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Exercising before breakfast?

Natalie1825
Natalie1825 Posts: 23 Member
edited February 25 in Fitness and Exercise
Recently, I decided to try completing my exercise routine in the morning before breakfast. I am starting to prefer this method, because it allows me to get the workouts "out of the way", and I seem to be eating less as a result of having breakfast later on (although I cannot completely verify this lol). However, I also noticed that several hours later, I will get bad headaches that continue on until I go to bed at night (unless I take Tylenol or something).

Is there a way to remedy this? Maybe eating a little before working out? I like knowing that I've finished my exercise early on in the day, so I don't have to be too worried about it. However, if the headaches continue, I'm not sure this routine will be possible to maintain.

Thank you!

Replies

  • PinkCoconut
    PinkCoconut Posts: 655 Member
    I'd try eating maybe 1/2 or a 1/4 of your breakfast before you workout and then eat the rest afterwards and see what happens. It very well could be that your body doesn't like working out on an empty stomach. I know mine can't but for others they have no issues at all. It may also be dehydration, if you're not drinking water before, during and after your workout you could get mildly dehydrated.

    Feel free to friend me! :)
  • Odinalove
    Odinalove Posts: 18
    I really want to do two times a day this week , last week i lost nothing and felt deflated. this week i want to do exercise at 6am and at 8pm both 40 minutes each. I also need advice on any helpful tips. my diary is open
  • Sha1911
    Sha1911 Posts: 221 Member
    I go to the gym almost everyday at 6:30 without breakfast and I feel fine.
    Maybe your body is just not used to this yet? If you prefer it, try it for another 4-5 days, if you still get headaches have a little snack, a slice of toast or something
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    Do you usually drink coffee in the morning?

    For me, if I don't have coffee within a certain number of hours after waking up, I get headaches that nothing but sleep fixes. If you're getting up earlier but still having your coffee at the same time of day as you used to, maybe it's this. It's a withdrawal symptom.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I almost always workout on an empty stomach. Mainly because I work out at 5 in the morning, and if I eat before that I run out of calories by 4 pm and I'm starving all night. And nobody wants to see me hungry. It's an ugly sight to behold. :tongue:

    But if you want to put something in you before you exercise, something small, like a hard boiled egg or a small glass of chocolate milk might help. Just experiment until you find something that works for you.
  • dont_tap_my_aces
    dont_tap_my_aces Posts: 125 Member
    its summertime now, have you increased your water consumption? those headaches that come on later in the day and never go away are usually a sign of dehydration.

    if you are active, you should try to aim for at least a gallon of water per day during the summer.
  • rjordison
    rjordison Posts: 10
    Hi Natalie
    Your headache could be down to lack of fluid. Make sure you drink plenty of water during and after your workout. It's something I always struggle with as I hate water sloshing round in my tummy when working out. I try to drink at least 2 big glasses of water straight after my workout then another glass each hour for the rest of the day.
    It's worth a try, and maybe have a small banana after your workout too? you are technically running on empty and are loosing nutrients so some potassium in a banana would really help.
    Hope you manage to get past your headaches.
    Rebecca
  • Wookinpanub
    Wookinpanub Posts: 635 Member
    Good advice above already but I workout first thing in the morning and love it. Supposedly it helps with calorie burn to work out on empty stomach. Also, by working out first thing it motivates me to eat a healthy breakfast (usually just a GNC total lean shake, 25 grams of protein) and gives my endorphins a boost which helps my mental state.

    I got headaches the first few days of my program but I attributed that to cutting way back on caffeine and carbs, especially sweets. No pain, no gain
  • SkimFlatWhite68
    SkimFlatWhite68 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I workout in the mornings and always on an empty stomach.

    I think it may have something to do with fluid rather than food. Are you drinking enough water to compensate for your exercise? Try drinking a litre bottle of water in your exercise time and another litre afterward. Cutting out morning coffee may also help.

    Keep track of how you go and if the headaches persist I would see a doctor.
  • Natalie1825
    Natalie1825 Posts: 23 Member
    Thanks so much for your help everyone! For a couple of weeks now, I try to eat a little something (like fruit or nuts, etc.) before exercising, and it has worked wonderfully. No more headaches! :smile:
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