Don't Exercise on an Empty Stomach

You're sweating away in the gym to lose weight. And if you don't eat beforehand, you'll burn more fat, right? WRONG.

"If you don't have the carbohydrate stores to fuel your work-out, your body will burn muscle instead". "You'll achieve the opposite of what you wanted: a sluggish metabolism, less muscle tone and poorer fitness."

Follow the simple steps below for healthy body:

• Ideally eat a balanced meal 2-4 hours before exercise.
  
  
• Failing that, have a snack 1-2 hours ahead, but go for something that'll enter the blood stream slowly, such as fresh or dried fruit, yogurt, nuts or a cheese or tuna sandwich, not something sugary that'll give only a brief energy rush.
  
  
• If you exercise first thing in the morning a sports drink can give you energy without making you feel sick.
  
  
• After exercise, eat within two hours to help replace lost glycogen and boost your metabolic rate-vital for weight loss.