Exercising in a fasted state is actually smart.
Think about it from an evolutionary standpoint. If you're an animal or a human living in a primal state, without access to supermarkets or refrigerated food, you go out to hunt or forage not when you've just eaten, but when you're hungry.
Intermittent Fasting (IF) is an approach to fitness which works well for many people. I've fasted for 18-36 hours, twice a week, and waited until the end of that fast to do 20-30 minutes of high-intensity strength/interval workouts. I do not do aerobic exercises, like running, as those can be counter-productive to dieting (increasing appetite) and don't increase muscle mass. Increased muscles improves metabolism as they burn more calories, by weight.
I have skipped the workout when I don't feel up to it, but nearly all of the time, I do just fine lifting weights, doing lunges and sprints, without eating for about a day beforehand. In a fasted state, the body kicks into high gear, burning fat like crazy.
Last time I took a fasting glucose it was 99. Since then I've lost 20 lbs, started exercising, and eating super healthy (lots of fruits, veggies, protein, and healthy fats). And my most recent fasting glucose was 101! How can this be? I exercised about 1.5 hours before the test for an hour and it was very intense weight lifting. I hope the weight lifting is what caused that or else I am going on medication because I am doing everything anyone could do eating and activity wise. :(
The percentage points varies to each individual!
Actually, that's how I do it every morning, taking a jog (usually 30 mins to 1 hr) before breakfast. On this particularity morning the run was as normal (a bit slower, actually), and for about 20 minutes. It was approximately 3 hours before the test. (Run ended at 6:45, test took place around 10am.)
Gymdandee
I had read that study as well, but what I wanted to know is, more specifically, approximately how many percentage (or total) points of a drop or rise are we talking about?
I doubt the result were too heavily affected either way (ie, I doubt I'm a diabetic, or even pre-diabetic) so I won't worry too much about it, and remember this for next time. If I find I keep thinking about it I'll pick up a cheap glucose monitor and test myself. No need to have the lab redo the test just for this.
The University of Michigan Health System advises that exercise can result in either an increase or a decrease in blood sugar levels. During exercise, insulin becomes more efficient. This effect can persist, lowering blood sugar levels for hours afterward. An hour of afternoon exercise may lower glucose levels until the next morning, affecting the fasting blood sugar test. Exercise can also affect glucose levels by releasing adrenaline. This raises blood sugar temporarily. Physical exertion or other activities that cause excitement may increase fasting sugar levels if performed shortly before the test.
I'm confused how exercise can have an affect on a blood test... explain?
I thought this thread was going to be something along the lines of... should I exercise because I haven't eaten anything since the day before... not smart, btw.