Eating before a workout

healthyandthin

I want to start going to the gym again but I only have time to do it in the morning before school. I know it's suggestive to eat something 45 minutes before a workout. However, given that I'll be exercising in the morning, I don't want to wake up even earlier to get a little food in. I plan on eating breakfast after a workout. What do you think?

wendybird5

I'm the same so I like to get a Powerbar or something like that and eat while I drive to the gym or else I'll get lightheaded at the gym. My trainer used to also have me drink Gatorade while I worked out. I used to water it down 50/50, but it still worked.

kitkatkait

it hasn't been proven that not eating before the workout decreases your performance or causes muscle loss or anything.
A lot of people actually work out while fasting.

snkeller24

I usually eat a yogurt or maybe a cliff bar if I'm rushed for time. Sometimes I don't eat anything ... just have to try some things and see what works for you

MissFit0101

You don't have to eat first. If you can work out and perform just fine without eating breakfast first then go for it. I've done it plenty of times. It won't kill you.

It's what you eat AFTER you work out that counts... i.e Protein!

however, if you feel like you need to eat something just eat a banana (carbs) as soon as you wake up and you should be good to go by the time you get to the gym

razorspells

I think you should eat, maybe grab a cereal bar or something before going to the gym. You need energy for your activities.

aippolito1

It depends on what type of workout. Sometimes 30 minutes of moderate intensity can be done without food but just remember that once you've used the little energy in your body, you will either throw up or not have enough energy to go on with your workout so you should eat something even light. Banana? Cereal? If you drive to your gym, just the drive could be enough time to let it settle if you're not doing any intense cardio or fast movements.

twowheelhooligan

I actually get sick if I have much food in me before working out. HOWEVER, depends on what I do! If I'm swimming 2000yds, then I'll most certainly require fuel about an hour before. That give me enough time to settle, usually something relatively bland like almonds and a PBJ.

Biking - I need to eat maybe 2hours before. PLUS SIDE is I can hydrate as I work out.

RUN - same as biking for most part.

LIFTING - I don't lift heavy, just for tone and to help me with the three above. I can eat 30-45 min before.

BUT. . all that being said, that is what works for *ME*! Some people can drink gatorade in midst of a 50mile bike ride, others will just get sick.

Big think is recovery and not going from 1/2 tank to empty NOW, and then feeling really really crappy!

Best of luck in finding your Zen!

2-wheel

Pebble321

I think it depends how long and how intense your workout will be.
I exercise in the morning and I don't tend to eat unless I'm running for more than an hour. If it's only 30 - 45 mins I just have water (or maybe a coffee) and eat breakfast afterwards.
I suggest that you try not eating and try eating and see which works best for you.

jchester71

I am in the same boat timewise. Except on the weekend I am in the gym before class or work. I don't always eat b efore my workout (which is heavy 45-60 minutes of weight training followed by 30 minutes of cardio). 25-35% of the time I work out fasted, the rest of the time I eat very light (like a banana or 1/2 a LARA bar) on the way to the gym, and then eat breakfast after I work out, before I head to school.

healthyandthin

I can walk to the gym in about 10 minutes and my workout lasts 30-45 minutes. I guess I'll give either option a try.

chinadoll725

I hired a trainer to make me out a personalized plan; if working out in the am he had me fast before cardio- have my first meal after doing my cardio and on wight lifting day have a protein shake and banana within an hour before lifting and another protein shake and a complex carb within an hour after lifting. :-)