Help...anyone do their workouts first thing in the AM?

asouza369
asouza369 Posts: 10
in Health and Weight Loss
Anyone do their workouts first thing in the AM? I am trying to do mine in the AM before work which is around 5AM...I was just reading online that its not good to workout on an empty stomach..."when you regularly work out on an empty stomach, you risk losing muscle mass, and ultimately slowing your metabolism." I don't have time that early to eat, wait...then workout...any suggestions/tips about what others do for early AM workouts???? I'm on a 1200 calorie/day plan, limited processed foods, sugar, etc

Thanks!
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Replies

  • purple_shmoo
    purple_shmoo Posts: 10
    When I run in the early morning I try to eat a banana or a TBSP of Peanut Butter or a yogurt. These are all easily digestable enough that I don't really wait after eating them to work out. It accomplishes not working out on an empty stomach but also doesn't eat up a big calorie amount or make me need to wait to work out.
  • erindh87
    erindh87 Posts: 94
    You could eat a banana or a handful of nuts in the morning if you don't want an empty stomach but don't have much time. I've seen studies both for and against working out on an empty stomach, so I don't really know if it's a negative thing or not.
  • mkwongh
    mkwongh Posts: 279 Member
    I work out at 5am, after a large glass of water..
  • KristiRTT
    KristiRTT Posts: 346 Member
    I run 5-6 miles in the am before ever eating anything! The trick is to stay hydrated and not to exercise to vigorously!
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    Up at 3 AM, in the gym by 3:20. I eat a banana on the way out and bring a big drink with me.
  • pkinblue
    pkinblue Posts: 140 Member
    I work out at 5:30am..all I do is drink water before. My workout is only 30 min so I don't really think I am going to greatly impact my metabolism by this. If you feel weak or hungry--then try to eat something small and easily digestible. If you feel ok I wouldn't stress out about it. Seems like nutrition/exercise advice changes all the time so grain of salt.
  • JeneticTraining
    JeneticTraining Posts: 663 Member
    I work out around 6am.
    That is true, you can risk losing muscle mass, but a lot of people do it to lose fat.
    I just eat a few scoops of oatmeal before my workout or a slice of toast. Sometimes I do not eat anything and siill have enough energy to last me through a 90 minute workout.
  • Mimisam45
    Mimisam45 Posts: 132 Member
    I also work out at 5am, get up at 4 so that I have time to get ready and drive 30 minutes to the gym!! I do not eat but I drink a cup of coffee on the way and some water.
    I finally get to eat about 2 hours after my workout, usually around 9 am!! It seems to work fine and I don't have an issue. In fact, it was suggested to do that in the book Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It has always worked for me!
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    I will have a cup of coffee and some water most mornings before my weekday run. I only eat if I am going to do a long run or my workout is later and I need to put something in my stomach.
  • AlohaKeAkua
    AlohaKeAkua Posts: 92
    I posed this same question a few months ago. People told me it was OK to workout on an empty stomach, so I went for it. I stay very hydrated while at the gym. I'll push myself very hard for an hour and then head home for a nice healthy breakfast (and shower of course!) It hasn't seemed to hurt me any! If anything, it has enhanced my metabolism and keeps it going throughout the day.
  • allen4mlbj
    allen4mlbj Posts: 9
    I eat before I leave for the gym at 4:30am but I have a 20 minute ride. Then I stretch and either lift weights or elliptical for 45 minutes. I have carbs and proteins like whole wheat toast with peanut butter or fruit and oatmeal- but small portions.
  • Lind140
    Lind140 Posts: 140 Member
    I do much much better if I go in the morning, if I can drag myself there, I get it
    behind me and I feel better the rest of the day because I did something good.
  • mrs_mab
    mrs_mab Posts: 1,024 Member
    I usually eat a nanner or granola bar with a bottle of water on my way to the gym between 5-6am!
  • Phrakman
    Phrakman Posts: 113
    You wont just burn up muscle because you havent eaten in 8 hours. The primary energy source for weightlifting or HIT is glycogen which is stored carbohydrates in the working muscle. So really you dont even need to eat anything before. Make sure you hit your macros for the day and profit.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    I always have, and at the most, I choke down half a granola bar with some coffee before a workout....anything more just makes me want to hurl. Its perfectly fine to exercise on an empty stomach as long as you have the energy to get through it (seems like everyone has really different energy levels in the morning)..

