All right, I'll try this again:

You do some MODERATE exercise to ramp up your metabolism before you eat, so you can make the most efficient use of the nutrients instead of storing them away. You supplement the protein to concentrate the burn in the fat to specifically target fat loss and protect the muscle mass. You start out the moderate exercise in a glycogen depleted state to activate the anaerobic metabolism to target the 50:50 protein:fat burn to power your body.

When you restock, the carbs get processed directly to glycogen storage for replenishment rather than storing them to fat....as long as you are still in that magic window of 30-60 minutes post exercise and the metabolism is still ramped up. The protein goes to rebuilding muscle tissue as well in the ramped period and the burned fatty tissue doesn't get replaced as quickly as if eaten after a sedentary period. It's a win/win situation. Genetically, we're hunter/gatherers and this is reflected in how our metabolism stays ramped for maximum efficiency "after the hunt", as well as the tendency to store to fat if sedentary, like it would be in bad weather/winter if we were still hunter gatherers.

Breakfast is STILL the most important meal, this just allows you to make use of it in the most efficient manner possible, metabolically speaking.

Honestly, you are all thinking into this WAY too much. Eat your breakfast, have a good split of carbs/fat/protein.

Calories in < calories out = progress. Just go ride.

Tell you what, knucks, you do it how you want.....I really have no problem with that at all. I choose to optimize my performance. I'm also in training for several upcoming events, including an attempt at a 310 mile sub 18 hour ride, so I'll continue with my program. If others choose to follow it, that's great. If they choose not to, that's also great.

Honestly, you are all thinking into this WAY too much. Eat your breakfast, have a good split of carbs/fat/protein.

Calories in < calories out = progress. Just go ride.

I'm glad that people understand that it's a TERRIBLE idea to be exercising on an empty stomach. You'll get tired faster, you won't be able to maintain a high basal metabolism, and your body will began to catabolize your muscle for protein.

Maybe it's just me, but I eat until I can't breathe, and then do the same when I work out. I'm sure this will catch up with me in the future, but until then, i'll enjoy my food comas.

To agree again..... being consistent and enjoying my time on the bike will help accomplish my goal. Any lost efficiencies due to timing of the ride will be offset by the fact I'm staying with it and so on.

I approached cycling with the hope to find some form of exercise that could carry me in old age that I liked. There are not many exercise regimins that fit that category. I wouldn't be able to keep it up if it was all about doing it at a certain time of day.

Bob

When I try to ride in the morning, I get nausea and tightness in my shoulder and neck muscles - which is the same symptoms I get when I try to ride in the mid day heat without being fully hydrated. Could I be dehydrated in the morning? I was thinking it may also be my stomach having problems with indigested food from the night before. Anyone have similar problem?

When I ride in the morning I don't have any problems at all but I keep them to about 40 minutes or so. I'm sure if I went "too far" then problems would show up. "Too far" is different to different people. I believe that I can maximize my exercise by doing so in the morning before eating anything. However if I don't get out then I'll happily get my ride in when I can.

I approached cycling with the hope to find some form of exercise that could carry me in old age that I liked. There are not many exercise regimins that fit that category. I wouldn't be able to keep it up if it was all about doing it at a certain time of day.

Bob

+1

When I try to ride in the morning, I get nausea and tightness in my shoulder and neck muscles - which is the same symptoms I get when I try to ride in the mid day heat without being fully hydrated. Could I be dehydrated in the morning? I was thinking it may also be my stomach having problems with indigested food from the night before. Anyone have similar problem?

I take a 1.5 liter bottle of water with me to bed - it's gone before I get up in the morning (half the night before, if I wake up I'm usually thirsty and take some, and then when I wake up). If you're overweight there's a good chance you have a bit of apnea - your body would respond by keeping your mouth open which will expel quite a bit of moisture over the course of 8 hours.

What color is your urine in the morning? If it has any color besides clear you're dehydrated.