To Wait or Not to Wait... After Eating

By Kevin Valluzzi

Q: How long should I wait to work out after eating?

A: That is very relative. It really is different for every person. The general rule of thumb is to wait about 20 minutes if you are eating and then doing a strength-training session. You should probably wait a little longer, say 30 minutes, if you are eating and then doing a cardiovascular workout, such as interval training. But as I said, everyone seems to be different. I personally don't seem to have to wait long at all. But some of the people I've worked with need to wait a while after eating to make sure their stomach feels okay before they start exerting themselves. With that said, it is a good idea to have a little something to eat before you work out. Don't stuff your face of course, but just have a little something to give you a boost of energy. And then you'll have to see for yourself how you feel.