Fitness Challenges

Is it okay to work out on an empty stomach?

Working out on an empty stomach, or around 3-6 hours after eating, is known as ‘fasted cardio’. The insulin in your blood is relatively low, which means that the energy you get from glucose in your bloodstream isn’t relatively available. Your body will then need to use stored energy, known as glycogen and fat, in order to get your muscles moving.

However, if you don’t eat enough of the right foods during the day to fuel your workouts, it could mean that your blood glucose and glycogen levels are completely depleted. As a result, your body may start using muscle tissue for energy, and you’ll lose definition and tone in your figure. This is an extreme example, but it does mean you’ll need to be careful about how you fuel your body before and after a workout, so you avoid losing muscle mass.

Which body parts should I work out on which days?

There’s no right or wrong way to split your workouts, and your main priority should be thinking about whether there are specific areas you want to put more or less focus on. For example, you may want to emphasise your upper body more than your legs, or instead complete a workout plan that focuses on your core. However you choose to divide your time, it’s important to rest your body between sessions to avoid fatigue.

What happens if you work out but don’t eat healthily?

Even if you work out regularly, eating the wrong foods still has a negative effect on your body. The truth is, you can’t exercise off a bad diet, and you need to ensure that your body is getting the right micro and macronutrients so you can perform at your best on a daily basis. The best way to achieve this is through eating a healthy, balanced diet, like the one included in Sassy’s 28 Day Sculpt Plan.

Is it better to work out in the morning or at night?

There isn’t actually a ‘better’ time to complete your workouts — it depends entirely on your lifestyle. If you’re going to work out in the morning before breakfast, it’s important to have a well-balanced dinner the night before, to give you the fuel you need to complete a full session when you wake up. However, if you’re working out at night, you should eat the right foods during the day to fuel your body.