Morning weight lifting

K_EDSwarrior

I lift weights for 75 minutes every morning from 6.45am to 8am.
I physically cannot eat before i train and i'm struggling with energy levels.
I eat well throughout the day and get as much sleep as i can (approx 7 hours).

Ive started to take a Berocca in the morning but not sure its doing anything.

Any advice would be great, thank you!

Teabythesea_

Do you have to workout in the morning? If you do, then will waking up earlier make you more hungry and able to eat before your workout? Correct me if I’m wrong but Berocca is simply a multivitamin, no? I can’t imagine it would do anything for your energy levels. I’m one of the oddballs that enjoys a large breakfast as soon as I wake up, but I also don’t workout until the afternoon. My snack prior to working out is usually something small and carby, like a banana or toast w/ pb. What about liquids? You can try drinking one of those carnation instant breakfast packets in some milk or in coffee.

sardelsa

If you want to get some cals in before your workout and can't eat, you can try liquid calories, some juice or smoothies, protein shake. Otherwise coffee or preworkout might help you.

janismcquinton

I drink a protein drink before; then drink "spark" from Advocare, (no ups and downs) workout, and have breakfast after my workouts; then continue with my other five meals during the day. Long lasting energy all day.

tcunbeliever

I find that having some salt before a fasted workout seems to help, but if this is a new routine it may just take a few weeks to get adapted to the fasted training.

jemhh

When is your last meal or snack? If you aren't eating something before bed, you might try doing so. I find that a snack before bed makes pre-breakfast meals go better.

melissafeagins

Teabythesea_ wrote: »

Do you have to workout in the morning? If you do, then will waking up earlier make you more hungry and able to eat before your workout? Correct me if I’m wrong but Berocca is simply a multivitamin, no? I can’t imagine it would do anything for your energy levels. I’m one of the oddballs that enjoys a large breakfast as soon as I wake up, but I also don’t workout until the afternoon. My snack prior to working out is usually something small and carby, like a banana or toast w/ pb. What about liquids? You can try drinking one of those carnation instant breakfast packets in some milk or in coffee.

I wouldn't put the carnation in coffee. In my experience it curdles. Tastes okay, hut looks gross.

Teabythesea_

melissafeagins wrote: »

Teabythesea_ wrote: »

Do you have to workout in the morning? If you do, then will waking up earlier make you more hungry and able to eat before your workout? Correct me if I’m wrong but Berocca is simply a multivitamin, no? I can’t imagine it would do anything for your energy levels. I’m one of the oddballs that enjoys a large breakfast as soon as I wake up, but I also don’t workout until the afternoon. My snack prior to working out is usually something small and carby, like a banana or toast w/ pb. What about liquids? You can try drinking one of those carnation instant breakfast packets in some milk or in coffee.

I wouldn't put the carnation in coffee. In my experience it curdles. Tastes okay, hut looks gross.

It doesn’t curdle for me, but I also don’t put the powder directly into the hot coffee. I mix the powder with a little water or milk first then pour it in. I also make hot chocolate with it the same way but with hot almond milk. You can also use protein powder in the same fashion, depending on the brand.

K_EDSwarrior

Thanks everyone, you can tell I'm new to this :-)
Yep have to work out in the morning, its the only time that works for my schedule. I've always seen protein shakes as a something for people with more muscle...but ill give it a go.

This is an intense learning curve...appreciate all the advice, thanks!

kami3006

karenmanoli wrote: »

Thanks everyone, you can tell I'm new to this :-)
Yep have to work out in the morning, its the only time that works for my schedule. I've always seen protein shakes as a something for people with more muscle...but ill give it a go.

This is an intense learning curve...appreciate all the advice, thanks!

Are you new to lifting?

ETA: I ask because if you just jumped into lifting 75 minutes every day then there is a good reason to not have good energy levels.

TrishSeren

75 minutes of lifting a day for a newbie is pretty intense, no wonder you're exhausted. I've been lifting for nearly 12 years and never done a 75-minute lifting workout in my life.

How many rest days do you have?

jjpptt2

I wonder how much of it is mental?

But to your question... try a few more calories later at night and/or some caffeine in the morning (even if it's just a caffeine pill with a small sip of water).

Cahgetsfit

TrishSeren wrote: »

75 minutes of lifting a day for a newbie is pretty intense, no wonder you're exhausted. I've been lifting for nearly 12 years and never done a 75-minute lifting workout in my life.

How many rest days do you have?

