Not eating before workouts

maecrocker
maecrocker Posts: 56
in Fitness and Exercise
Mornings are the best available time for me to work out. If I put it off thinking I will come home from work and workout it just never happens. But I do have to get to work so I usually work out on an empty stomach and then eat breakfast. I have read pros and cons for working out on an empty stomach. So many different views on this. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Replies

  • ebonyroche
    ebonyroche Posts: 682 Member
    I workout in the am before work also for the same reason and don't eat until 11 or 12 (Im IFing). I don't see a problem with unless your body has a problem with it. If you start to feel sick or can't make it through your workout, I would say eat something but if you're all good then go for it.
  • maecrocker
    maecrocker Posts: 56
    Thank you Ebony that is reassuring. There is just so much conflicting info out there. Confuses me more often than not!
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
    I can do it, but my workout really suffered if I didn't eat at least something.
  • helpfit101
    helpfit101 Posts: 347 Member
    As I am doing some weight lifting and trying to reduce calories at the same time I am afraid of sending my body a "hunger" signal. I am afraid my body will start eating into muscle. So I would not go running on an empty stomach. At least have a sugary snack.

    On the other hand if you want maximum fat burn and don't mind small muscle loss (or have never lifted weights and as such don't really care) running after bed is the best time.
  • maecrocker
    maecrocker Posts: 56
    Thank you all. Helpfit, can't really run. Shin splints from soccer years. I kind of just bob up and down at a walker's pace. So just gave it up. I am alternating Jillian Michaels Boby Revolution and Zumba each day - different exercises. I tried the gym but I just seem to wander around. DVD's so much easier because I can pop them in and do what they tell me. I will try a snack before working out. Dog has me up pretty early so I guess I have plenty of time to start to digest it before working out.
  • ash190489
    ash190489 Posts: 587 Member
    If I'm just doing a morning walk or jog that's about 30mins or so, I don't have anything to eat, however if I'm planning on doing a longer workout including weights or high intensity activity like a gym class I will usually have something small, like a banana or 1 multigrain weetbix with a teeny bit of milk and banana!
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    I do Intermittent Fasting every day, I start eating at 12 and finish eating at 7. Outside this window I only drink water and my pre-work out (2x grenade tablets). I work out at 5.30am-7.30am for 6 days a week. I have absolutely no problem with it. I can still lift just as much as I can in the evening, plus because I haven't eaten anything my body is using fat for energy.
  • vstraughan
    vstraughan Posts: 163 Member
    I also go to the gym as soon as the doors open in the morning. I've only started eating breakfast in the last year (I'm 34) but can't do it before going to the gym, just ...... no. I just can't eat that early.

    I do, however, eat breakfast as soon as I get into the office.

    Whatever works for you!
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I workout before I even think of eating, even if that means I don't eat anything till later that afternoon. I can NOT do anything like that with food in mu stomach or I actually have to be very close to a toilet. But that's just me.

    Everyone IS different, there is nothing wrong with eating before or waiting till after. It's what YOU can handle, not what others think.
  • maecrocker
    maecrocker Posts: 56
    Good thoughts. The problem with trying to eat before my workout is that I will be throwing up if I don't wait at least and hour and a half. I can't do that or I won't get to work until after 10am -- not really appropriate.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Thank you all. Helpfit, can't really run. Shin splints from soccer years. I kind of just bob up and down at a walker's pace. So just gave it up. I am alternating Jillian Michaels Boby Revolution and Zumba each day - different exercises. I tried the gym but I just seem to wander around. DVD's so much easier because I can pop them in and do what they tell me. I will try a snack before working out. Dog has me up pretty early so I guess I have plenty of time to start to digest it before working out.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fhGXc6W-FI

    Do that video as many times in a row as you possibly can. I am up to 7 times in a row right now. I actually edited the video right at that 2nd mile becuase it's by far the most intense mile on the 5 mile dvd. I use hand & leg weights as well while doing it.

    I started with Zumba & walking, that was a year & a half ago. Now I run & do Walk at home.... actually doing walk at home for 3 months cause it's more cold outside than I can take.... so for winter I'm doing this....and getting myself up to doing it 10 times in a row.
  • SJackson50
    SJackson50 Posts: 282 Member
    Ever since I started working out, I do it at 5:45am on an empty stomach...my results have not suffered (IMO).
    Good luck with your goals!
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    You should eat in a manner that allows you to get the best from your workouts and stay within your calorie allowance.

