Thoughts on Food and Working Out in the Morning

bradwwood

Hi,

Just this week I started P90X for my first time. Before I got the disks, I didn't realize the length of the routines each day, and I'm finding it difficult to find time after work to get the routine in along with all the other life stuff.

I'm pondering the idea of getting up early enough to do the routine before going to work, but then I start thinking about food and energy for the routine.

Curious about thoughts on early morning workouts, food, and having the energy you need to get through the hour+ (particularly on days like Plyometrics)

Thanks

- Brad

SideSteel

Hi,

Just this week I started P90X for my first time. Before I got the disks, I didn't realize the length of the routines each day, and I'm finding it difficult to find time after work to get the routine in along with all the other life stuff.

I'm pondering the idea of getting up early enough to do the routine before going to work, but then I start thinking about food and energy for the routine.

Curious about thoughts on early morning workouts, food, and having the energy you need to get through the hour+ (particularly on days like Plyometrics)

Thanks

- Brad

I would experiment freely in this area. See how your training goes if you train completely fasted (nothing wrong with it if it meets your preferences/performance needs). You'll know after one or two workouts whether or not you can do this.

Works great for me but I also eat buttloads of food late at night.

Keiras_Mom

I'm doing C25K which I'm sure is NOT even remotely as challenging as your workout, but I don't find any difference in performance with fasted workouts v's eating before hand. YMMV, but there's actually been some recent research about the benefits of exercising in a fasted state.

KalieHudson

I do P90X in the morning before I have breakfast. Just make sure that you eat properly the day before and you should be fine.

hendinerik

You're going to get very diff responses on this I'm sure.... but for me, I find I need to do it either first thing in the morning before my appetite has "woken up" OR in afternoon (my office has a gym) - for me I like to get workouts in early or they may not happen.

However if I do it first thing in the AM and I have not eaten much the night before sometimes I feel a bit weak - so there's a happy medium somewhere there.

It's a great way to start the day though!

kmbweber2014

I have to work out in the morning at 5 am. So I typically make a protein shake before heading off to the gym. I find that if I don't I don't have the needed energy to give my workout my full 100%.

waylandcool

I usually workout every morning (usually done by 8AM) and I like to have an protein bar about 20 minutes before I start (the bar of choice lately is a EAS Lean 15 bar). If I don't, I have found I get hungry mid workout and run out of steam. As a note, my workouts usually top 1000 calories burned. I always have a protein shake right afterwards as well.

terra32903

I hit the gym for a 5:45 Spin Class each morning. Sunday nights I hard boil 6 eggs to get me through the week. I crack one on my way out the door. It's just enough protein to power me through the hour class. Then after class I have a 'real' breakfast.

Denise1224

I agree you could try it with nothing but if that doesn't work (and I hate working out on a full stomach) then try maybe a banana one piece of toast or a yogurt... just some light fuel for the workout then you can eat to finish breakfast after the workout is over. That's usually what I do when I go to bootcamp on Saturday mornings. Just something light so I don't feel weak during the hour workout.

skinnyforhi

I'm not doing P90X but 4 weeks ago I started working out in the morning and it was the single best thing I have done for myself since joining MFP. I too was worried about energy levels first thing in the morning--but I wasn't able to consistently exercise after work so something had to give.

I get up 30 minutes before I go to the gym or studio and have a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter or avocado and 6 ounces of orange or grapefruit juice (100% juice--nothing with added sugar). I find that the juice gives me a quick burst of energy in the morning.

I would say try it and see what works for you. Don't forget to drink a glass of water before your workout and stay hydrated throughout. I find water particularly crucial to morning workouts because you are also deyhdrated.

Good luck!

FiveElevenClimb

I work out in the fasted state. That means i get up at 2:30, yes 2:30, am to get my workout done and ti works great. I have also done p90x a few times and have found that, like it has been said, it is crucial to eat right the night before or i feel weak in my lifts. If you wait for the end of the day things tend to interfere.

OspreyVista

My routine: When I wake up, I have a cup of coffee. Work out, shower, breakfast It works perfect for me! Doesn't mean it will for you, but it's an idea you could try.

PennStateChick

Like everyone said, it's your preference. It took me a while to figure mine out. I do this:
Wake Up
Peanut Butter Toast, 24 oz of Water, and a cup of coffee
Workout: Currently doing Turbo Fire in the morning (but I've done all different things here - Run, Elliptical, Insanity)
Smoothie

Miche11e5

I've been getting up early to fit my workouts in (P90X a couple of years ago) and don't need food before my workout. I've gotten so used to exercising on an empty stomach that if I try to workout at other times of the day I feel nauseous. Water is critical for me to have during my workouts though. Try it and see how you feel!

Great job!

bradwwood

thanks for all the feedback everyone. I appreciate the input.

I think I'll probably try a banana, water, workout, protein shake, in that order. If that causes problems, I'll adjust and go from there

thanks again

Troublemonster

I always workout in the morning on an empty stomach. Sometimes I use a pre-workout supplement to get myself moving but it's about the same as drinking a redbull really. I have never found myself getting low blood sugar issues or anything like that as long as I ate enough the day before.