Fasted workouts: do they burn more fat? The claim is out there - that exercising on an empty stomach will help shed those extra pounds faster than a meal before hitting the gym.
But does it really pay off when it comes to burning fat, or are we just talking about improving our overall fitness routine? According to Javier Gonzalez, a nutrition and metabolism expert at the University of Bath, there's some truth to the idea that exercising fasted can kickstart the fat-burning process.
"When you exercise, your body is always burning a mix of fuels - mainly carbohydrates and fat," he explains. "If you've fasted overnight, you'll generally burn more fat and less carbohydrate than if you'd eaten breakfast, especially one high in carbs."
However, that doesn't mean fasted workouts are the secret to shedding pounds quickly. To lose weight, you need to be in an energy deficit - burning more calories than you consume.
In terms of overall metabolic health, research suggests training in a fasted state can have some benefits. "Fasted training seems to encourage muscles to move glucose out of the bloodstream," Gonzalez notes. "So it can improve blood sugar control, especially after meals."
But these benefits are largely related to endurance exercise like jogging or cycling, not high-intensity activities like sprint intervals.
The truth is, fasted workouts aren't going to give you a magic solution for weight loss - but they might be worth trying as part of your fitness routine. The key is to start small and listen to your body. If you feel light-headed or dizzy, it's time to refuel and take a break.
Gonzalez advises aiming for 15-20 minutes of fasted exercise to begin with, and gradually increasing the duration over time. "The most important thing is to do the exercise," he says.
But does it really pay off when it comes to burning fat, or are we just talking about improving our overall fitness routine? According to Javier Gonzalez, a nutrition and metabolism expert at the University of Bath, there's some truth to the idea that exercising fasted can kickstart the fat-burning process.
"When you exercise, your body is always burning a mix of fuels - mainly carbohydrates and fat," he explains. "If you've fasted overnight, you'll generally burn more fat and less carbohydrate than if you'd eaten breakfast, especially one high in carbs."
However, that doesn't mean fasted workouts are the secret to shedding pounds quickly. To lose weight, you need to be in an energy deficit - burning more calories than you consume.
In terms of overall metabolic health, research suggests training in a fasted state can have some benefits. "Fasted training seems to encourage muscles to move glucose out of the bloodstream," Gonzalez notes. "So it can improve blood sugar control, especially after meals."
But these benefits are largely related to endurance exercise like jogging or cycling, not high-intensity activities like sprint intervals.
The truth is, fasted workouts aren't going to give you a magic solution for weight loss - but they might be worth trying as part of your fitness routine. The key is to start small and listen to your body. If you feel light-headed or dizzy, it's time to refuel and take a break.
Gonzalez advises aiming for 15-20 minutes of fasted exercise to begin with, and gradually increasing the duration over time. "The most important thing is to do the exercise," he says.
i mean, apparently exercising on an empty stomach can help burn more fat but it's not like a magic solution for weight loss 
u still need to be in an energy deficit n stuff. but i think it's cool that research says it can improve blood sugar control especially after meals 
. anyway, if u wanna try fasted workouts just start with 15-20 mins n see how ur body reacts 
but seriously though, i think its cool that scientists are trying to figure out if eating nothing before gym makes u burn more fat lol imagine walking into gym at 4am with no breakfast, "hey doc, can u still lift weights?" 
Gonzalez says fasted training has benefits for endurance exercise, which is kinda true but what about high-intensity workouts? i mean, dont get me wrong, if u can do fasted workout and not pass out its pretty impressive 
i think its more about how it can improve ur overall fitness routine n help w/ endurance exercise 
starting w/ 15-20 mins of fasting exercise n listenin to ur body sounds like a good plan 2 me 
. You need to balance it out with a healthy diet and regular eating schedule.
.
But yeah, I definitely felt lightheaded at first, which made me wanna grab a snack 
. So maybe it's worth trying out for like 15-20 minutes to start, and see how your body reacts?
. That's so important, especially when it comes to managing blood sugar control 
but this whole fasted workout thing has got me intrigued 
. It's all about balance, right? 
i mean, i'm all for a good workout, but don't think this means you can eat a whole pizza before hitting the gym and still call yourself a fitness enthusiast... 
. I mean, sure, it might burn some fat, but let's be real, if you're not burning more calories than you eat, you're just gonna end up back where you started 
. I mean, have you ever done a HIIT session on an empty stomach? No thanks 
.
.
. But let's be clear: it's not about getting that lean, mean fat-burning machine physique overnight 
. It's about making sustainable lifestyle changes that incorporate regular exercise, balanced eating, and (dare I say it?) patience 
.
. If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, take a break and refuel - don't be afraid to prioritize your health over some perceived "fat-burning" benefits 
. start w/ short sessions of 15-20 mins & listen 2 ur body, it's all about balance 
But if you wanna mix things up and boost your endurance, go for it! 15-20 min of fasted exercise is a good starting point 
. Just don't expect it to be a quick fix... your body's got its own rhythm 
I'm like totally intrigued by this fasted workout trend 
my friend tried it and she literally almost passed out after like 5 minutes of running 
don't be afraid to refuel if u feel dizzy or anything 
for me, I'd rather have a quick snack before my workout than go fasted 
. I think its more about listening to our body and not pushing ourselves too hard. Plus, if we dont eat before gym, we might feel weak and struggle during workout 
. 15-20 minutes sounds like a good starting point. Don't push yourself too hard, especially if you're new to it