Working out on an empty stomach?

musikalmami237
musikalmami237 Posts: 214 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I heard that it's best to work out in the morning before you eat... is this true? Thanks!

Replies

  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    I heard that it's best to work out in the morning before you eat... is this true? Thanks!

    My nutritionist said eat if I'm hungry before morning workout, if not dont. Listen to your body. I dont suggest however having a huge breakfast and running 10 miles :wink:
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    If everything we heard about fitness were true, we would have to exercise before and after (and during) every meal but also never at all.

    In the grand scheme it doesn't make a ton of difference. The best time to work out is when it best fits your schedule, so that you can be consistent. If you find yourself having indigestion or acid reflux because you're eating too soon after a meal, eat earlier or workout later. And so on.

    Figuring out these little details about yourself and your routine is what will enable you to be hugely successful, no gimmicks :flowerforyou:
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  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I can't eat before I work out.

    However some people can't work out if they don't eat first.

    Do what works for you! :)
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I heard that it's best to work out in the morning before you eat... is this true? Thanks!

    My nutritionist said eat if I'm hungry before morning workout, if not dont. Listen to your body. I dont suggest however having a huge breakfast and running 10 miles :wink:

    ^^this
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    It depends. Depends on the person, depends on teh workout. I find I can go for a run before breakfast no problem, but any strength or weight work will make me dizzy.
  • missttl
    missttl Posts: 5
    Fasted cardio is a big thing in the body building world. I tell you something thou, I am a body builder and thru the years I have done the dreaded fasted cardio session in the morning, the low intensity, not even breaking into a sweat one. I heated it!! So I stopped doing it and instead I did 20 mins of super mega high intensity, going out of breath, kill myself, session after my weights or on its own and only twice a week. Not only I had the best, fasted fat loss ever, but I spare my muscles and most importantly my sanity! No way you can train like a lunatic like I did on an empty stomach thou, you will pass out! I have a totally different approach now and I only do the low intensity long duration cardio 2 weeks prior to a show and just for cosmetic reasons, ie shedding water in the tissues to have the 'ripped' look, water that you need to replace anyway. In terms of fat loss I don't think it will make a whole lot of difference whether you eat or not. I suggest to have a protein shake of low carbs whey with some BCAA 30 mins prior to your w/out, then you have another 30 mins window after for a recovery meal and unless you can go home and eat a proper meal, I suggest you have another protein shake (25gr protein) then in 1 hour have a protein rich meal. Stay low on carbs (big myth you need carbs for energy to train!!!) and you will be getting lean in no time, guaranteed
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    my weight workouts and cardio come after work, so my last big meal is lunch (chicken and pasta) then i have a snack (wise pretzel thins) at about 4pm.

    get to the gym around 530-6, workout for a total of 1.5 hours. get a shake there and go home
  • jheller
    jheller Posts: 194
    Recent studies published by the NY Times does support this but it all depends on what you are doing. I think if you have a long, intense workout planned that you are probably better off having a small serving of protein prior to your work out but you need to see what works for you.
  • LeonnieH
    LeonnieH Posts: 209 Member
    Experiment to see what works best for you. Personally I find eating breakfast after my workout is best for me, but I only workout for about 30 to 60 minutes. I think any longer and I might then need to eat beforehand but it would need to be a couple hours before as I can't run with food in my stomach, bleugh :)
  • musikalmami237
    musikalmami237 Posts: 214 Member
    Thanks everyone! I appreciate the advice.
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    i need to eat before i workout otherwise i feel like i half-@ss my workouts, especially if i workout early in the morning.

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