Day 10 Shocking! Exercise Right After Eating Ain’t That Bad for Health

Have you made eating in a relaxed mode your habit? I know, the beginning is always difficult....But DO IT TODAY if you still haven't done it!

Let me get you some mind-blowing facts to enlighten you a bit today – Doing exercise after eating isn't necessarily bad for your health!

Things to consider for your pre-workout meal

Should you eat before working out^[1] or should you workout on an empty stomach? The answer to this question is a firm and definitive—maybe.

Answering this question depends heavily on the answers to a host of other important questions such as: how long before working out will you eat? What will you eat? What type of exercise or activity will you be doing (static cardio, weight training, yoga, high interval intensity training (HIIT)), but the most important question is—which do you prefer? The choice of whether or not to have a pre-workout meal, when to eat it and what it should consist of varies from person to person. Here are a few things to consider:

• Food is fuel. Normally, the body will use all available fuel sources—including carbohydrates, protein, and fat—during exercise. The primary type of fuel being used depends on the type, intensity and duration of exercise^[2]. Your body needs fuel to perform. Food provides energy. If you skip eating, you deprive your body of the energy it may need to work at the level of intensity you desire.

• When you eat is important. Experts disagree on when you should eat, some say to eat a small meal 45 minutes to an hour before exercising^[3]. While others like Dr. Nancy Cohen, from the University of Massachusetts, say that in general, you want to eat a low fat, high carb and protein-rich meal three to four hours before you exercise. Carbohydrates supply your body with the glycogen it needs for exercise. If you skimp on carbs, your muscles will sputter when it's time to perform^[4].

• What you eat is critical. Complex carbohydrates such as: beans, lentils, whole grains and starchy vegetables are the way to go, as they provide exercise fuel plus nutrients and fiber. Stay away from refined or simple carbohydrates such as: white bread, cookies, soft drinks, and processed pre-packaged foods.

How much food should you eat before doing exercise?

Want to enjoy a full meal and then exercise? The National Obesity Foundation advises you not to do so because it takes at least 3 hours for your stomach to digest a big meal. Exercising on a full stomach can probably cause stomachache and cramps, and even nausea and diarrhea. So if you're planning to exercise within an hour, a small snack will do!

Final Word:

You're completing the last day of the program – that's a whole lot of hard work and it's not something many people can say they've done. Time to bask in the glory of your awesomeness. You totally deserve it!