Do you have a lot of misconceptions about practicing sports on an empty stomach but don’t really know what to believe? This is why we have prepared a short guide for you. Advantages and disadvantages of playing sports on an empty stomach, tips for practicing sports on an empty stomach … You will know everything about it!
Why exercise on an empty stomach: the benefits
We often hear that playing sports on an empty stomach helps you lose weight . While this is not entirely true, there are still many benefits of exercising after a few hours without eating.
Practice sport on an empty stomach to feel lighter
If you are in the habit of eating before your workout, you may feel heavy and feel bloated. Avoid playing sports in full digestion and you may solve this problem. Sport on an empty stomach is often practiced for the sake of comfort, and it is also a very common practice for yoga enthusiasts .
Practice sport on an empty stomach for better fat mobilization
By training on an empty stomach, you train your body to use fat as a source of energy for muscle. It is a good exercise for people who do endurance sports and / or who are preparing for a marathon. If this is your case and you feel capable of it, do not hesitate to run on an empty stomach in the morning !
Exercising on an empty stomach: the risks
It is not suitable for everyone! Especially if you are on a fitness program or if you are weakened. Be sure to seek the advice of a professional before practicing any sporting activity on an empty stomach. In any case, before doing cardio or weight training on an empty stomach , you must be aware of the risks to which you are exposing yourself.
- Hypoglycemia:
If your sugar level is too low, your brain works slower causing the risk of discomfort and great fatigue which will prevent you from continuing your activity. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous and cause unconsciousness, which is why sport on an empty stomach is not always recommended.
- Muscle wasting:
Muscles need a lot of energy and by playing sports on an empty stomach, your body may run out of glucose. To compensate for this, he will go and find it where he can find it and the muscles are part of it.
If your goal is to gain muscle mass , avoid exercise on an empty stomach!
- The risk of injury:
The brain needs energy to function optimally. If you don’t give him what he needs you will probably be less focused and that’s when you risk hurting yourself.
How to prepare before playing sports on an empty stomach?
You still decided to play sports on an empty stomach? Follow these few tips to make your workouts go smoothly.
- Pay attention to your diet : eat a healthy meal but with enough carbohydrate intake the day before to have enough resources for the next day.
- Take the time to wake up : do not leave immediately after waking up. Wait an hour before exercising in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Drink water : It is important to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise to allow your metabolism to function properly.
- Warm up : before any effort, remember to prepare your muscles.
- Do not abuse sport on an empty stomach : do not do it every morning but only from time to time to avoid the inconveniences we have told you about. And above all, if you feel that things are wrong, stop.
- Plan ahead : Eat something to eat or a sweet drink in case of hypoglycemia.
- Eat after your session : Did you just play sports on an empty stomach? Don’t forget your post-workout meal . Without it, you will not be able to recover effectively.
As you can see, it is possible to play sports on an empty stomach and it can even have positive effects on your sports activity. But you still have to be careful because this can have very negative consequences on your health if you do not follow good practices.
The ultimate advice to remember: consult a doctor or seek advice from a sports coach before you start.
