There are many different approaches to losing weight and getting into better shape; oftentimes the principles underlying such approaches can be opposing and contradictory. Take fasted vs. fed cardio, for example. Which one you choose ultimately depends on your personal goals and preferences.
Energy is a limited resource in your body; learn to use it more efficiently.
You can accomplish your fitness goals using either fasted or fed cardio, but each has its advantages and disadvantages to bear in mind. Read below the pros and cons of each and chose the method that best suits your needs.
Fasted Cardio is a hot new trend in the fitness world.
So, what is fasted cardio? It’s simply doing your exercises before you eat your breakfast. Fasted cardio is when you pop out of bed in the morning and immediately go for a run or hit a cardio machine at the gym before breakfast. The benefit of doing this is that your body will focus on burning the energy (sugars and fats) you have already stored in your body, instead of wasting energy processing the food in your stomach. This increases the efficiency of your workout.
There is a downside to fasted cardio, and it is a major one. Exercising without eating food can be very tough. You literally won’t have as much energy stored in your body as you’d be used to, and the result is that you might feel sick and woozy. You could even injure yourself as a result of not being as nimble and alert. So be careful!
Fed cardio is what you’re probably used to: it’s the oppositte of fasted cardio.
Eating breakfast one hour before your workout will ensure you have the energy needed for an intense workout. Your body needs food for energy, and you need energy for constantly intense workouts. It’s that simple. But please keep in mind that we’re talking about a normal sized breakfast, not a humongous one!
The only disadvantage of fed cardio is that your body will “waste” energy digesting the food in your stomach. But this disadvantage can be overcome by a moderately intense workout, which will burn the deposits of sugar and fat in your body.
As with anything in life, moderation is the key. If abused or used incorrectly, both fasted and fed cardio can be detrimental to your body. It’s important to know your body and heed the signals it’s trying to send you. Your goal should never be fast weight loss because that just isn’t healthy. Patience and consistency are needed in order for you to stay in good shape.
