Working out on an empty stomach?

VanessaVegana
VanessaVegana Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?
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Replies

  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
    I don't see any reason why that would be true. I would be utterly miserable and pretty low on energy if I didn't have a little something before the gym in the morning.
  • robert5891
    robert5891 Posts: 29
    Vanessa,

    that is an old myth that has been proven false...all it does is utilize stored energy in your body as opposed to whatever quick digesting carbs you may typically ingest in a pre-workout meal.
  • KaceeGetsFit
    KaceeGetsFit Posts: 11 Member
    I agree with everyone else! I don't see why it would be true. I also can't get a good workout in if I don't have at least a little something for energy before.
  • shapelyJ
    shapelyJ Posts: 57 Member
    There are actually several benefits of working out on an empty stomach. When you've fasted for a while your bodys energy supply will be depleted and in order to produce the energy needed for a workout the body will dip into the stored supply i.e the fat.

    I always try to get my cardio done before breakfast, then fuel up afterward.



    For more info there are several articles on pre-meal workouts and also some scientific papers written on the subject>

    http://greatist.com/fitness/why-you-should-exercise-on-an-empty-stomach

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-active-times/shocking-benefits-of-exer_b_5207788.html
  • shapelyJ
    shapelyJ Posts: 57 Member
    Although this is a method that I have found works great for me, I'm sure it's not for everyone!
  • Hell_Flower
    Hell_Flower Posts: 348 Member
    Find out what works for you - for me I do work out first thing in a morning on an empty stomach, but more because I have slow digestion and I refuse to spend the hour workout wanting to vomit it all back up.

    Although to be honest, I have felt like it's been beneficial to my weight loss, although that could all be in my head.
  • AnnaVee84
    AnnaVee84 Posts: 345 Member
    The MFP blog just posted about this!

    blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/08/does-fasted-cardio-really-burn-more-fat/
  • Jennilyn79
    Jennilyn79 Posts: 30 Member
    Newer research has shown that's wrong. I'll admit when you first do it, it's hard because you're not used to it but it's all I do now and very easy to do. It only took me 2 days to get used to it. There's some great information on intermittent fasting out there which is basically what you're doing. I've found this to be the easiest and most effective way I've lost weight and especially body fat. Check out this link, it includes info about working out while fasted http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/08/06/a-beginners-guide-to-intermittent-fasting/
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Some people have success with it, some don't. Personally I loved getting up and running on an empty stomach. After 2-3 runs I got used to it and then far preferred running that way. Give it a try and see how you feel. If its not for you, then try something different.
  • CupcakeCrusoe
    CupcakeCrusoe Posts: 1,412 Member
    I try to run before breakfast, unless I'm running more than 10k. When I run more than 10k, I make sure I get a good breakfast in, carbs and protein, an hour or two beforehand so that I have some additional energy for all the endurance work.
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    I work out on an empty stomach every morning. That is what works for me and may or may not work for others. I don't know, or really care, if it burns more or less calories.
  • YalithKBK
    YalithKBK Posts: 317 Member
    I do not eat before I work out in the morning for two reasons: One, I get those stomach cramps very easily so I'd have to wait at least an hour after eating before doing anything slightly vigorous and I don't have that kind of time. Two, I like just getting it over with for the day. In general, I prefer working out in the morning because I feel like it snaps me awake more than any caffeine could ever do.

    As far as weight loss goes, I have also worked out in the evenings (after I've eaten breakfast and lunch) and I haven't noticed a difference in my weight loss between the two times.
  • rainbow1974
    rainbow1974 Posts: 48 Member
    If I didn't do my work out as soon as I got up, I don't think I would get it done at all!! I tend to have my breakfast afterwards
  • MissDetermined335
    MissDetermined335 Posts: 22 Member
    I tried this- and my body felt really quite weak compared to when i eat a small bowel of cereal before i workout. However, i have found that It does also depend on how your body feels that day. Some mornings all i need is literally a few mouth fulls of milk and i can go and do a 1.5 hour workout for example.

    I wouldn't recommend training on an empty stomach though generally if it makes you feel bad- as longs as you don't eat to much before you train, and it's healthy, your body will only benefit. Who wants to work out feeling weak and light headed?

    If you're body copes fine training on no food, then go for it. It's all about you personally learning to read your own body- we're not all the same.
  • MissDetermined335
    MissDetermined335 Posts: 22 Member
    Suggestion also: Try using a heart rate monitor that shows your calories burned- do exactly the same workout two days in a row, the only variable to change would be do one after eating food before, and the other workout without food. Compare to see the difference! Post the results here. That would be interesting.
  • 60sPanda
    60sPanda Posts: 303 Member
    You have really got to experiment to find what works. On weekdays I swim 2km on a completely empty stomach (not even a drink) and I am perfectly fine. On Saturdays, I have a cup of tea first and find no difference in performance.
  • knitapeace
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    I get side stitches if I eat before I run. After over a year of working out at 5am without eating beforehand I've grown used to it. I don't think it's any better or worse than the other way round, just what works for me. Also I don't like things sloshing around in my stomach when I'm working out...just the other day I took 2 drinks of water before starting my warmup and I was sloshing like crazy during my jumping jacks. Hard to do those when you're giggling.
  • thegilly6
    thegilly6 Posts: 137 Member
    Here's a blog post on this very subject:

