One Workout Trick That's Proven to Double Your Fat Burn, Says Study

[Michie]

Scientists reveal why you should consider working out on an empty stomach.

If you've never heard of the workout trend "fasted cardio," know that it isn't exactly rocket science. Put simply, it refers to exercising on an empty stomach, which usually means getting in your sweat session before you eat your breakfast. (So, if you've ever bounded out of bed in at 7am and went "running on empty" or did a spin class before grabbing your morning oatmeal, congrats! You've performed fasted cardio.) Many fitness enthusiasts swear by the practice, including the eternally ageless J.Lo.

Though past studies seem divided on the benefits of performing cardio in a fasted state, a study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that participants who performed cardio before eating their first meal of the day actually experienced double the fat burn compared to those who exercised with food in their belly. "Rates of whole-body lipid utilization"—ie. "fat burn"—"were around 2-fold higher with exercise before versus after carbohydrate provision, and this difference between the conditions was sustained throughout the whole 6-week intervention," observes the study.

Continued below.
One Workout Trick That's Proven to Double Your Fat Burn, Says Study | Eat This Not That

 

[Joyous Song]

Scientists reveal why you should consider working out on an empty stomach.

If you've never heard of the workout trend "fasted cardio," know that it isn't exactly rocket science. Put simply, it refers to exercising on an empty stomach, which usually means getting in your sweat session before you eat your breakfast. (So, if you've ever bounded out of bed in at 7am and went "running on empty" or did a spin class before grabbing your morning oatmeal, congrats! You've performed fasted cardio.) Many fitness enthusiasts swear by the practice, including the eternally ageless J.Lo.

Though past studies seem divided on the benefits of performing cardio in a fasted state, a study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that participants who performed cardio before eating their first meal of the day actually experienced double the fat burn compared to those who exercised with food in their belly. "Rates of whole-body lipid utilization"—ie. "fat burn"—"were around 2-fold higher with exercise before versus after carbohydrate provision, and this difference between the conditions was sustained throughout the whole 6-week intervention," observes the study.

Continued below.
One Workout Trick That's Proven to Double Your Fat Burn, Says Study | Eat This Not That

JS: I eat a tiny bit of protein two hours before I work out so I get a fat burn but not a protein burn off my muscles. I follow though with high protein to help heal and rebuild my muscles.