from it. But now, I *have* to eat before I incline, and I think that in many ways I am in much better shape than I was when I didn't eat.

I think it makes a difference and it is better to get something into your body before you exercise.
 
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