Exercising right after waking up

Soundbodysoundmind
Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
So I was wondering if it's okay to jog or even do resistance training (e.g. Pilates) right when you wake up before eating breakfast. I feel like if I do that then I can just get it over and done with and go about my day rather than waiting to eat then wait an hour, so on and so forth. I feel like it cuts into my time for the day. So do you think it's okay to exercise on an empty stomach or even immediately after eating something quick and small like string cheese or a banana?
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Replies

  • gabbo34
    gabbo34 Posts: 289 Member
    edited November 2014
    I'm in no way an expert as I've only been running for a few months, but 90% of my runs are first thing in the morning before breakfast. I rarely eat anything before I go. On my long run days (60-90 minutes) I may have a banana or quick protein shake - but never a full meal.

    For my schedule it just works best to work out first thing in the morning then go into work rather than try to find time in the evening when we have so many family/kids activities going.



  • bebenevaeh
    bebenevaeh Posts: 65 Member
    Some people can handle training on an empty stomach others cannot. But i would recommend something small or u will have no fuel for ur workouts
  • watto1980
    watto1980 Posts: 155 Member
    I go for fasted walks, they are pretty good for me. I have also done fasted weight lifting with no noticeable reduction in performance. I think it is something you need to try for yourself and see how your body responds. I would suggest having a few glasses of water beforehand.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,345 Member
    It's totally a personal preference, some people find it best to work out fasted. Others, like me, can't get out of their own way before food. I'm noticably weaker and have less stamina before I've eaten - even coming out of the train station on my way to work, I plod up the stairs and am tired at the top, same stairs a couple hours later after eating and I can jog up them.

    Try it and see how you go.
  • friedzucchini
    friedzucchini Posts: 6 Member
    According to the Body for Life Program you exercise on an empty stomach. But anyway I can't have food in my stomach most times when I run, so unless it is a half marathon I will run on an empty stomach, fueling after 45 min of activity. Most of the time that is what I do. But I am not skinny :) that's why I'm here :#
  • aviatrix333
    aviatrix333 Posts: 7 Member
    I actually just spoke with my doctor about this and he said that you will burn more fat on an empty stomach. However, if you don't have enough energy to get a good workout in, it could be counter productive. I usually wake up early and workout before breakfast, It gets my metabolism revved up for the rest of the day and I have more energy.
  • trenzalours
    trenzalours Posts: 60
    I always exercise on an empty stomach right in the morning! Whether it's my yoga or even my walks. I always feel great afterwards and I'm ready to eat my breakfast.

    I've always had issues eating right after I wake up though - I always feel sick! But since exercising before eating it's been so much easier on me.
  • whitewolf1200
    whitewolf1200 Posts: 31 Member
    I can't do it because I always feel exhausted and nauseous. It's definitely do-able and I applaud people who do it because it gets your workout of the way for the rest of the day. So if you can do it without getting sick, go for it.
  • ronitperman
    ronitperman Posts: 25
    Its totally depend on your stamina, some people doing exercise in an empty stomach and some other people prefer it after breakfast. I walk daily before taking my breakfast and it is good for me.
  • Soundbodysoundmind
    Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
    edited November 2014
    Okay awesome! I just hate waiting around and sometimes I can't wait, I just need to do it or else I know I won't later... Thank you! I'll do cardio on empty then weight barring on days I know I have time to do it and eat. Thanks you guys! ☺️
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    edited November 2014
    aviatrix333 wrote: »
    I actually just spoke with my doctor about this and he said that you will burn more fat on an empty stomach.

    The studies i've seen say that's true only with easy, low-intensity exercise, not challenging workouts. Here's an example:

    "Our results support the hypothesis that endurance training enhances lipid oxidation in men after a 12-h overnight fast at low relative exercise intensities (22 and 40% Vo2 peak). However, a training effect on [lipid oxidation] was not apparent at high relative exercise intensities (59 and 75% Vo2 peak)."
    http://jap.physiology.org/content/86/2/479

    Higher intensity exercise burns more calories per hour, so it's more efficient for fat loss.
  • jaquelynny
    jaquelynny Posts: 94 Member
    i did fasted cardio every morning to prep for my figure show, melts fat right off. plus i feel awseome all morning
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    There's nothing wrong with exercising right after you wake up, just take your time and don't over do it.

    I personally can't work out effectively if I haven't eaten yet and I absolutely hate getting up early in the morning to work out.

    Other thing, doesn't matter when you workout as long as you go and are enjoying yourself. I used to workout in the evenings but I found it was getting harder and harder to go. I started going during lunch time and I'm finding myself more motivated and not having to compete for the squat rack is kinda nice :P
  • NoelFigart1
    NoelFigart1 Posts: 1,276 Member
    Soundbodysoundmind wrote: »
    So I was wondering if it's okay to jog or even do resistance training (e.g. Pilates) right when you wake up before eating breakfast. I feel like if I do that then I can just get it over and done with and go about my day rather than waiting to eat then wait an hour, so on and so forth. I feel like it cuts into my time for the day. So do you think it's okay to exercise on an empty stomach or even immediately after eating something quick and small like string cheese or a banana?

