Tiffany: My friends swear by fasted cardio but I don’t know if that’s safe for me because I tend to workout really hard? 

Megan: Fasted cardio can be effective because the body is pulling from reserves and may tap into burning more stored fat, but at certain intensities it may not be safe. Depending on what you are doing, working out on an empty stomach might cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Maybe you ate an early dinner and now it’s mid morning and you are working out, so there is little left in the tank after digestion has taken place. For example, a person running a half marathon wouldn’t want to do this fasted. There isn’t enough gas in the tank. Lifting heavy weights wouldn’t be a good idea either. So if you feel nauseous or a little faint, then you wouldn’t really be maximizing the cardio you are doing anyways. Personally, I know I need some healthy carbs and protein in my system before a workout. Otherwise, I actually feel like I’m going to throw up with stomach acid. Not everyone has the same hunger/appetite/metabolic needs, so some people don’t need to eat in the morning and are used to that. Do what makes your body feel best, despite what anyone else may be doing because not every body responds the same way. 

If you have a question for Dr. FIT, email her at everybodysfit@gmail.com and be sure to check out her website www.everybodysfitoceanside.com