exercise on an empty stomach early in the morning

It's fine to do a workout like that on an empty stomach. You can go by how you feel. I have noticed that long workouts including a lot of weight lifting will make me feel shaky, so I will have something small before working out like a protein bar.

Congratulations! I have to work out in the morning, too, otherwise it rarely gets done.

If and when I get up early enough to exercise in the am I never eat before, I would be sick! Never done me any harm. However, if I were to exercise on an evening on an empty stomach I'd be shakey and light headed! Bizarre!

It's just personal preference some like to workout on a full stomach and others like to work out on an empty stomach. I usually will have a small cup of sugar free cappuccino and then do my workout. Just do what ever works best for you, if you can't handle a totally empty stomach then eat a small granola bar or protien bar.

I started today and I did the eliptical for 30 min. I feel really energized and awake.....I hope I don't crash later! But I am wondering is it ok to exercise on an empty stomach?

If you feel good keep doing it. I do 6-7 miles in the morning all the time with nothing but a glass of water before I run. You're correct that eating a lot before a long workout sucks. It's better to do it on empty. If you like have a glass of OJ or a small snack but there's no need to eat before you exercise first thing in the morning. This is why your body likes to store fat. It's reserve energy for when you haven't had a meal in a while.

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 do my workouts in the morning on an empty stomach! I feel fine, but I definitely have to have breakfast soon after. Like others have mentioned, if you are feeling dizzy or weak during the exercise, try a small, light snack before you work out. It's hard to have to wake up any earlier than you already do just to fit in breakfast!

I have trained for 3 half marathons first thing in the morning on an empty stomach . . . Do what ever works for you and enjoy it.

A 2009 study found that subjects who lifted weights in a fasted state enjoyed a greater “intramyocellular anabolic response” to the post-workout meal. Levels of p70s6 kinase – a muscle protein synthesis signaling mechanism that acts like an “indicator” of muscle growth – one hour after a fasted workout doubled levels compared to one hour after a fed workout (in the same group). In other words, fasting boosted (physiological indicators of) post-workout muscle growth.

REF : https://www.marksdailyapple.com/fasting-exercise-workout-recovery/

Work out in a fasted state - Although advanced techniques to get to super low body fat percentages are beyond the scope of this article, here’s another tactic if you want to drop the last few percentage points: strength training in a fasted state first thing in the morning, and don’t consume your first meal of the day until at least 30 minutes to an hour AFTER your workout. This is a technique taught to me by Vic Magary who has used it to drop incredible amounts of body fat in a short amount of time.

REF : http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/07/02/body-fat-percentage/

Hi MFP! I just rejoined MFP and still looking for some supportive friends so please feel free to add me. I have decided to workout at 5am before I get my day started since I haven't been able to find time to workout in the evening with 2 kids (1 1/2 & 7). I started today and I did the eliptical for 30 min. I feel really energized and awake.....I hope I don't crash later! But I am wondering is it ok to exercise on an empty stomach? I don't know how I would eat before working out since I am already getting up at 5 am and if I did eat how long do I have to wait after eating to exercise? Please help me

I am 34, 5 foot 1, 170lbs working towards 150lbs

I get nauseous if I don't eat something and if I am going extra long I have to have a carb gel to keep from getting nauseous. If you find that your body requires something, maybe try a gel or some gummy gels. Just listen to your body.

Everyone is different.

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/

I have always worked out, before the sunrise on an empty stomach. If I eat or drink ANYTHING (besides a little water during the workout) I get very nauseous. If it works for you, do it, if you find you need something maybe try having just a little something to get you through the workout.

^^^This is me. Training on an empty stomach is the only way I can work. Since I run 2-3 miles before I lift, the sloshing in belly really gets to me. I've done it this way since I started and have had no problems. Just remember: do what works for you and you only.

I do a 5;45 AM boot camp (Insanity like workout) on an empty stomach. If I eat prior to working out that early I get sick during the workout. I DO make sure to eat something with protein within an hour of working out, however.
It makes me feel good all day, and if I don't do it first thing in the morning I find I don't do it at all!

Me too! I don't eat before boot camp, but it is really early in the AM. I do eat shortly afterwards and make sure to get plenty of protein.

I get up at 4:00 a.m. and am at the gym by 4:20 or so. I do a 5-10 min warmup, then lift for about an hour and then do about 20-30 minutes of intervals. I do this on an empty stomach and feel fine (and I don't think I have any strength or stamina issues during lifting or cardio).

I used to eat before working out, but at that time I had a 70 minute commute (plus the time it took to get the kids out the door with me) before I actually started my workout, and that was just too long for me to go without eating. I don't notice any difference in strength or stamina between then and now. However, I must add that I was following the standard american diet at that time, and I think that could have been part of why I "needed to eat." These days, I don't feel a need to eat until after I get home, get the kids up and off to school/daycare and then I get back home to work (I work from home). Then I eat a nice high fat and high protein breakfast and I'm good to go!

I workout at 545. If I wake up and am hungry, I eat a banana or cheese stick before. Sometimes I eat one after. I don't wait to eat. The only thing that I make sure to do is drink water while exercising - the rest just depends on how I feel that day.

Good luck!