Eating something small, right before early morning workout?

[reservoirdog1]

I'm hoping to ignite something of a debate with this question and get opposing viewpoints. Therein, the truth lies.

 

Should you, or shouldn't you, eat something (nutritious, small) before working out first thing in the morning? Is it better to exercise on a totally empty stomach? Or is it better for your body to have something there to burn?

[Craig]

Therein, the truth lies.

Don't you mean "lays?"

 

It depends on what kind of workout you are doing. What kind of workout are you doing and what are your goals?

[NTB]

it's better to work out on and empty stomach, you burn the stored fat instead of the food just consumed

[Craig]

it's better to work out on and empty stomach, you burn the stored fat instead of the food just consumed

What if you are a body builder and not getting ready for a competition at the moment?

[NTB]

What if you are a body builder and not getting ready for a competition at the moment?

 

RD didn't mention anything about body building so it was over looked on my part, i figured he was talking about a cardio work out, but your right body building would require meal

[Craig]

RD didn't mention anything about body building so it was over looked on my part, i figured he was talking about a cardio work out, but your right body building would require meal

NTB if doing a cardio workout, I'd agree with your stance on not eating before a workout.

[tanbark813]

Personally, I think something small is good. Like a banana and some juice or something.

 

During the summer I sometimes play on a soccer league and our games are often in the morning. I've found that my endurance is better if I have a nectarine and a sugar free Red Bull, than if I have nothing or a big breakfast.

[catgirl1927]

My BF says that to burn fat with cardio, it's better if you work out on an empty stomach in the morning. If you're lifting weights you need some fuel.

 

I don't like working out on an empty stomach, because I alternate between feeling like I'm going to hurl and feeling CRAZY hungry the whole time and don't get a good workout.

[Sassy]

My BF says that to burn fat with cardio, it's better if you work out on an empty stomach in the morning. If you're lifting weights you need some fuel.

 

I don't like working out on an empty stomach, because I alternate between feeling like I'm going to hurl and feeling CRAZY hungry the whole time and don't get a good workout.

 

Me too Cat i always have to eat or i feel like my stomach will eat a hole in it. Gives me energy. I eat when i take my daughter to school then exercise a couple hrs later.

[magda]

Seems like it'd be better to eat something, keep your metabolism up. Plus after I work out I'm in danger of eating everything in site, so for me I'd rather eat something small before.

[Craig]

So it really depends upon what kind of workout you are going for and what your goals are.

 

If you're not a serious, competitive athlete then I'd say go for comfort. If you are a serious competitive athlete then you need to pay attention to whether you eat or drink and how much you eat or drink before and/or during a workout. Eating is just one small part of the larger program of working out.

[catgirl1927]

Not eating before morning cardio, while making you feel really icky, really does help burn fat. It's all about your goals.

[NTB]

My BF says that to burn fat with cardio, it's better if you work out on an empty stomach in the morning. If you're lifting weights you need some fuel.

 

I don't like working out on an empty stomach, because I alternate between feeling like I'm going to hurl and feeling CRAZY hungry the whole time and don't get a good workout.

 

 

this could just be your sugar levels are low, while your working out you can try drinking some gatorade or another electrolyte replacement drink that might take away that feeling of wanting to hurl.

[catgirl1927]

this could just be your sugar levels are low, while your working out you can try drinking some gatorade or another electrolyte replacement drink that might take away that feeling of wanting to hurl.

 

Probably. But the hurling feeling usually comes when I go really heavy. Also, too many calories. Isn't there a new drink from gatorade for women that has no/low calories but still electrolytes?

[NTB]

Probably. But the hurling feeling usually comes when I go really heavy. Also, too many calories. Isn't there a new drink from gatorade for women that has no/low calories but still electrolytes?

 

not sure if it's for women but i know they have that new gatorade rain that is lower in calories or you could try vitamin water that's pretty good

[catgirl1927]

Gatorade Rain. That's what I was thinking of, I saw a commercial with a wet girl in it. Vitamin water is delish, but the price keeps doubling! Craziness.

[NTB]

you can thank rapper 50 for the price doubling on the v- water

[Dawn82]

Hmm, I've heard about fasted low intensity cardio burning high % of fat for energy. but really i don't care much about that. I don't do cardio in the morning but if i did i would still eat small breakfast prior to it.

 

As I look at it, when i am on Diet i have X calories to consume during the day

(lets say X=2000)

so either way i would eat 2000 calories

and either way I would burn same amount of total calories during the day.

 

so if i burn some more fat directly in my morning cardio vs if i burn my breakfast and later on during the day i will burn more fat for basic metabolism. does not matter to me.

