Originally Posted by shawn

If you are talking directly before, it doesn't matter. For me, that just gives me an upset stomach. What happens when you exercise is the glucose (I think that's the right sugar) that is stored in your liver is burned first. As that is being used, your body begins to convert available proteins and carbohydrates into sugar. Fat stores are then tapped and used in much the same way. This is somewhat a simplification, but you get the idea. It is important to eat either sometime before or shortly after so that your body does not start to use muscle as a protein source. This is why serious lifters and body builders eat about six small meals a day, so there is always available protein and carbs. But I think eating directly before a workout will not give your body time to digest food into a usable form.