Question for a.m. exercisers

lodicox7

I'm trying to get into the routine of exercising in the mornings which really isn't something I've ever done before. My question is when do all you morning exercisers find is the best time to eat breakfast? This morning I ate a banana and had a glass of water before working out and then threw it up about 20 minutes after my workout. I thought it would be good to have at least something on my stomach. I'm in relatively decent shape and I've never thrown up after a workout before. Would I be better off eating after exercising? Any opinions would be helpful, thanks!

jr1985

I work out in the morning and I have to eat after my work out, like you, if I eat before I'll throw it all up... Or I'll have to go at a slow enough pace to keep it down... which I don't feel gives me a great work out.

thecrossfitter

I typically eat after my workout, just because I am NOT a morning person and I'm not hungry at 5:30 in the morning. Sometimes though I will eat something light (a small handful of almonds, half a sweet potato).

brandyk77

what exactly are you doing in your workout? I normally don't eat before morning workouts in the week. On the weekend, I will as I am often going longer than 1 or 2 hrs.

MISSMILL3405

I have been working out in the morning for about 4 weeks now. I always eat AFTER my workout. However, I do get up and drink a full glass of ice water before I start. There are a ton of studies. Some say you should eat before and and others that say you should eat after. I just like the idea of getting my metabolism working before my day really starts. Good luck and I hope this helps.

sandy2006

I eat breakfast every morning before my workout. I obviously wait about 45 minutes after I ate but then I go workout. I also have a snack after.

ahealthy4u

A lot of people don’t like to work out on a full stomach for it makes them sick. But if you find yourself needing a little something a light snack I would suggest. For me I drink my water mostly for it fills me up along with my work out drink. Then when I am all done I mix up a healthy Smoothie

n_unocero

If i plan on just doing cardio i eat after. but if i plan on doing some weight training along with the cardio i make sure to eat something at least a half hour before so that i have the extra cals and energy to get through. like today i had a smal PB&J sandwich about an hour before i worked out.

CALake

I eat after. If I ate before and waited 45 minutes I'd have to get up that much earlier! 6am comes early enough for me!

JudyPMorg

A little water before I exercise, water during exercise. Cup of coffee afterwards, breakfast later. I haven't been able to eat before working out. Do what works for you.

lawkat

It depends on what kind of exercise you are doing. On my shorter runs, I only have a cup of coffee and eat after my run. On my longer runs (over an hour), I will have a banana and a cup of coffee before my run and then eat something more substantial after my run. When I do my really long slow runs, I have a little bit more to keep me sustained.

theoneandonlybrookie

I eat breakfast way later. I do, however, chug a cup of coffee before my workout, and I do drink water. It's never bothered my stomach but I know many folks would have an issue with getting nauseous from the coffee.

becka63

I think it's an individual thing. I used to exercise on empty but found myself feeling lightheaded, however, when I was doing c25k, I had no problems about setting out straightaway for a run then coming back and eating. For other exercise, I have my breakfast, allow it to settle, and then workout. Like I said, I think it's an individual thing!

bciochetti

Before and After.
Up at 5 and have cereal and a pre-workout supplement.
Gym from 530-645ish.
Back home for 7 and have a protein shake and a banana.

pa_jorg

I get up, workout, get ready for the day and drive to work. I don't eat until I'm at my desk (often coffee and oatmeal), which is usually 3 hours after I first wake up. It may not be the best habit, but I can't stomach anything before a workout and I don't have enough time immediately afterward.

By the way, In the group section, we had an Early Bird Club for those who want to encourage one another on their morning workouts. No one seems to be posting anymore, but if anyone new would like to join that would be great!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1146-early-bird-club

lodicox7

Lots of good advice here. Thanks everyone!

MsTanya77

I don't eat in the mornings before I work out DEPENDING on the workout. If I do a very high intensity workout, I will eat something small like a yogurt and half a banana, so I won't get dizzy in the middle of the workout. But typically I do not eat before a morning workout.

PrincessKittenpants

I can only stomach water before a work out:yawn:

kimdoeshair

I have a protien smoothie with 1/2 a banana before I work out. I always wait an hour after my smoothie to do my workout. If I was going to work out earlier than 9 I would work out first. Puking is bad.

thump418

I eat after I work out. Start about 7:15 every morning. The P90X routine i do stipulates that you shouldn't eat at least an hour before you work out so I always eat after. I think if you eat right before you could get sick or light headed. I know that if I eat before I go for a run, after a mile into it I am feeling very light headed and weak. Hope this helps.

lacroyx

On the days I do work in the AM I stop eating by 5AM. Gives me 2 hours before I get off work. I made a mistake of excercising too soon after eating and the end result wasn't pretty

kcmomof2

If I am doing an Insanity video or running less than 6 miles I do not eat breakfast before my workout. If I am running 6 miles or more then I eat a banana about 15-20 minutes before my run.

WBSJR

iv'e heard of others who experience throwing up if they eat before... fortunately, i'm not one of them. my body requires some food before or i don;t have any energy. i think it is different for each person and you have to find/do what is right for you. have you tried a protein or energy drink before hand? i eat a protein bar 1/2 before i work out, which helps it to settle a bit. i'm sure if I ate a large, unhealthy breakfast i'd probably puke it up too. i hated AM workout in the past... not a morning person. now that i've adjusted my routine, i get up between 4:30 - 5:00am and hit the gym. best part is that is the least crowded at that time (no wait on machines) and it's a great way to start the day. good luck and Godspeed!

Teksavvy

I've tried working out without eating. It wasn't nearly as intense because I felt light headed. I do a banana and water and then eat a full breakfast afterwards. I tried once (to save time), eat a real breakfast first and felt like it was going to come up.

If your body needs energy, maybe it needs something lighter. What about a glass of chocolate milk?

cspamomof2

I have to eat something, so I'm up around 5, having coffee and an Atkins bar by 5:30. Usually hit the gym between 6 and 6:15. I find if I don't have something before, then I have absolutely no energy. Then I have my normal breakfast when I get home, which is usually around 8am.

MiAmorDeanna

I eat breakfast every morning before my workout. I obviously wait about 45 minutes after I ate but then I go workout. I also have a snack after.

I do the same as well.

CollegeGirl19

I have a massive stash of mini Luna bars that are just perfect for me to munch on during my walk to the gym. I prefer to have a little bit of energy in me. It makes me feel like I can go longer and harder.

thepetiterunner

I tend to eat after my workout, but that's just me. I know lots of people who eat before. I just can't handle having something in my stomach that early. I also sometimes eat a bowl of cereal at night before bed if I'm worried about being drained of energy for my morning workout. THis also serves as my "late night" snack. A bowl of special K with red berries is sort of a treat for me

IMYarnCraz33

I used to exercise before eating.... now I eat and wait at least an hour b4 my workout.
Then after my workout I have a protein shake.

SithZombie

I'm usually up at 4:30, at the gym before 5 and don't leave until around 6:30 (Weightlifting). I'll eat around 7. The first day I ate then exercised, I spent a good amount of time afterwards feeling like crap!

knelson422

When training for my races last year, if I was running more than 6 miles I had whole wheat toast with PB and sliced banana right before I ran. I had to change my exercise routine, so now I do DVD's in the early AM. I don't eat anything before I do them, they are about an hour.