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Let’s talk about breakfast.
Eggs
Avocado Toast
Coffee
Berries
Yogurt
Do I have you drooling yet?
Face it, it’s hard to turn down a good brunch. We need some good fuel to start our day!
But shouldwe be eating first thing in the morning? Is it really the most important meal of the day?
Let’s break down breakfast to understand a little more about it.
The Great Debate
To quote Shakespeare
To fast or not to fast! That is the question!
Well… not really. But you get my point.
But here’s the thing — Most Americans get anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night. During that time until we get breakfast we are fasting. Unless you sleepwalk your way to the freezer for a bowl of ice cream. But otherwise you shouldn’t be consuming any calories.
So the question is notto fast or not to fast
When are you breaking your fast?
THAT is the question.
According to Forbes — Intermittent fasting does show some health benefits, especially for decreasing weight and inflammation, but it’s important to build your schedule around sleeping and waking hours and to make sure you’re getting enough essential nutrients.
So fasting time and when you break your fast comes down to what is best for each individual person and our personal plan for dieting and exercise.
Morning Workouts
We’ve fasted through the night.
What now?
Do we eat and then exercise or do we exercise and then eat?
Again — this comes down to personal preference on how long YOU want to fast for and if you feel that a workout with calories in your system is best or if a fasted workout is best.
You are probably thinking — Well this doesn’t help me at all!
Don’t worry! Here are some thoughts on pre and post breakfast workouts ⇩⇩
Fasting
Pro
First things first — fasted workouts can be a great way to burn calories. Your body will be like — oh! I have no calories from food to burn. But here’s some nice fat to burn though!Which may lead to greater fat loss.
Con
But keep in mind that your body may resort to using muscle as fuel. It’s best to keep sessions to strictly cardio or short high intensity rounds.
Con
You know that woozy feeling when you’re really hungry? Yeah. Keep that in mind too. Working out on an empty stomach may lead to an embarrassing trip to the floor. Eating high quality, nutrient packed foods around fasting times will help with this.
Pro
On the other hand — not eating before a workout may help keep your stomach in line. No one likes to do squats when they are gassy, right?
Pro
Some people have even said they feel more energized on an empty stomach. If you think about Thanksgiving when Uncle Jim eats his fill of turkey and gravy, then unbuckles his belt for a nap on the couch. It’s like that. You may not want to workout after a good fill of food.
Con
But you may feel the opposite! You could feel so depleted of energy that you don’t get a proper workout in and create unnecessary stress in the body.
To Wrap It Up
We’ve seen the benefits and drawbacks of fasted vs non-fasted workouts. Take the time to create a plan that is best for YOU!
No matter when you decide to break your fast and eat — make sure your foods consist of lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Talk to your health coach or consult with an expert if you need additional help creating a personalized plan. Everyone is different — so don’t be afraid to ask!
If you would like to learn more about me, or are interested in Beachbody or Coaching, CLICK HERE to visit my website. CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up for my course, Rise & Shine.
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