$Unique_ID{BRK00740} $Pretitle{} $Title{Exercising After Eating} $Subject{diet exercise digestion Community Social diets metabolism exercising metabolic rate decrease appetite glycogen calories digestive} $Volume{Q-26,C-23} $Log{ Exercise Increases Metabolism*0003205.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Exercising After Eating ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: My boss is trying to lose weight, but I think he is on the wrong track. He gobbles down a quick lunch, then spends the rest of his lunch hour "speed walking". He thinks this helps to burn off the calories he has just consumed. I was taught that exercise after eating was dangerous. Is my boss in some type of danger? He really is too good to lose! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Well then, let's see if we can keep him fit, without any undue risks. Your lesson in the dangers of eating first then exercising probably came from the same admonitions I received as a lad; no swimming right after eating. And they still hold true. As the process of digestion starts, and foods are broken down into the fatty acids, amino acids and simple sugars used by our body; and large amounts of blood are sent to the abdomen, where the intestines are located, to aid digestion and absorption. Since active muscles demand increased blood flow, exercise can pull the blood away from its digestive functions, resulting in distress, cramps and indigestion. While a bloated or full feeling resulting from gorging on a feast can be relieved by low level exercise, like walking, your boss' actions will not help him accomplish his weight loss objective. However, reversing the pattern might. Vigorous exercise before a meal can raise the metabolic rate at which calories are burned. This rate remains elevated, even when the exercise stops, and this "afterburn" can help in weight control. In addition, exercise may also decrease appetite and help your boss resist the temptations of overeating. The exercise will also burn the stored reserves of glycogen (the body's ready source of energy), and the new food carbohydrates will be used to replenish this glycogen rather than being converted to fat. So here is a health tip for your boss (and other readers). Use exercise before meals as an appetite suppressant, and restrict after meal exercise to the slow walk that aids digestion. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.