exercise on an empty stomach early in the morning

fShaw86

I just wake up, brush my teeth, wash my face, change into workout clothes and go. Maybe drink a glass or two of water. But I cannot eat before I hit the gym. I usually wait 20-30 minutes after I eat, if at all I do, or else I can feel the food swishing around in my stomach, and its not the greatest of feelings.

There are people who fuel up before hitting the gym, but I'm not one of them lol.

ninerbuff

Exercising on an empty stomach will burn the same amount of calories, but your body is more likely breaking down muscle instead of fat. Eat a granola bar 15 minutes before, it's not that hard.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/does-exercising-on-an-empty-stomach-burn-more-fat/

Depends on your glycogen storage level. Also food energy isn't available 15 minutes after eating.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

dbmata

Exercising on an empty stomach will burn the same amount of calories, but your body is more likely breaking down muscle instead of fat. Eat a granola bar 15 minutes before, it's not that hard.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/does-exercising-on-an-empty-stomach-burn-more-fat/

Depends on your glycogen storage level. Also food energy isn't available 15 minutes after eating.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

but... but... a blogger said...

LolBroScience

Exercising on an empty stomach will burn the same amount of calories, but your body is more likely breaking down muscle instead of fat. Eat a granola bar 15 minutes before, it's not that hard.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/does-exercising-on-an-empty-stomach-burn-more-fat/

no....

Sarauk2sf

Cardio - yes

Proper lifting - no

I do 'proper lifting' fasted. No issues at all.

Sarauk2sf

Exercising on an empty stomach will burn the same amount of calories, but your body is more likely breaking down muscle instead of fat. Eat a granola bar 15 minutes before, it's not that hard.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/does-exercising-on-an-empty-stomach-burn-more-fat/

Depends on your glycogen storage level. Also food energy isn't available 15 minutes after eating.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

^^yep. It is highly unlikely you will be depleted - food takes a long time to digest, absorb and be utilized.

jonnythan

If you feel fine, then it's fine.

Personally, if I try to do it I'm liable to simply drop dead if I don't vomit or fall on my face from lack of coordination first.

lovesweetlove

I think you go off how you feel. When I work out early I feel like I have no energy and am going to throw up. I try to have something small: a string cheese or yogurt right when I wake up, or half an apple or cutie. My workouts are usually about 45 min of cardio and half hour or strength so they are quite a bit longer.
I guess eating something small... mentally it can help me to have more energy I guess. Our bodies are amazing to think we can go all night without eating then wake-up and work out. I am a big believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so make sure you have something close to your workout. Good job at being so motivated... getting up early is hard!

Vini9

I say do whatever works for you, it is really about getting the most out of your workout.

Essentially you shouldn't need it. The typical human body has ample energy stores to get you through an hour of intense exercise. In fact eating a bunch of food before a workout can work against you, because digestion sends blood to your stomach and exercise sends blood to your extremities, trying to do both can cause an inefficient use of your bodies resources. My personal physiology is 3 hours before you workout you can have a big meal like lunch, two hours before a workout keep your cals to 300 or less. One hour before keep it to 200 or less and if you need it ten mins before exercise eat fewer then 100 cals like a banana or other fruit. Something all carb is best. This is just what I have found I have worked out at night, in the morning early and currently mid afternoon. You just do what works for you. As I said its really about getting the most out of your workout!! Good luck to you

peggysue218

I run almost every morning at 3am prior to getting myself and my kids (4 & 7) ready for the day. I never eat prior to my runs and have had no issues to date. As long as you eat a good meal after your exercise you should be fine. Base it on how you feel during your workouts.

I'm sorry... does that say 3am? I can't fathom this. I hope you go to bed at 7pm...

selina884

Cardio - yes

Proper lifting - no

I do 'proper lifting' fasted. No issues at all.

If you think about it, there really isn't any issue except you probably don't have as much strength as you would after some nutrition.

If a little loss of muscle isn't of a concern then I agree - theres no harm in doing it at all.

I personally have a preworkout shake before I lift in the mornings.

This is why Pre and post workout nutrition is emphasised and stressed upon so much in the fitness world. The only ppl that think pre workout (lifting) nutrition is of little value seem to be posters on this board.

rachjenn

Hiya :-)

I exercise on an empty stomach most mornings. It helps you burn off the food you ate the day before, rather than the food you've eaten that day. As you need energy, your body uses fat instead of the food (as there's nothing in your stomach) which helps to loose the inches.

I too get up early before work, as I find it hard after work, and it also gives me a boost throughout the day.

Make sure whatever you eat for a few hours after exercising is nothing but healthy...eggs, protein, fish. Nothing naughty!

If you're finding it tough exercising on an empty stomach, do as I do & have a big supper (2x weetabix). I also drink orange juice in the morning if I'm flagging prior to a run.

Hope this helps x

maieranne77

I also workout early, 5am. My trainer suggests that I have 1/2 cup or 1/2 serving of protein drink and a few crackers before I workout. Then I eat a larger breakfast at 8 or 8:30.

Rarity2013

I do yoga as my main exercise and it's a requirement for proper practice that you do it on an empty stomach. Any form of exercise on a full stomach gives me cramps.

mattschwartz01

I think it is really different for each person. I don't work out on an empty stomach because I actually get light-headed and dizzy. If you feel okay working out that way, it may be harmless. However, your best source of advice on this matter is your primary care physician.

lovemitch125

I'm one of those people who at least needs a granola bar and then I'll eat a real breakfast after the workout, unless (like today) I wake up super early (530-6am) to do other things and workout after (around 930-10-ish), then I'll eat breakfast around 7 and workout later.

Sarauk2sf

Cardio - yes

Proper lifting - no

I do 'proper lifting' fasted. No issues at all.

