Early morning workout before breakfast - good or bad?

As long as it works for you. I don't mind exercising before breakfast, but if you feel faint or dizzy you might want to eat a little something, even if it's just a banana

It makes virtually no difference outside of whatever works for you.

Personal n=1 anecdote: I used to train first thing in the AM then ate breakfast afterward. Everything went well. I now train - because of switching gyms to one on my way to/from work with no showers - in the afternoon after work (which means I ate breakfast, lunch, and probably a snack) or at lunch. Everything is going well.

narmin92 wrote: »

@Nikki10129 I have heard some say that if you eat after you work out your body doesn't burn that incoming food as it would an hour or two after a workout, and instead you break into your muscle mass.

You're always utilizing fat and - to a lesser extent - muscle for energy. Even if you eat beforehand. The food you eat helps fuel you and/or replenishes the tissue you're using. IOW: it doesn't matter.

I almost always work out before breakfast and have had no issues. I actually prefer it. Your body has plenty of fuel stored, so not eating before your workout isn't going to do any harm.

I have noticed that when I exercise before I eat breakfast my heart rate is lower that if I exercise after breakfast. i.e a little fuel makes things go... Will it have any positive or negative impact in the long run, probably not.

I have to run on an empty stomach or else whatever I've eaten would come right back up. I always run on just a glass or two of water, first thing in the morning. You have plenty of glycogen stored to work out early in the morning without eating.

It's all down to personal preference. OP, give it a try and see what works best for you.

i wake up at 4. drink copious amounts of coffee. gym at 6 30. work between 8 30-9.

then, i might have a cup of yogurt or something.

listen to your body and do what it needs.

I used to swim before work and pack a breakfast to eat at work afterwards. There were ba few days that, by the time I got to eat I was ravenously hungry, but I don't think the schedule did any true harm.

Some people can, some can't. I'd give it a try and see how you do.

when I eat first, then work out.. I'm lazy, I can feel the food is hopping around when I'm running :l

Definitely before breakfast, i don't know anyone who can run after a meal.

I just started doing that last year- I get up at 4:30 and go to the gym by 5- home at 6:15 then get my son up for school and we are out the door by 7:30. I have found that as long as I make this my plan the night BEFORE and lay out my gym clothes and gym bag so everything is ready then it goes much easier. Because when you wake up sleepy its easy to talk yourself out of going. Make up your mind the night before and then just go like a robot. I usually wake up when i am on the exercise bike. I feel so much better during the day when i manage to do this. And when i get off work at 5 sometimes i will go back to gym and do some weights or i just stay home and chill because i worked out already. Its a great feeling when you feel productive!

I've always done my early morning workouts (running, circuits) without eating beforehand. If I eat before, I feel sick. Others in the classes I've done have learned the hard way not to eat before a heavy workout (by vomiting halfway through the class...).

If you eat just after and load your carbs and protein, you should be fine. If you find it's making you feel faint or unwell not to eat beforehand, have something small, like a few nuts or a banana.