    I ALWAYS have something planned to eat after the workout, as I generally am ready to chew my own arm off by the time I shower, dress and head on to work.
  • mdorsett221
    mdorsett221 Posts: 29 Member
    I just make a protein shake and drink half of it on my way to the gym and half after my workout. I feel like I have more energy that way and I'm not too full to workout effectively.
  • rocwright3
    rocwright3 Posts: 1
    I'm in the gym by 5 am and I was told the same thing so I have a 1/2 c skim milk before I workout. Just started a week ago so I'm not sure if it will hurt or help me.
  • livinlavidaloco
    livinlavidaloco Posts: 52
    I workout about an hour after waking. I use to workout on an empty stomach but try not to anymore. I find it very difficult to get through my workout without eating something. My preworkout meal is usually 1/4 cup oatmeal with 1/2 a small apple chopped , a few dried cranberries, a spoon of peanut or almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Its quick and not overfilling!!
  • bc119
    bc119 Posts: 34 Member
    I commend anyone who can get up earlier than they have to and workout! Wow!!

    I did it for a bit (briefly) and would try to have a packet of instant oatmeal beforehand (plain, whole-grain w/ some frozen blueberries) and then have a protein shake after (mixed with water). A combination of complex carbs, simple carbs and protein.

    My "theory" was that I was giving myself some energy to go workout (the oatmeal was light enough so I didn't feel sick working out on a full stomach) and then replenishing my muscles with protein afterwards. I could be very wrong though :)
  • M_miller0507
    M_miller0507 Posts: 16 Member
    I've been working out on an empty stomach between 5 and 5:45 AM for several years now and have had no trouble maintaining a healthy weight. I'm certainly not losing muscle mass.

    When I say working out I mean an hour of heavy lifting or a 3-6 mile run 5 or 6 days a week. Also, I'm constantly hungry after I work out so I really don't think my metabolism has slowed. If anything I feel like it's revved up.
  • Shereta5
    Shereta5 Posts: 13
    I wake up around 5;15, work out around around 6 for an hour usually. I only have coffee and water before i workout.
  • havingitall
    havingitall Posts: 3,728 Member
    I have a coffee and half a banana before my morning workout
  • spikesmom
    spikesmom Posts: 441 Member
    I do an hour of spinning at a very intense pace at 5:45 in the morning, and I eat nothing until I get home. I will then have a cup of coffee with a scoop of protein powder, and nothing until lunch. I hasn't slowed me down. There is a website called leangains.com and this man is ripped! He talks about intermittent fasting and he only eats for an 8 hour window a day. He's doing well, so I guess it can't be too bad :)
  • nsre1976
    nsre1976 Posts: 19
    Hi, I work out from 0630-0730hrs, I never eat before just keep very hydrated during training, mine is split cardio and weights though.
    I was told that if you train for upto an hour it is fine on an empty stomach as for the first hour you are using the naturel resources stored within your muscles, glycogen or something I think!?!? Anyway over an hour your body then can start to eat away at fat/muscles.
    Been working fine for me, I have put on muscle and losing fat! Assuming you are not reducing your calories too much I think you are fine... Good luck, Hope that helps!
  • musycnlyrics
    musycnlyrics Posts: 323 Member
    When I work out early, I dont eat anything. I feel REALLY nauseous if I do.
    I just have some water throughout my workout and sometimes a mint or 2 (makes my room temp water taste cold :wink: )

    I have my breakfast after, which is usually pretty big (loaded protein shake or egg white omelet with meat, cheese, veggies and salsa)

    I havent had any ill effects and my bf% has gone down...
  • 111orBust
    111orBust Posts: 41
    I'm following an IF plan and don't open my eating window until midday. So by the time I get to my morning cardio, I haven't consumed anything for 12-14 hours.

    The ONLY thing that has ever affected my performance is dehydration so now during my fasting hours I drink a lot of water and on waking I drink 500ml.

    Best thing about exercising on an empty stomach is NOTHING tastes better than that first post-workout meal.
  • Frank_Just_Frank
    Frank_Just_Frank Posts: 454 Member
    I've never had problems working out in the morning. That goes for jogging, spin class and strength training. Everyone has an opinion about how everything you're doing is wrong, don't take them too seriously, just listen to your body.
  • M_miller0507
    M_miller0507 Posts: 16 Member

    Best thing about exercising on an empty stomach is NOTHING tastes better than that first post-workout meal.

    This is so true. The hard boiled egg and oatmeal I have every morning taste incredible.
  • asouza369
    asouza369 Posts: 10
    Thanks everyone....this helps a ton! I'm only doing 30 minutes of weights/cardio...my energy is ok so I'll keep it going and maybe on some days add a half a banana or nuts....You guys are great!
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    I really think this is one of those "depends on the person" things. I can't imagine there's a serious performance difference that doesn't just stem from the person's feelings of "makes me sick" or "can't do that while my stomach is growling."

    Do what feels right.

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