Hi everyone,

I've always worked out, but I stopped for four months and now I'm back at the gym. I do about 20mins. of speed walking and then about 20min. of the elliptical trainer 5 times a week. (its only been one week though). Anyway, do you burn carbs while working out? I'm wondering if I could eat a few more carbs while working out. The reason I'm asking this is because I sometimes get dizzy as soon as I'm done with my work out. Am I only burning fat? or am I burning carbs as well?

thanks

I believe you can only burn calories...if I am wrong someone correct me please ! Working out burns calories, and in turn burns fat...
Are you drinking enough water ? I only get dizzy when my water intake has been low...

Your body will burn carbs first. In the absence of carbs, it burns fat. You did not say what your daily carb intake is, so I can't say what might cause your post work out dizzyness. If the carbs are very low, it could be from that. I know that I sometimes have the same issue after an HIIT session on my elliptical. Water, as mentioned before could also factor in.

I believe Dr. Atkins addressed the carb issue in DANDR. He said that there was a post exercise window of opportunity where our metabolism is accelerated. It's during this time that he says we could take advantage of having a few extra carbs because the body burns them right away. The time frame is somewhere in the 30 to 45 minute post exercise range, if I'm not mistaken. I'm in OWL and can easily handle 20 additional carbs a day and still stay in ketosis when I do HIIT. YMMV.

Thanks for the reply. My carb level has been really low for the past week. About 15 grams or so, maybe even less. I work out in the mornings and I drink almost all of my water during the day after working out so water intake or lack of could be a factor. I just can't drink water early in the morning.

What do you guys do to keep hydrated in the morning? Do you drink protein shakes before working out?

I heard its better to work out on an empty stomach because you burn fat that way. Is this true? I have to have breakfast or else I won't have the energy to do cardio for 45 minutes. What seems to be the most effective method of working out? I eat eggs for breakfast. 1 egg with the yolk and 2 egg whites fried with Pam. I also have coffee with heavy cream and splenda before working out. Is this a good meal? Please advise........


thanks.

I've read many times that morning cardio is most effective if one can do it on an empty stomach. Since you need to eat before, I think your breakfast is an excellent one. Your three egg whites are pure protein. I never ate before my AM cardio. If I had though, I would have made a small whey protein powder shake or made a breakfast like yours.

I've heard pros and cons for exercising on an empty stomach. I think it has the most benefit for a high carb dieter......my opinion is empty stomach cardio is unnecessary for low carber as we are already using fat for fuel. The only time I do empty stomach am cardio is Sun after my carb up weekend, to hasten the return to ketosis.

My normal routine during the week is to have 2eggs/2egg whites in butter, and coffee w/cream, about an hour to an hour and a half prior to exercise. Then immediately after exercise (the intense sessions) I take a post workout shake of protein powder and dextrose (15g). (Thanks Dawna, for mentioning Atkins addressing this in DANDR....I missed this!)

So I think your breakfast is fantastic and yummy.

Having a high GI/high carb meal post-workout is a staple in the bodybuilding world where a good portion also adhere to a diet generally low/moderate in carbs.

Its actually beneficial to have an insulin spike immediately after training as your body will take all the glycogen and direct it immediately into your muscles - this will aid them both in recovery and growth.

Basically, post-workout carbs won't make you fat and will in fact benefit your excercise program. I often have around 40-50 grams of carbs immediately post-workout.

Hey Dawna, I skimmed through DANDR the other night, trying to find reference to this. I truly believe it; just wanted to read his take onit. Can you give me some page numbers, please? Thanks in advance!!

Dane,
My mistake. It was not DANDR.
It is Atkins For Life, pg 86.
I did not remember the "window of opportunity" correctly either. It is a 60 to 90 minute window.
Body refills the muscles with glycogen instead of storing excess calories as fat.
It's where Dr. A. mentions how we may use exercise as a means of raising our ACE.