    If you're not eating and you don't find yourself tired and drained in your workout then there is no need to eat preworkout.
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
    I've been getting up and working out for years without eating first. As long as you don't have issues and fuel your body properly the rest of the day, you'll be fine! Stay hydrated throughout the day as well. Kept going strong!
  • Zekela
    Zekela Posts: 634 Member
    During the week, I don't usually eat before a run since I get up so early. However, on my weekend runs, I definitely destroy some food (between 600 - 900 calories) before I run. I go for about 18 - 20 miles right now on the weekends, and I definitely do not want to 'burn out' half way through my run. I end up running with an overly full stomach for about 8 - 10 miles and I just bare the discomfort. I intend on getting a running poach one day, but I hate running with stuff..
  • pixtotts
    pixtotts Posts: 552 Member
    Try it both ways see what works for you :)
    For me a small snack (usually a banana) before a work out was best for me, I was lethargic and it was a waste of time other wise. Then I would have a proper breakfast once I finished.
    x
  • panda742002
    panda742002 Posts: 68 Member
    I work out at 5am and that is to early for me too. I have been eating breakfast at the office around 7:30am
  • runlilyrun
    runlilyrun Posts: 140
    During the week, I don't usually eat before a run since I get up so early. However, on my weekend runs, I definitely destroy some food (between 600 - 900 calories) before I run. I go for about 18 - 20 miles right now on the weekends, and I definitely do not want to 'burn out' half way through my run. I end up running with an overly full stomach for about 8 - 10 miles and I just bare the discomfort. I intend on getting a running poach one day, but I hate running with stuff..
    Can you fit a couple of gels or whatever in your sports bra? I generally put my phone, iPod, and doorkey in there. I also have a tiny pocket in some of my running shorts - when I run in those I put a boiled sweet in there just in case I need the glucose.
  • tashaa1992
    tashaa1992 Posts: 658 Member
    On my days off I workout at around 8am then eat my first meal at round 1pm or 2pm, my workout's haven't suffered. If not eating pre workout affected my workout intensity, etc, I'd make sure I ate beforehand, we're all different though so what works for someone may not work for someone else.
  • agggie550
    agggie550 Posts: 281 Member
    I have a protein shake the minute i roll out of bed at 4:30am (about 1 hour before i go to the gym) ... I have a pre workout shake 30 minutes before I start working out, and a post workout protein shake withing 15 minutes of finishing my work out... So don't eat full on meals, but if I didn't have something in my system, I can tell you first hand my workouts suffer. But my workouts are also 95% lifting heavy weights and 5% cardio. I also try to eat about 3500-4200 Calories a day because I repeat my whole shake cycle around lunch time for my second workout of the day.
  • slainte35
    slainte35 Posts: 10 Member
    I work out at 5am everyday on an empty stomach. I have seen absolutely no negative effects. Although some mornings I will have a Hammer Nutrition Gel and that will do the trick. I eat breakfast once I get to work.
  • cordianet
    cordianet Posts: 534 Member
    Multiple studies have failed to show any metabolic advantage to working out in a fasted state, so don't do it simply because you think you're going to lose more weight. Whether you eat or not before working out should be a personal choice and be based on how you feel and whether or not your workout is affected by a lack of food before-hand.
  • lts42uk
    lts42uk Posts: 162 Member
    Ever since I started working out, I do it at 5:45am on an empty stomach...my results have not suffered (IMO).
    Good luck with your goals!

    ^^This^^
  • maecrocker
    maecrocker Posts: 56
    I work out at 5am everyday on an empty stomach. I have seen absolutely no negative effects. Although some mornings I will have a Hammer Nutrition Gel and that will do the trick. I eat breakfast once I get to work.



    What are these gels?
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    I work out at 5am everyday on an empty stomach. I have seen absolutely no negative effects. Although some mornings I will have a Hammer Nutrition Gel and that will do the trick. I eat breakfast once I get to work.



    What are these gels?

    Gu, 100 calories
    https://guenergy.com/

    If Im hungry & depending on my run plans, I will eat either a Gu, banana, apple sauce, raisins, or Fig Newtons. It sometimes makes a noticeable difference for me.

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