Are you ACTUALLY hungry after working out?
You may not be as hungry after a workout as you think. In the study covered in this episode, acute exercise influenced appetite-related hormonal responses, suggesting the urge to eat a big post-workout meal can be more perceived than physical. Here's what that means for how you refuel.
Key Takeaways
- A study on appetite after exercise found you may not be as hungry post-workout as expected.
- Exercise can influence appetite-related hormones, which affect energy intake.
- The episode includes MURPH tips for beginners and a look at Metronome MURPH.
- The Meet Yourself Saturday workout is Heavy Load Short Distance.
Episode 142 of The Garage Gym Athlete Podcast is up!
Are you ACTUALLY hungry after working out?
This week we have all four coaches back on the podcast! They are covering a study that looks into appetite after workouts. The study looked at hormonal responses and showed that you may not actually be that hungry after workouts! This week's topic is on MURPH for beginners. Each of the coaches give their tips on how to add in a few things here and there to better prep yourself for the workout. Lastly, this week's Meet Yourself Saturday workout is Heavy Load Short Distance. Make sure to listen all the way to the end...there may be some new MYS workouts that are in the mix!
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to the Garage Gym Athlete podcast either on Stitcher, iTunes, or Google Play by using the link below:
IN THIS 55-MINUTE EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
- Jerred's Weird Workout
- Are You ACTUALLY Hungry After Working Out
- Metronome MURPH
- Heavy Load Short Distance
- MURPH Tips for Beginners
- Tips For MYS
- Updates and Announcements
- And A LOT MORE!!
Diving Deeper…
If you want to go a little bit deeper on this episode, here are some links for you:
Study of the Week
Garage Gym Athlete Workout of the Week
Be sure to listen to this week’s episode:
What the research says
The Study of the Week examined the effects of acute exercise on appetite and energy intake in men and women. As the coaches summarize it, exercise can blunt appetite by influencing the hormones that drive hunger—so the strong urge to eat right after a tough session may be smaller than it feels. The practical takeaway isn't to skip food entirely; it's to recognize that a reflexive “I just worked out, so I earned a big meal” mindset may not match what your body actually needs.
What this means for refueling
Let genuine hunger and your goals guide how much you eat after training, rather than eating large meals on autopilot. If your goal is fat loss, this can help you avoid accidentally erasing the calories you just burned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you actually hungry after a workout?
Not always. The study discussed found that exercise can blunt appetite through hormonal responses, so post-workout hunger may be less than you expect.
Should you eat a big meal right after working out?
It depends on your goals. The episode suggests post-workout hunger may be more perceived than physical, so listen to genuine hunger cues rather than eating reflexively.
Does exercise affect appetite hormones?
Yes. The study examined hormonal responses and energy intake in men and women, indicating that acute exercise can influence appetite.
Related reading from Garage Gym Athlete
- Are You Properly Fueling For Your Workout?
- How Important Are Pre Workout Meals?
- Key Nutritional Factors For Weight Loss
Want nutrition guidance that fits real training? Explore the Garage Gym Athlete membership.
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Thanks for listening to the podcast, and if you have any questions be sure to add it to the comments below!
To becoming better!
Jerred
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For ongoing daily training that exploits everything we have discusses here and more, check out Garage Gym Athlete.