If you think about it, there really isn't any issue except you probably don't have as much strength as you would after some nutrition.

If a little loss of muscle isn't of a concern then I agree - theres no harm in doing it at all.

I personally have a preworkout shake before I lift in the mornings.

This is why Pre and post workout nutrition is emphasised and stressed upon so much in the fitness world. The only ppl that think pre workout (lifting) nutrition is of little value seem to be posters on this board.

Not correct at all. I have trained both fasted and non fasted. I usually train fasted - I lost no muscle during my cut and no loss of strength, assuming I ate enough the day before. There is no empirical evidence that indicates I would have had better results whether I training fasted v non fasted assuming my daily intake was equal so, um, no go with the 'if you are not worried about a little loss of muscle' dig.

It takes hours for your food to digest and absorb food - what someone ate the night before is still in their system. There is absolutely no evidence that training fasted decreases strength or to muscle loss.

Pre and post workout is emphasized so much due to the supplement companies. If you eat within a reasonable time after training, then you are good. If you would like to point me to actual articles/studies that show that training fasted leads to muscle loss i would be very interested.

iamnotjustanumber

I'm Diabetic, on insulin (low dose).... I train every morning on an empty stomach, I check my blood before and after and have NEVER had an issue or dizzy spells or nausia... BUT i eat shortly after...

((Everyone is different... BUT i beleive that lots of people are taking far more sugars in the form of energy bars and drinks than they would EVER be able to burn....... for example, youv'e got to REALLY go some to burn off a whole bottle of 380ml lucozade!))..

EmilyOfTheSun

You don't HAVE to eat before you workout. If you feel fine in the morning, then don't worry about it. If you feel like you're gonna pass out and fall off the elliptical, then you might want to eat something small beforehand. Get something carby to give you energy. I usually have an apple like 5 minutes before I start my workout.

NutellaAddict

If I don't eat 45 mins to 1 hr before I workout I'm usually running out the door looking for something to eat 3/4 through my workout. That's just me though...

mazdauk

Its what works for you. I HAVE to have my cup of tea first, but then I do my workout (20 mins cardio/toning), then get ready for work and have brekkie. I walk before lunch, and I work out when I get home BEFORE dinner. BUT if I'm going to Zumba I make sure I eat, but I need to finish eating about 2 hours beforehand. It depends how energetic you are being. If your sugar is low a quick orange juice will get you going quickly, but its not as good a banana. (But that would make me feel sick).

kuntry_navy

i can't eat before i hit the gym in the morning. it feels like i've got bubble guts when i do. i usually have aminos and a pre-workout, just for that little giddy-up, so i can start within 15minutes of waking

LolBroScience

Cardio - yes

Proper lifting - no

I do 'proper lifting' fasted. No issues at all.

If you think about it, there really isn't any issue except you probably don't have as much strength as you would after some nutrition.

If a little loss of muscle isn't of a concern then I agree - theres no harm in doing it at all.

I personally have a preworkout shake before I lift in the mornings.

This is why Pre and post workout nutrition is emphasised and stressed upon so much in the fitness world. The only ppl that think pre workout (lifting) nutrition is of little value seem to be posters on this board.

Not correct at all. I have trained both fasted and non fasted. I usually train fasted - I lost no muscle during my cut and no loss of strength, assuming I ate enough the day before. There is no empirical evidence that indicates I would have had better results whether I training fasted v non fasted assuming my daily intake was equal so, um, no go with the 'if you are not worried about a little loss of muscle' dig.

It takes hours for your food to digest and absorb food - what someone ate the night before is still in their system. There is absolutely no evidence that training fasted decreases strength or to muscle loss.

Pre and post workout is emphasized so much due to the supplement companies. If you eat within a reasonable time after training, then you are good. If you would like to point me to actual articles/studies that show that training fasted leads to muscle loss i would be very interested.

I was going to say this, but then saw that you did.

iamnotjustanumber

Cardio - yes

Proper lifting - no

I do 'proper lifting' fasted. No issues at all.

If you think about it, there really isn't any issue except you probably don't have as much strength as you would after some nutrition.

If a little loss of muscle isn't of a concern then I agree - theres no harm in doing it at all.

I personally have a preworkout shake before I lift in the mornings.

This is why Pre and post workout nutrition is emphasised and stressed upon so much in the fitness world. The only ppl that think pre workout (lifting) nutrition is of little value seem to be posters on this board.

Not correct at all. I have trained both fasted and non fasted. I usually train fasted - I lost no muscle during my cut and no loss of strength, assuming I ate enough the day before. There is no empirical evidence that indicates I would have had better results whether I training fasted v non fasted assuming my daily intake was equal so, um, no go with the 'if you are not worried about a little loss of muscle' dig.

It takes hours for your food to digest and absorb food - what someone ate the night before is still in their system. There is absolutely no evidence that training fasted decreases strength or to muscle loss.

Pre and post workout is emphasized so much due to the supplement companies. If you eat within a reasonable time after training, then you are good. If you would like to point me to actual articles/studies that show that training fasted leads to muscle loss i would be very interested.

I was going to say this, but then saw that you did.

I Think the Suppliment industry has a lot to answer for, which is what i was eluding to with my comments about the amount of sugars people think they need.. one Bar i was looking at the other day suggested 3 bars required for each hour of workout.. but the Carb content in those bars would keep someone going all day!!!! ;-(

RickiD530

I have to be at work at 6 a.m. so I start my workouts at 3 a.m. I never eat before them. I get sick if I have any food in me. This mornings Tapout workout was called Hurl. I think if I had any food in my stomach I would have You are doing great. Whatever works best for you is what you should do.