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Working out on a empty stomach vs eating breakfast?

deego14
deego14 Posts: 79 Member
edited February 10 in Motivation and Support
For a very long time I was working out first thing in the morning and then having my shake when I was done. But this last week I decided to start having hearty breakfast wait 30 min - 1hour and then work out. And boy do I notice a change! I have more energy for my workouts- therefore I burn more calories and for some odd reason for the rest of my day I seem to have more motivation to eat healthy and snack lightly between meals.


what about you? If you workout in he morning do you eat before or after a workout?

Replies

  • bluescarf44
    bluescarf44 Posts: 1
    That sounds great! Great job! What hearty breakfast do you mean? And what work out do you do? I want to try this!
    Thanks
  • MrsRobertson1005
    MrsRobertson1005 Posts: 552 Member
    I eat before I workout and the have a snack after I workout. It's about an hr and a half after I eat that I woke out. I agree it helps give me that boost for my workout.
  • PhearlessPhreaks
    PhearlessPhreaks Posts: 890 Member
    I usually only have coffee in the AM before working out. I don't get to the gym until after 9am, because the daycare isn't open until then. I'm also not hungry when I first get up with the kids (6:30-7a) and I've found if I eat shortly before working out, I feel gross. I bring a piece of fruit, like an orange or 1/2 grapefruit with me to eat right after I'm done, and then I make something, usually my post-workout shake when I get home.
  • donnat238
    donnat238 Posts: 309 Member
    I eat breakfast before my workout. I have a lot more energy. My trainer suggested it because I would be dragging half way thru a work out. Now I can make it thru the hour without wimping out!
  • tabbyxxcat
    tabbyxxcat Posts: 102 Member
    I usually don't eat before I work out because I get ready in like 20mins before I head out the door, and it would then upset my stomach at the gym :p
    However, I do notice a big change between that and when I go to the gym after work and have eaten breakfast and lunch. I work out much harder!!!!
    Good for you that you've found what works for you! Lifestyle change ftw :D
  • andit001
    andit001 Posts: 33 Member
    I always make sure to never workout on an empty stomach. It only makes me weaker during the workout. If I can't wait 30min - 1h, I just eat something little, like a fruit or something.
  • bobf279
    bobf279 Posts: 342 Member
    Most of my workouts are in the evening so i'll normally have had breakfast and lunch. Weekends I go running in the mornings without eating first, recently I had breakfast while waiting for the rain to ease off and my run was hard work with me feeling lethargic so I'd prefer not to eat first.
  • kczarnec
    kczarnec Posts: 28 Member
    Here's a link to a thread on the same topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1152348-anyone-else-not-eat-breakfast-before-working-out
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I work out about 5-10 min. after waking up, so I don't eat before. I get up early in order to get in a workout before work, so my schedule is:
    1. wake up, turn on TV/DVD, RR, put up hair (5:35-5:45ish)
    2. Do dvd workout
    3. shower, make coffee, dress, do computer stuff
    4. eat breakfast (around 7-7:15) before leaving for work
    Now, I do work out again about 4:25pm, but I eat lunch around 11:15 and a snack around 2.

    On the weekends if I go for a run, I will have coffee and a small snack, like banana, first. I will take water and a protein/snack/meal bar with me to eat after while I grocery shop.
  • Chizakura
    Chizakura Posts: 29 Member
    For my runs in the morning, I do the run and then have breakfast after. I've always been the sort of person who *can't* eat right when I get up. I have to wait an hour or two after getting up or I can't eat. And rather than just chilling around the house for an hour or two, eating, then waiting 30 minutes to go for a run, I therefore do my run first thing and eat when I get home.

    Depending on my work schedule though, I sometimes do my run in the afternoons, and I can definitely say without hesitation that I have buckets more energy.

    I do always make sure to drink a big glass of water before my run though. Even if I can't eat that early in the morning, I make sure to stay hydrated.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,368 Member
    I typically eat before I work out, but I don't work out first thing in the morning, and I wait an hour before working out.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    This comes down to personal preference, I get up around 5:30 and eat my usual 1200 calories and gear up to hit the gym. I prefer working out after a big breakfast but on a side note if I workout in the afternoon/evening normally around 5, then my preferences change to working out then eat a big meal once I get home... I do tend to have a little something on the way to the gym in the evening but eat supper once back home..... Best of Luck........
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