Your Body's Energy systems

Have you wondered How your body produces energy? When we exercise we use 3 different energy systems.

In the first 10 seconds, we use stored energy in the muscles, right after our body starts to break the sugar in our blood (glycolysis). Up to the first 2 minutes, this will be the main system used. This process happens without the access of Oxygen in the muscles and as a byproduct, we have lactic acid left behind in the muscle (which causes that burning feeling).

Once Oxygen can get to the muscles (after the 2-3m mark) the energy system is much more powerful and does not have the last acid as a byproduct. Up to this point, carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body even though fats are being utilized in the background.

After the 30m mark we deplete most of the carbohydrates and fats will be the main energy system used.

Take away:

Energy systems are chemical reactions. In order for fat to be "burned" to generate energy, we need to have carbohydrates in our system. So carbohydrates are not our enemy! Just pick the good ones in and the right amount for your body!