    http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/08/does-fasted-cardio-really-burn-more-fat/
  • BlueButterfly94
    BlueButterfly94 Posts: 303 Member
    I can't eat before I exercise anyway; my stomach hurts if I run, and feels really bloated and like I'm not making any progress with other exercise.
  • dancingj2
    dancingj2 Posts: 4,572 Member
    When I exercise in the early morning I often will have a cup of coffee or tea and then exercise. I do not exercise without eating for any possible benefit. I do it so that I can get my exercise done and move on with my day. Also in the early morning I find that I am just not hungry. After exercise and a shower I am ready for breakfast.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?

    Not more calories but more calories from fat. Generally it isn't any better than doing it later in the day since you're just working against your calorie intake but there is an added benefit. You're training your body to use fat for fuel and if you're doing any sort of endurance work this is a huge huge plus.

    Try it out and see if you like it. There's no need to eat before you workout in the morning unless you want to.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?

    Not more calories but more calories from fat. Generally it isn't any better than doing it later in the day since you're just working against your calorie intake but there is an added benefit. You're training your body to use fat for fuel and if you're doing any sort of endurance work this is a huge huge plus.

    Try it out and see if you like it. There's no need to eat before you workout in the morning unless you want to.

    Wouldn't that only be the case if you are exercising long/hard enough to deplete your glycogen stores?
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Bump because I see more preference answers than does it burn more fat in answer.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?

    Not more calories but more calories from fat. Generally it isn't any better than doing it later in the day since you're just working against your calorie intake but there is an added benefit. You're training your body to use fat for fuel and if you're doing any sort of endurance work this is a huge huge plus.

    Try it out and see if you like it. There's no need to eat before you workout in the morning unless you want to.

    Wouldn't that only be the case if you are exercising long/hard enough to deplete your glycogen stores?

    Hmm someone knows a little something here. I would like to see studies on how fasted cardio burns more fat? It be something to laugh at.
  • jtrack3d
    jtrack3d Posts: 91
    I think the jury is still out according to that MFP Blog. That is, it appears to help short run, but doesn't help long run... appears to be their experts' opinion.
  • knk1553
    knk1553 Posts: 438 Member
    I do my workouts on an empty stomach in the morning, but thats purely out of preference, however for long runs (more than 6 miles) I do eat a bar of some sort before the run, otherwis I lose energy, or if I'm working out for more than 60 minutes I'll eat a little something. I don't really see any benefit other than the fact that I don't have to wakeup at 4am to eat before my morning workout.
  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?

    Not more calories but more calories from fat. Generally it isn't any better than doing it later in the day since you're just working against your calorie intake but there is an added benefit. You're training your body to use fat for fuel and if you're doing any sort of endurance work this is a huge huge plus.

    Try it out and see if you like it. There's no need to eat before you workout in the morning unless you want to.

    Newer studies have shown that actually it burns calories from Muscle first which is the total opposite of what you want ! Here are two recent and referenced articles if you are interested further.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-myth-of-cardio-before-breakfast-debunked.html

    http://www.burnthefatinnercircle.com/members/369.cfm
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?

    Not more calories but more calories from fat. Generally it isn't any better than doing it later in the day since you're just working against your calorie intake but there is an added benefit. You're training your body to use fat for fuel and if you're doing any sort of endurance work this is a huge huge plus.

    Try it out and see if you like it. There's no need to eat before you workout in the morning unless you want to.

    Newer studies have shown that actually it burns calories from Muscle first which is the total opposite of what you want ! Here are two recent and referenced articles if you are interested further.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-myth-of-cardio-before-breakfast-debunked.html

    http://www.burnthefatinnercircle.com/members/369.cfm

    It does. I am so surprised. I did not know that.

    Source: is my second weight loss attempt and I learned from it.
  • rogerOb1
    rogerOb1 Posts: 318 Member
    I heard working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning burns more calories and fat. Is this true? What are the benefits of doing this?

    Not more calories but more calories from fat. Generally it isn't any better than doing it later in the day since you're just working against your calorie intake but there is an added benefit. You're training your body to use fat for fuel and if you're doing any sort of endurance work this is a huge huge plus.

    Try it out and see if you like it. There's no need to eat before you workout in the morning unless you want to.

    Wouldn't that only be the case if you are exercising long/hard enough to deplete your glycogen stores?

    Hmm someone knows a little something here. I would like to see studies on how fasted cardio burns more fat? It be something to laugh at.
    Shapey J's link has links to studies on the subject
  • Hallsoa25
    Hallsoa25 Posts: 5 Member
    Ive been wondering the same thing. Sometimes I grab a banana before I go to work but other times I just drink water. But I start my work out every morning at 6:00am and finish at about 7:30am. I'm just not hungry that early in the morning. I do have a protein shake after my workout as recovery. But is it a bad thing to workout on an empty stomach?

    Also I do have a pre-workout powder (C-4) that I use sometimes but still don't feel a difference.

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