Do you eat before working out ?

Mario_Az

if training morning then no i don't eat if night then yes but i wait about a hour before

MelisaBegins

I work-out in the morning Mon - Sat and always have 1/2 a banana or else I feel shaky and dizzy, but more than that and my tummy isn't super happy. I usually run a couple of treadmill miles in the evening and can do this right after dinner on a full stomach if I need to. It's weird, our bodies. I definitely think it's personal preference and trying what works for you.

Pirate_chick

I tried once, never again. I wound up puking halfway through.

bludflower

I have to eat something small (an apple or some peanut butter on a slice of bread) before I work out in the morning, otherwise I'll feel dizzy and sluggish. Later in the day, it doesn't really matter. As long as I've eaten something within the last few hours, I'm good to go. Also, I drink water throughout my workouts, and there's nothing worse than having water swish around in my otherwise empty stomach.

kelly_e_montana

I eat 50 g of starchy carbs before a workout, usually with shake of protein powder and unsweetened coconut milk, usually 1 1/2 hours before a workout. I basically try to do the same after. I hit many more personal records in lifting and have better times in swimming, running, and CrossFit when my workout is fueled (that's just my own personal experience).

SugaryLynx

I will typically eat something carby about 30 minutes to an hour before my training. Just for energy, not for any other reason.

Elsie_Brownraisin

If I eat before running or swimming I usually end up needing the loo halfway through :embarassed:

allaboutthecake

When are you going to the gym? After you wake up? After you work all day? Timing of your meals would depend on if you are hungry or not. If you are hungry, of course your workouts will be impacted by lack of energy. If you aren't hungry at all, then they shouldn't be impacted.


Case in point: decades ago, I used to have 4oz protein before a high-intensity cardio to keep from glycemic level dropping like a rock.
Tuesday: not enough breakfast prior to my bike ride. No endurance and had to cut it short. Absolutely tanked on that one.
Friday: big enough breakfast prior to my bike ride led to not having to re-feed for endurance.

craftywitch_63

This is one of those things that really is a matter of personal preference. It can take some experimentation to figure out what works for you. For me, I need some carbs and some protein before I lift in order to get the best workout. But with running I need just carbs. I can't workout fasted; I end up light headed.

I know a ton of people who can only workout fasted and who get nauseous if they try to eat first.

Try it a couple of different ways and see what allows you to workout with the most intensity.

^^^^This. Not only do I have to have a large snack before I do any exercise of any kind to avoid getting nauseated, fatigued and passing out, but I often have to have a protein shake about 1/2 way through my workout as well, then afterwards I usually eat dinner. I am not advocating this for everyone, of course.

A question does come to mind. If you're fasting before lifting or cardio, where are you getting the energy to burn calories (fat requires carbs to begin the burning process) or build muscle (which we all know takes protein)?

MelissR75

I'm in the gym at 5am so no, I don't eat before. I usually sip a cup of green tea or coffee on the way there. It hasn't had any negative affect on me. I eat right after and feel great :flowerforyou:

dixiewhiskey

I used to but not so much anymore.. I don't feel that fatigued feeling I thought I used to feel if I didn't eat before my workout

ninerbuff

You have to find an approach that works for you and that may involve experimentation.

Personally for me, I train fasted (with the exception of BCAA's before) meaning my last meal was more than 10 hours prior. Works for me and I'm no slouch.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Leadfoot_Lewis

I always eat about 1-1.5 hours before I workout and again immediately afterwards.

jcranston13

I will repeat what many here have said, you have to experiment to find what gives you the best performance. I found for me personally, I used to go in completely fasted (15 hrs) and have no energy issues. Over time though I noticed my performance decreasing. I experimented again to see what might help and found that for me 25 grams of simple carbs ~15 minutes before my training session works wonders at this time in my routine.

You have to be willing to experiment and only change one variable at a time. I tried 12.5 grams for a week or two then bumped it to 25 grams. I found that caffeine on legs days kills my workout as well. Be willing to change and adapt when performance drops over time.

ClementineGeorg

I try not to workout on a full stomach, so I space my workouts and meals/snacks depending on what I eat.
I feel bad when I workout on an full stomach, especially when doing intensive exercises (nice way to say I feel like pucking).

Nikoruo

It's usually a good idea to eat after a workout because then you're fueling yourself from all the hard work you just accomplished. I myself tend to just eat whenever i feel like it or whenever it's most convenient. Since i work out so close to bed time i either come home from work and jump straight to working out or i'll cook, eat and then workout and pass out after it. depends on how tired i am or how i feel or whatnot. A good meal tends to make me sleepy so doing it before is not ideal for me since it would make me not want to do it anymore hhaha

katro111

I'll eat something light, like a clif bar or something about an hour before. If I eat more/too close to workout time I get gnarly heartburn.