When is the best time to do cardio?
We get this question a lot, Test: is cardio better before or after weights?
Nutrition and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to supporting a healthy physique (which, by the way, looks different on everyBODY).
This small change (knowing when, what type, and how much cardio to do) can have a HUGE impact on your muscle growth and recovery if you’ve been doing it the other way for a while.
Drum roll please....
Is this surprising to you?
We can't tell you how many clients we've worked with who have pushed themselves so hard with cardio before picking up weights and wonder why they can't get past using 10-pound dumbbells.
Understanding your physiology will give you the answer as to why this is not a good idea!
Here's why:
In other words: if you do a cardio session that lasts over 10 minutes before lifting weights, you're likely going to burn through / use up any glucose floating in your bloodstream and/or potentially even glycogen stored in your muscle cells and liver.
The body obtains and stores glucose and glycogen from the carbs you eat!
[HELLO, this is why we are not afraid of carbs!]
Don't waste that precious energy on cardio - that's what your body fat stores are for!
Is this all making sense now?
This is why we use the principles of nutrition science and exercise science to eat/work SMARTER, not harder.
So when is the best time for cardio? Read on...
Here's another tip:
If you do steady state cardio on a non-lifting day, you may enjoy doing it fasted (i.e. on an empty stomach) FIRST thing in the morning.
Why fasted?
When you wake up after not having carbs for at least 8 hours (assuming you're not snacking in the middle of the night), your body is in a fasted state, meaning it probably has zero glucose readily available in the bloodstream.
Moving into an easy, steady state cardio activity like walking in a fasted state means that you're more likely to dip into body fat stores for energy immediately.
The key is to make sure it's very low impact and easy.
If you try to do an intense exercise like HIIT or lifting weights in a fasted state, that will backfire by breaking down your hard-earned muscle tissue for fuel instead!
Why? those activities require glucose and glycogen for fuel. So please don't try that on an empty stomach : )
That means waking up first thing in the morning, slamming coffee, and busting out a 30-45 minute super intense Peloton HIIT ride on an empty stomach is not a good idea!
This compromises your body's ability to build and maintain muscle mass, especially for women who naturally produce less testosterone.
As you can see, there is intention to everything we do and recommend.
Our entire weekly workout schedule that we facilitate live and on demand is centered around training efficiently for a desired result.
Nothing is random.
If you're ready to take the guesswork out of your health and physique goals, book a free Discovery Call with us today and apply for our life-changing 12-week program.
Shannon Morse & Lisa Kirby | Creators of Awaken Your Nutrition @thegreendoor.life | thegreendoorlife.com
Upcoming Events:
If you feel overwhelmed by the craziness of what's going on in the world right now and just want to come up for air, this retreat is for you 💚💚💚
Oftentimes, when we feel stuck in a loop or in a constant state of fear, it requires an all-out change in environment to snap you out of the suffocation of media overload, conditioned thoughts + beliefs, and narrow perspectives.
This is exactly why we created this retreat!
We will gather together as a community to collectively move, breathe, shed, grow, expand, nourish, dance, and elevate our state of consciousness to align with that of the highest versions of ourselves.
It's time to move TOWARD a vision of yourself, your community, and your world instead of resisting the versions you DON'T want.
Take the leap. Honor your body. Calm your mind. Feed your soul.
If you feel called to join us, we feel honored to see you there!
Quick Facts: The Green Door Life Retreat
- Dates: April 23-30, 2022
- Location: Club Med in Cancun, Mexico
- All food, alcohol, beverages, airport transportation, workouts, and resort activities included!!
- Who this is for: current, past, or potential members + their friends/family, and anyone else age 21 and up
- You can book your own room or share a room with a friend or partner for a slight discount
- Payment plan available if you book by September 22
- You'll get a full refund (minus a $60 resort fee) should we enter another lockdown in 2022, so you can purchase with peace of mind
Our 7-night fully inclusive retreat + vacation experience is a window into how you can recreate The Green Door Life at home every day and be inspired to practice your new wellness habits for a lifetime.
RSVP for Any Event
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When you're done trying "all the things" and are tired of feeling tired, we'll be here waiting for you with open arms! Apply for our life-changing 12-week Awaken Your Nutrition program today and feel better at your next meal.
Book a discovery call today to get started.
You'll speak with a Green Door Life team member and learn more about flexible payments and the right type of program to support your goals and learning style.
Click the Discovery Call link below or forward this to a loved one who is ready for this support in their life (limited space available; serious inquiries only)👇
Book Your Free Call
P.S. Looking for more nutrition, health, and training support? Here are 2 ways we can help you:
(1) WATCH OUR FREE MASTERCLASS → Discover the 3-step system in our that helps you activate your natural weight management code without restricting your favorite foods or exercising excessively! Click here to register and view at your convenience.
(2) GET LEAN → If you’re ready to permanently lose at least 10 pounds in as little as 8 weeks or want to maximize your performance and muscle tone, then book a discovery call with us.
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