Fasted Workouts: Does Exercising on an Empty Stomach Really Burn More Fat?
The idea of working out on an empty stomach, also known as fasted exercise, has gained popularity as a strategy to burn more fat. But does it really help you shed pounds faster, or is it just another fitness myth?
When you wake up in the morning, your body has been fasting for hours, meaning your glycogen stores (the body’s quick energy source) are relatively low.
This can make your body more likely to tap into fat stores for energy during exercise. Some studies suggest that fasted workouts can increase fat oxidation, meaning your body burns a higher percentage of fat for fuel compared to workouts after eating.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that fasted workouts will lead to more fat loss in the long term.
While you may burn more fat during the session itself, the total amount of fat burned throughout the day (or over time) is what matters most for weight loss. The difference in fat loss between working out on an empty stomach and after eating is often minimal.
One downside to fasted workouts is that you may feel sluggish or lack energy, especially if you're doing high-intensity exercises. This could limit your performance and reduce the overall effectiveness of your workout.
If you're unable to push yourself as hard in a fasted state, you might burn fewer calories overall, which could counteract the potential fat-burning benefits.
While working out on an empty stomach may increase fat burning during the workout itself, it’s not a magic solution for faster fat loss. Consistency, intensity, and calorie balance are far more important factors in fat loss.