The FastDay Forum

[carieoates]

You all know that I am exerciser.
Classes four times a week -mon eve, weds eve, fri morning and sat morning. These are aerobics classes with 25 mins high impact then strength and toning, usually burning about 500-600cals.

I am not bothered one bit (physically) when exercising after a fast day then breaking that fast after the following morning class (eg sat mornings) so why can't I reverse this and eat after an evening class. Is it all in my mind perhaps!

So I am thinking about trying a little experiment this week which is eating a light salad based lunch then having my remaining cals after class. Which will essentially be more salad.

The reason I am putting this out here is to ask these two questions

Will I burn more fat by breaking my fast after the mon and weds eve classes ?

Does anyone else fast all day, exercise then break their fast ?

@carorees I could do with your help here please.

I usually exercise first and then eat. I think of it like this:
- The body doesn't need to eat before exercise, but it certainly helps after.
There are several studies showing there is a "eating window" after exercise where muscle grows more and repairs quicker if you have something shortly after exercise. While this is used by "body builders" and for strength training, I think there is some kind of spill over to other exercise types. Intuitively I'd think you would burn more fat by eating after because your muscles are "ready to input" and will scoop up a greater part of the calories compared to eating before. Maybe it wouldn't burn more fat directly, but it would help your muscles grow with a higher TDEE as a consequence. And because you recover a bit faster you would be more ready for next exercise, burning more calories while doing that. Even if it is a small addition.

I think eating protein after exercise (think it's a half hour window) helps with building muscle.

I often do indoor soccer in the evening of a fast day, but I mostly liquid fast, so don't eat afterwards either. If I do happen to do weights or body strength exercises on a fast day, I will have a bit of protein afterwards.

I am guessing that you do burn more exercising without eating first, going into fat reserves, but my science of why is fuzzy.

[carorees]

Yes, scientific studies have shown that exercising in the fasted state is beneficial for fat burning, expanding glycogen stores and if you eat/drink a protein rich food afterwards it helps muscle growth.

I eat after too. When low carb though, I have a bulletproof coffee before I work out. The fat gives me a better workout but I'm still in ketosis. Protein after exercising.

Isn't your metabolism a lot faster after exercising...hence the fat burning? I guess if you eat AFTER exercise, you should, in theory burn off the calories you've just eaten more quickly? Does that make sense? Anyway, I've always eaten after exercise.

Bean

[carieoates]

Thanks so much for your thoughts and advice everyone.
I'm not bothered about building muscles as I have them already but just want to "uncover" them by shifted more fat.
So I have decide to try and go without any chewable food until after my class in the evening, I will make some veg soup to have at lunchtimes. Then I will have some fish or chicken with salad or veg when I get home. This is going to be a nightmare logistically as my kids and I ate at about 6, so the kitchen will seem to be open all evening.

I just need to tell my brain that I can go without much food all day then exercise without any repercussions.
Yes I also knew about fat burning continuing after exercise.

Will let you know how I get on this week.

Carieoates, dieting always causes you to lose some muscle though, so it's good to replace that and also to repair damage. You need protein for this.

When I exercise on fast days I try to time it before my main meal in case the workout makes me hungry.

[carieoates]

Yes @Maryann I know what you're saying, there are advantages to eating before and indeed after.
I'm looking for the one which helps me dissolve away the fat on my muscles. Being a keen sportie as a teenager, I have big thighs and calves. Tum is fairly flat. Therefore I'm pretty toned.

Just fed up with my body hanging onto the weight.
Don't get me wrong physically I feel great, but those wicked numbers keep sitting there laughing at me in the background.
I will have to wait till 8 pm for my first chew tomorrow, will see how I go.

If you figure out the secret let me know! Sounds like we have a similar build.

[carieoates]

So this is how it went on my first fast with a very small lunch then exercise before my main meal.

I went to class on two mini sausage rolls. when I got home I couldn't stomach my salmon. So I had poached eggs on a slice of toast.
Got another class tonight, will have my salmon before.
Ha that's my ready meal. Ready to go.

Let's see how I weigh in on Saturday morning.