This. I have been lifting for a while now and I do my workouts in 45-60 mins tops. Not sure why you need to work out for 75mins? Do you cardio as well as lift?

azzeazsaleh5429

I am split 30 mins cardio and about 60 minutes strength training. Ill sneak a banana between cardio and strength training but I was told it would be much better with a protein drink. Either way I am able to keep energy levels up doing it this way. Oh and before I do cardio I try to get 100 calories of a fruit or eggs or something.

deputy_randolph

I lift at 530/6am one day a week (usually about a 2 hr session b/c that's deadlift day). I do have some toast before I leave the house just to get some calories in.

I bring a granola bar to eat towards the end...once I switch from heavy lifts to accessory work.

tonyfastz06

I throw some "Carbion" from Allmax into my intra-workout BCAA drink and i'm good!!! I also weight train very intensely each morning from 5-6:30 in a fasted state 6 days a week.

THS2HASPASSED

Any intra-workout carb will help. Drink throughout your workout and ot will fuel you through. Eat something after your workout. I left from 4am to 6am daily myself.

K_EDSwarrior

Thanks again everyone.

To answer the question re: schedule. I've been in and out of the gym most of my adult life...I've picked it up and put it down during periods of needing to shift some weight, so my focus when exercising has always been weight loss. Its been an emotional thing blah blah blah...anyhoo...now im in a better place and am happy with my weight and my view on nutrition. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which effects connective tissue as my body doesnt make collagen in the way it should. I have found that strengthening my muscles has helped with the constant pain.....and im loving how i look with more muscle...hence why even though I've been a regular in the gym, lifting heavy weights is new to me...i was a cardio bunny before.

My plan from my PT consists of a warm up and then 4 exercises....for example my Monday is SSB Squats (6 sets), Deadlifts (4 sets), Leg Press (3 sets), Walking lunges (3 sets). This seems to take between 60-75 mins...and i might add in some abs if i have time.

Im going to try a banana or protein bar for the next few days and then ill look for a suitable protein drink over the weekend. Thanks for all your advice everyone!!

carlosgap5

bulletproof coffee to me is the best pre workout that exists; however you should take care of your daily amount of fat

cyndit1

if you have issues in the morning with eating before work outs (I do as well) I use casein protein at night just before bed.

chunky_pinup

K_EDSwarrior wrote: »

Thanks again everyone.

To answer the question re: schedule. I've been in and out of the gym most of my adult life...I've picked it up and put it down during periods of needing to shift some weight, so my focus when exercising has always been weight loss. Its been an emotional thing blah blah blah...anyhoo...now im in a better place and am happy with my weight and my view on nutrition. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which effects connective tissue as my body doesnt make collagen in the way it should. I have found that strengthening my muscles has helped with the constant pain.....and im loving how i look with more muscle...hence why even though I've been a regular in the gym, lifting heavy weights is new to me...i was a cardio bunny before.

My plan from my PT consists of a warm up and then 4 exercises....for example my Monday is SSB Squats (6 sets), Deadlifts (4 sets), Leg Press (3 sets), Walking lunges (3 sets). This seems to take between 60-75 mins...and i might add in some abs if i have time.

Im going to try a banana or protein bar for the next few days and then ill look for a suitable protein drink over the weekend. Thanks for all your advice everyone!!

I opened this the day you posted it and was curious about your user name, but didn't want to pry. I have EDS too, and can really only workout first thing in the morning most days. I'm a powerlifter, and it's HARD for me to eat in the morning. I usually do a shake and banana...and that's really all I can take without feeling sick. Try to start with something more liquid than solid food if it's hard for you to eat in the AM. Once you've gotten used to that, try to add something small. For me, a banana is my cut off. Anything more makes me super ill.

Chieflrg

I'm a powerlifter with a autoimmune disease that effects my hands, feet, hips, knees especially early in the morning. Literally takes me 20-30 minutes not to walk without a extemely noticeable limp. All my connective tissues are affected as well.

I usually just soak some steel oats with whey protien in a shaker & store in the fridge.overnight . It tastes like a actual shake in the morning.

It gives me +30g of protien, leucine, creatine, and a decent amount of carbs to fuel my lifting sessions that last 2-3 hours.

It's easy to digest which also leaves more energy for training.

Good luck.

CharlieCharlie007

I get up to train at gym at 3 a.m. I do not eat before. I take bcaas. I train for two hours and have no hunger.

K_EDSwarrior

chunky_pinup wrote: »

I opened this the day you posted it and was curious about your user name, but didn't want to pry. I have EDS too, and can really only workout first thing in the morning most days. I'm a powerlifter, and it's HARD for me to eat in the morning. I usually do a shake and banana...and that's really all I can take without feeling sick. Try to start with something more liquid than solid food if it's hard for you to eat in the AM. Once you've gotten used to that, try to add something small. For me, a banana is my cut off. Anything more makes me super ill.