I would rather do cardio and feel good

with a little something to eat.

instead of starting my day feeling like s***.

 

Shahar.

[bunnzy]

I get low blood sugar in the morning and need to eat - usually just one piece of fruit does the trick - an apple in the morning will pick you up better than a cup of coffee! I'm serious.

 

If i dont have something i get faint and dizzy. Plus you get vitamins and natural sugar to help you get started. And i dont think having a pear or apple before exercise is going to affect they way you lose weight. Losing weight it a balance of diet and exercise - if you starve yourself you make it worse, that what i personally think. I weigh 60kg and am fit and reasonably healthy (scoliosis and early pregnant at the moment.)

[mini696]

Working out on an empty stomach does increase the fat burn... However as has been said above, it also increases muscle wastage.

 

So if you are looking to lose ONLY weight (fat and muscle) then an empty stomach is the way to go... If you want your muscle mass to remain...then eat.

[pippen_2k]

Im sorry for comming across a little harsh, but ive never heard anything so rediculous in my life that someone recommends going for a workout on an empty stomache.

 

Regardless if its a cardio or weight session, you gotta eat before hand folks... its as simple as that.

 

What ever fool told you to go on early morning workouts on an empty stomache, please backhand for me

[Dawn82]

Im sorry for comming across a little harsh, but ive never heard anything so rediculous in my life that someone recommends going for a workout on an empty stomache.

 

Regardless if its a cardio or weight session, you gotta eat before hand folks... its as simple as that.

 

What ever fool told you to go on early morning workouts on an empty stomache, please backhand for me

 

Just because you do not understand it does not mean its wrong. While I personally do not believe it’s truly worthwhile.

 

There are many people who have successfully incorporated low intensity fasted AM cardio into their fat loss routine. If you check some bodybuilding/diet forums and search for "LISS" or "fasted LISS" you will find many threads Pro or against it.

 

Just because you don't agree/believe

in something. it does not make it "ridiculous"

 

Shahar.

[NTB]

Im sorry for comming across a little harsh, but ive never heard anything so rediculous in my life that someone recommends going for a workout on an empty stomache.

 

Regardless if its a cardio or weight session, you gotta eat before hand folks... its as simple as that.

 

What ever fool told you to go on early morning workouts on an empty stomache, please backhand for me

 

 

i'm not saying starve yourself and don't eat, but if you want to lose more of that stored fat that hangs around your belly or anywhere else that your body just stores for future use then working out first thing in the AM on an empty stomach is best.

[Pink_Tulip]

I think it depends on the person. I have always had low blood sugar, and been slightly anemic. I don't know if that has anything to do with this, but on the rare occasion I decide to do my workout in the morning, I feel dizzy, completely void of energy, and I can't even get through half of my workout before having to quit. I do my workouts all in the evening now, and have a great workout, get cardio and weights in, feel great during and after.

 

I have always heard to burn more fat do it in the morning, but if I only worked out in the morning, lol, my workouts would not be effective. I think that what matters more is that you are exercising consistantly, not the time of day.

[sophia34]

Here's the bottom line: Experiment with it and do what gets you the results and energy levels you want.

 

My story: I used to eat breakfast before working out (oatmeal and milk, for example) in the morning. However, when I got back from my run, I'd be ravenous. I tried eating a smaller snack before hand and then another small breakfast afterward--I was still ravenous. I'd overeat at breakfast, and that ravenous feeling would stay with me throughout the day. So I'd snack all day and I'd never lose weight.

 

What I've learned works FOR ME, although not necessarily for others: If I drink a big glass of tea before I work out (no sugar, no calorie) and just push through the hunger in the beginning, I feel lighter and can work out longer. PLUS, when I get back, the exercise has done some wonderful chemical magic on my body. I'm no longer hungry. So, then I eat a reasonably sized breakfast (cereal and toast, for example). PLUS, I eat later, so there's less time between breakfast and lunch, so I don't get hungry in that time period. AND my blood sugar stays on a more even keel (no idea why). AND I am better able to control my appetite throughout the day because of it.

 

In short, for me, not eating before a workout serves a variety of purposes--not just how much I burned or didn't burn during the workout. It cuts the time between meals for me AND better suppresses my appetite throughout the day. I don't know why it works that way for me. It just does. I know that if I want to lose and control my weight, this is what I need to do.

 

For you, not eating before a workout may have the opposite effect. It may make you feel famished afterward, so you'll over eat. In that case, a small snack beforehand would make sense.

 

Again, experiment and do what works best for you. It's just not going to have the same effect on everyone.