    I do 80% of my workouts within 30 minutes of getting up and on an empty stomach. I like it, as I am a swimmer, and I like a good meal after my swim (swimming notoriously makes one hungry). So breakfast after my training is just a good way for me to do it.
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    I work out first thing in the morning right after I wake up and can't have anything to eat prior to it (other than something small like half an apple) or it makes me nauseous. I generally try to put some kind of slow digesting protein in my stomach the night before like nonfat Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or protein drink with casein so that I don't wake up starving. Works for me and I take a pre-workout drink for added measure.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    My favourite time of day to run is 5:00AM but I must confess to chugging down a coffee before I head out the door.

    I find that I actually have more energy for the rest of the day.

    Some people hate working out first thing in the morning, give it a try and judge for yourself.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    edited November 2014
    i regularly work out before breakfast. i'll have some coffee as i'm waking up, and usually am working out about 30 minutes after getting out of bed.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Absolutely fine imo. I havent seen any decent studies on whether its more effecive on weight loss, but as has been pointed out you need to have enough energy to do the workout. Monitor yourself and see if you have the energy to do whats required all the way through and you dont run out of energy. Even soemthing like a banana and water is a ood pre workout snack, but if you are doing workout straight away it will probably not ge into your system quik enough to benefit you.

    Try it and see if you like it.

    I prefer to have eaten something for energy.
  • jabarih
    jabarih Posts: 65 Member
    I have heard good things about working out in a fasted state. I heard that most calories burned come from fat storages b/c there is no food to burn. I also workout first thing in the morning and I am meeting my weight goals.
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    I work out first thing in the morning before eating anything. I exercise anytime between 6:30 and 8.30 I will then have something to eat at 9am. Hasn't impacted me.
  • skinnyforhi
    skinnyforhi Posts: 340 Member
    I regularly spin for 45 minutes in a fasted state first thing in the morning (6 or 7am). I always have a pre-workout snack if my workout is in the evening, though.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    jabarih wrote: »
    I have heard good things about working out in a fasted state. I heard that most calories burned come from fat storages b/c there is no food to burn. I also workout first thing in the morning and I am meeting my weight goals.

    Have a look at some actual studies. Im a bit sceptical about whether its any better at all. I do think is iportnat to have enough energy to do a decent workout and you don flag.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/the-myth-of-cardio-before-breakfast-debunked.html
  • itsjustmish
    itsjustmish Posts: 107 Member
    I work out at 5am, as soon as I wake up, on an empty stomach. I sip water while I'm exercising but don't eat until after I finish. I've never had any problems.
  • silver_inca
    silver_inca Posts: 17 Member
    I cycle on a turbo trainer for 30 minutes five times a week - 10-20 minutes after i wake up and have my coffee :) I agree, the workout is done, out the way and i feel great in the morning!
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    I can't eat early right before I swim. I need to but my stomach won't tolerate the food.
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    I go workout first thing after I wake up too. I have gone fasting… but I usually have better energy for my workouts with just a little something in my stomach. My typical go-to pre-workout food is apple slices. About 70 grams. Occasionally I'll add a tbsp of PB to it or some string cheese. But usually I do just fine on apples only. That's the same whether I'm doing a longer more intense workout (including lifting) or whether I'm just walking that day.
  • dorkyfaery
    dorkyfaery Posts: 255 Member
    As many folks have said, it depends on what your preference is and what you can tolerate. If I am doing something on the strenuous side I prefer to exercise first because I feel sick if I exercise too soon after eating. Afterwards I might have a banana or glass of chocolate milk, then get ready for work, and have my actual breakfast when I arrive at work.
  • wyattj99
    wyattj99 Posts: 454 Member
    Soundbodysoundmind wrote: »
    So I was wondering if it's okay to jog or even do resistance training (e.g. Pilates) right when you wake up before eating breakfast. I feel like if I do that then I can just get it over and done with and go about my day rather than waiting to eat then wait an hour, so on and so forth. I feel like it cuts into my time for the day. So do you think it's okay to exercise on an empty stomach or even immediately after eating something quick and small like string cheese or a banana?

    Heck yeah you can. I have lost 70 lbs doing that. I tried eating before working out and didn't settle well with me so I started working out before breakfast and all is good.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    edited November 2014
    I also workout first thing in the morning fasted. I have lost and kept off 80 lbs while doing it too.

    It's great to get my workout done for the day and it energizes me. I couldn't always do it though. It took me a little time to train my body to switch from being a sugar burner to a fat burner.

    Some people may not be able to handle working out fasted however.



  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Soundbodysoundmind wrote: »
    So I was wondering if it's okay to jog or even do resistance training (e.g. Pilates) right when you wake up before eating breakfast. I feel like if I do that then I can just get it over and done with and go about my day rather than waiting to eat then wait an hour, so on and so forth. I feel like it cuts into my time for the day. So do you think it's okay to exercise on an empty stomach or even immediately after eating something quick and small like string cheese or a banana?
    I do all my morning workouts on nothing more than a glass of water or a cup of leftover coffee. I do have a small breakfast on long run mornings but for stuff under 10 miles I just go out and get it done. Breakfast can happen after the run.
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