Ha...i hate creating usernames! Im going to grab some shake ingredients this weekend and give it a go on Monday. Sometimes the energy levels are OK during the workout but i crash mid-morning....and sometimes i struggle in the gym...its a bit up and down. Thanks for the tips and good luck with your training....Its inspiring to find other EDS'ers that are managing to not let it win :-)

K_EDSwarrior

Chieflrg wrote: »

I'm a powerlifter with a autoimmune disease that effects my hands, feet, hips, knees especially early in the morning. Literally takes me 20-30 minutes not to walk without a extemely noticeable limp. All my connective tissues are affected as well.

I usually just soak some steel oats with whey protien in a shaker & store in the fridge.overnight . It tastes like a actual shake in the morning.

It gives me +30g of protien, leucine, creatine, and a decent amount of carbs to fuel my lifting sessions that last 2-3 hours.

It's easy to digest which also leaves more energy for training.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tips. I hear a lot about overnight oats...maybe this is the push I need to give them a go! I hear you on the morning walking...i refer to it as the evolution of man for me.....i start pretty hunched and eventually get to standing straight up :-)

Chieflrg

K_EDSwarrior wrote: »

Chieflrg wrote: »

I'm a powerlifter with a autoimmune disease that effects my hands, feet, hips, knees especially early in the morning. Literally takes me 20-30 minutes not to walk without a extemely noticeable limp. All my connective tissues are affected as well.

I usually just soak some steel oats with whey protien in a shaker & store in the fridge.overnight . It tastes like a actual shake in the morning.

It gives me +30g of protien, leucine, creatine, and a decent amount of carbs to fuel my lifting sessions that last 2-3 hours.

It's easy to digest which also leaves more energy for training.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tips. I hear a lot about overnight oats...maybe this is the push I need to give them a go! I hear you on the morning walking...i refer to it as the evolution of man for me.....i start pretty hunched and eventually get to standing straight up :-)

Exactly the same evo, I have to give myself a tiny pep talk just to walk downstairs to use every wall, ceiling, and hand rail to brace myself .

emilysusana

I make a yummy shake with almond milk, vanilla whey protein and banana. Then I drink about half of it on the way to the gym and the rest either as I work out (if I’m feeling energy low), or right after (when most people do the protein shake). I feel great. Sometimes I’m not hungry for more breakfast afterwards but sometimes I’ll do a yogurt or hard boiled egg to get me through the rest of the morning.

LJay89

Cahgetsfit wrote: »

TrishSeren wrote: »

75 minutes of lifting a day for a newbie is pretty intense, no wonder you're exhausted. I've been lifting for nearly 12 years and never done a 75-minute lifting workout in my life.

How many rest days do you have?

This. I have been lifting for a while now and I do my workouts in 45-60 mins tops. Not sure why you need to work out for 75mins? Do you cardio as well as lift?

Sorry but mine can sometimes take that long. If you are going heavy and need the rest plus warm up sets. All adds up. Wouldn't necessarily do it everyday.

kgs0201

I’m absolutely in love with the Beachbody performance series. I drink Energize before my early morning workouts and then drink my Recover drink after. It’s made such a huge difference in my energy levels and my muscle recovery. I’m no longer sore after every workout.

Amazing job getting in 75 minutes of weight lifting! I also have EDS and I’m still struggling with doing more strength training than cardio. I know I should but cardio burns calories faster and I like it better. Of course my body and my joints hate it.

jasonpoihegatama

You can try a pre workout before workout , drink BCAA when you work out, and have and protein after your workout . you should get your carbs in!

K_EDSwarrior

kgs0201 wrote: »

I’m absolutely in love with the Beachbody performance series. I drink Energize before my early morning workouts and then drink my Recover drink after. It’s made such a huge difference in my energy levels and my muscle recovery. I’m no longer sore after every workout.

Amazing job getting in 75 minutes of weight lifting! I also have EDS and I’m still struggling with doing more strength training than cardio. I know I should but cardio burns calories faster and I like it better. Of course my body and my joints hate it.

One thing I have found which has astounded me is the stronger i get, the less pain i feel. My pain was always in the following areas (highest pain area first): Core, knees, ankles, fingers. Since ditching the cardio for pure weight/resistance training the pain in my core has massively reduced...like HUGELY reduced. I still struggle with my knees but multiple surgeries probably doesnt help. Anyhoo....just wanted to share that I was a cardio bunny for years......and I have now been a pure Weights Bunny for around 4 months now and the benefits are massive in pain levels, strength and aesthetics. :-)