Shooting on an empty stomach.

I've got to eat. I don't over eat though. I don't go anywhere hungry and prefer doing anything if I'm well fed. There have been times in my life I was hungry without anything to eat and I think that changes something in a person to not want to ever be hungry again .

when I shoot trap I like a little snack to keep my energy level up, also found out if I take an allergy pill it throws off my timing and I shoot behind the bird

I always take and energy bar and a piece of fruit with me to the range. I'm going to be out there for the best part of the day and since I'm diabetic I need a snack. I also bring a 6 pack of water/gatorade lite with me.

Shooting for fun; maybe, honestly never thought about it. However, I have eaten before and after shooting. I can even remember going out back after a large thanksgiving dinner and shooting with some of my relatives.

However, if practicing for self-defense it would only make sense if your self-defense situation will only occur when you have an empty stomach. I understand there are strange people out there and if confronted after leaving a restaurant, possibly you could get the criminal to come back the next day before you eat. However, even with the high number of strange people, not sure that would work well for you.

Competitive shooters that routinely win at their discipline generally have a good handle on mental management and duplicating circumstances where they are successful. If one thinks staying up late into the night before drinking helps his game it can just as much as another that thinks he needs to be in bed before the chickens.

Both can be successful unless you mess up their mental game and swap routines, then neither will be on their “A” game.

https://www.businessinsider.com/the...oves-and-tapped-his-toes-before-every-pitch-1

Just going from a comfort aspect, neither stuffed or starving are good to keep my mind on track. Food at the range can vary from location to location too. I take lunch with me to matches so that variable is eliminated. Foods and portions that historically have had no negative effects.

If you have things you eat that satisfy hunger but otherwise go unnoticed, that’s what I would start with. Enough water to keep you hydrated but not looking for a place to urinate every stage.

Pat Riot said:

I always eat a little something before shooting. If I don’t I get shaky and my accuracy suffers. On the other hand if I eat too much I find it uncomfortable and therefore distracting and accuracy suffers.

If I have a light breakfast and go to the range a couple of hours later it seems to be best for me.

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Said it better than I could've. I'm the same. No food and I shake. Too much caffeine and I shake too. There's a balance for me.

I eat before I go to the range. I don't stuff myself at any meal. I have never noticed that the amount of food I have in my stomach makes a difference in my shooting ability. Apparently I am immune to the effects of caffeine as I have experimented with no caffeine before shooting and drinking coffee while shooting and seeing no difference in my abilities. I can drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks and sleep soundly right after doing so. My problems are age and tremors that are taking their toll with no cure for either. Well, there is for the age thing but I am not the least bit interested in it. There is medical help for the tremors but they are never completely gone.

In my case I do compete, practice, test exams, or physical training and other activities that required endurance or focus. Fast is my chose of action.

I found this thread interesting. I'm been doing speed shooting bowling pin leagues at my local club for at least 20 years. I discovered that my best scores are 2 to 3 hours after eating, I have the best energy and concentration at that time. If I shoot too soon after eating I'm too slow, if I'm hungry I start missing the pins by trying to shoot too fast. Caffeine also has a huge affect on my scores, a little is needed for speed but too much will make me lose concentration. Also any allergy or cold medicine will put me in sloooooooooow motion, I have to avoid that stuff at least 24 hours in advance of shooting.

Not eating a lot before a sports event is normal for me and I learnt to drink less coffee before gun matches in the morning hours.

Perhaps a little understanding about hunger and how the body works might help.

While you're physically active, your body doesn't feel hungry. Obviously, if you've hit the point of starvation, that's not the case because stomach cramps and other things kick in. But in general, during your routine daily operations if you're physically active your body doesn't feel hunger. Standing, walking around, riding a bicycle, carrying groceries, building some project in the back yard, lawn/garden work, etc.

When you STOP being active, then you feel hunger. This is because the body now has time to divert physiological resources to the task of eating and whatnot. And once you eat, the body now has to divert resources to digestion. The more you eat, the more the body has to divert resources...and the more likely you'll have to deal with uncomfortable aspects, such as stuffed feelings, bloated, gas, etc.

If you simply take in some nurishment, the body can really delay the onset of hunger pangs and the like for a really long time, so long as you're somewhat physically active. Your body has plenty of energy reserves to carry you through and it doesn't have to divert resources to dealing with excessive amounts of food at the same time.

I feel coffee, eating, and smoking before a match raises your heart rate. I could feel it in the cuff sling in rifle comp. So your head may be focused on the X-ring but your body is busy digesting.

I'll eat 2 or 3 hours before and be sure to use the bathroom before I get on the line.

No caffeine for me before shooting, i always shoot poorly after drinking iced tea or a cola (I’m not a coffee drinker, long story).

I will eat a bit before shooting, but not much. I don’t like that full stomach/bloaty feel after I eat a full meal. A couple of granola bars is about it, just enough to take the hunger pangs away until the shooting day is over.

Stay safe.

Last time I shot prone on a full stomach I fell asleep.

Many do not fare well on an empty stomach due to low blood sugar and/ or bitchy behavior, or other symptoms. It might make you a better shot in spite of gritting your teeth.