cardio after a fast - how soon do I need to eat?

HonestOmnivore

I'm sure this has been asked before - but I wasn't able to find my answer!

I currently do between 35 and 45 minutes of aerobic exercise first thing in the morning. I'm planning on adding swimming to this a few days a week. The reason I do the aerobic first thing is mostly convenience! Here's my current then future schedule.


CURRENT:
5:15 Get up and dressed
5:25 take BP (I track that) and drink water
5:30 - 6:15 Elliptical Machine (use HRM to determine effort level)
6:15- 6:30 Stretch and crunches/ push ups depending on the day of the week
6:30 - 7:00 Shower and Dress for work
7:30-8:00 Breakfast check MFP and email

PROPOSED:
5:00 Get up and dressed
5:10 take BP and drink water
5:15 - 6:00 Elliptical Machine
6:00 - 6:15 Stretching and crunches/push-ups
6:15 - 6:30 breakfast
6:45-7:15 Swim (at nearby rec center) Swim and walk laps until I can swim for 30 minutes)
7:30-8:00 shower and dress for work

Question - in my current schedule, am I waiting too long to eat? I'm still a good 50 lbs overweight so there is PLENTY of fuel stored on-board!!! My usual breakfast is either low-fat cottage cheese with fruit or low-fat Greek yogurt with fiber cereal. I don't like to eat before the elliptical because I push myself (using my HRM) and if I eat first I have to fight the urge to vomit when my intensity goes up.

I'm guessing I'll need to eat before I swim (eat a little something - usual portion is 1/2 cup of dairy with 1/3 cup fruit or 1/2 cup cereal).

I live close to the fitness center and I think I can eat and change into my swim suit before I leave the house - and be in the pool within 30 minutes total. I'm planning on using the kick board and other flotation devices while I work back into my swim form... Two days a week I'd like to take a Spinning class that starts at 6:30 so I'd probably do less elliptical on those mornings to back up my schedule. I can't get up earlier than 5:00 if I want to (and I DO) get in at least 7 hours of sleep.

HonestOmnivore

bump

HonestOmnivore

bump?

milesje

If you are waiting too long to eat really depends on the rest of your meals. If you are only eating three meals a day then no you are NOT waiting too long, on the other hand if you are eating 5-6 smaller meals then you may be close to waiting too late but that would be determined by when you eat your other meals. It would be best to eat 5-6 smaller meals during the day because it will keep your matabolism at a higher rate.

HonestOmnivore

Thanks!