Running on an empty stomach is not only great for the body and soul, but it is also used by many as a running training medium. It should therefore not be practiced exclusively. Running on an empty stomach not only serves to relax but provides a new training stimulus and brings variety into your everyday training.
This increases muscle loss and weakness. Your cortisol levels are highest in the early morning. Furthermore, a 2015 study found that morning exercise after overnight fasting raises cortisol levels. This means running on an empty stomach, which is usually done in the morning, could negatively affect your muscles.
Working out on an empty stomach won't hurt you—and it may actually help, depending on your goal. But first, the downsides. Exercising before eating comes with the risk of “bonking”—the actual sports term for feeling lethargic or light-headed due to low blood sugar.
While there's some research to support working out on an empty stomach, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's ideal. When you exercise on an empty stomach, you may burn valuable energy sources and have less stamina. Low blood sugar levels may also leave you feeling lightheaded, nauseous, or shaky.
Going for a run in the early morning hours is a great way to create a positive routine. It provides a ton of health benefits, but are you fueling your body the right way for your workout? Here are some things to know before you head out the door.
Running in the morning is a great way to burn fat. Running in the morning on an empty stomach can be an integral part of your weight loss exercise plan. While there is some debate about the benefits of exercising on an empty stomach, it may help increase your fat burn.
Similar research has shown that although more fat calories may be burned by exercising on an empty stomach, the total amount of calories burned is comparable to the same workout after eating a light snack.
“Working out on an empty stomach leads to muscle loss”
But don't worry, your muscles won't disappear right away. It is often wrongly assumed that without food intake, the body lacks the necessary carbohydrates and glucose (sugar) for a training session in the morning.
If you've just finished exercising on an empty stomach, it doesn't make any difference whether you eat immediately or decide to wait a few hours. Your body will still absorb nutrients the same way, and there won't be any muscle loss.
The Benefits (According to Science!)
Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., your body temperature is at its highest. This may mean you'll be exercising during the window of time your body is most ready, potentially making it the most effective time of day to work out.
There's no scientific reason you should skip out on your workouts during your period. In fact, there's evidence that exercise can be helpful during this time. The bottom line is this: Continue with exercise, but back off on the intensity, especially if you're feeling fatigued.
Early morning is a good time if you want to build your muscles. Testosterone, the hormone for muscle growth, peaks between 5:30 and 8 am.
The more you run, the better your aerobic base gets. And when you build a large aerobic base, you improve your capacity to endure for longer and farther before you start to fatigue. Running faster means, you are building your stamina to be able to run at faster paces. Stamina comes from 1.
While these benefits can be achieved by a minimal amount of daily running, a group of Dutch researchers recommends running 2.5 hours per week, or 30 minutes, five days a week to enjoy maximum longevity benefits.
Morning exercise is a great way to start your day. To get the most out of your morning exercise, set your alarm clock one hour earlier than your normal wake-up time.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Be well fueled going into a workout. Studies suggest that eating or drinking carbohydrates before exercise can improve workout performance and may allow you to work out for a longer time or at a higher intensity. If you don't eat, you might feel sluggish or lightheaded when you exercise.
According to a chart from the American Council on Exercise, a 120-pound person burns about 11.4 calories per minute while running. So if that person runs a 10-minute mile, they'll burn 114 calories. If that person weighed 180 pounds, the calorie burn goes up to 17 calories per minute.
If you know anything about your biological clock, it's probably that your cortisol levels are higher early in the day. It's what helps your body wake up and feel alert. Neuroscientist Allison Brager, PhD, told the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) that the morning a great time to do your cardio.
Drink water before, during, and after a run. Drinking before, during, and after training is just as important as drinking during the rest of the day. Aim for 16 ounces (2 cups) of water at about two hours before you run. Pair this with a snack or meal.
To Lose Fat: Consider Three Miles A Day
If you've been wondering, “how many miles should I run a day to lose body fat?”, consider the three miles a day rule. The reason three miles is so popular is that it's challenging yet doable for most people.
Most experts agree that beginners should plan to run three to four days per week with at least one day of complete rest and optional cross-training on the other days. The duration of your initial run/walk sessions should be 20-30 minutes, increasing the percentage of time spent running in subsequent workouts.
Running is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss. It burns a lot of calories, may help you continue to burn calories long after a workout, may help suppress appetite and targets harmful belly fat.
Running 5K every day will result in a high number of calories burned per week. If a 160-pound person burns about 394 calories every 5K run and runs seven days per week, they'll burn a total of 2,758 calories every week. This means they'll reach 3,500 calories and thus lose a pound of fat every nine days.