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Eat BEFORE or AFTER morning workout?

xLexi1028
xLexi1028 Posts: 55 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise

Do you eat before or after your workout and why?
I keep seeing a lot of discussion on this and I'd like to know your answer and reason ☺️

Thank you!

Replies

  • ramskermfc
    ramskermfc Posts: 41 Member
    Personal preference as to what, when and how much. If you work out first thing in the morning, you may or may not need/want something to get you started. Some people train fasted (I did for several years and it worked fine for me) but some people need a little something in their systems ahead of workout whether that's first thing or later in the day. Some people, like me, don't do well with real food right before a workout--makes me want to hurl. Others are fine with some food and drink ahead of time.

    So for me . . . I have moved to doing a pre-workout shake with about 20g carbs and 20g protein. Gives me a little more oomph and I don't get nauseous.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    If it is going to be more than 90 minutes, I eat before. Less than 90 minutes, I just eat after.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    if it's a morning workout and i Have time I have a yogurt and toast...otherwise nada.

  • deputy_randolph
    deputy_randolph Posts: 940 Member
    Me? before, during, and after...I had to stop 1/2 way through workout to eat a sandwich in the locker room today. I washed my hands...
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    I eat something light like a banana first thing in the morning (workout or no) otherwise I feel like crap. If I'm lifting I might eat something else. If I was running or cardio-ing I would (and have) get up a few hours early to eat something and then go back to bed. Eat too close and I'm pukey, but if I don't eat at all-I'm pukey and migrainey. I've done this for 5ks as well.

    I usually don't eat right after, bc I have zero appetite. At some point the exercise hunger kicks back in and a fun meal ensues. Like everyone else said, though, it's 100% preference. My bf could care less if he eats or not. He's ran/lifted fasted/post-McDonald's/whatever. It's infuriating.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    If it's in the morning, nothing. I do not seem to have a problem with fasted exercise. I've done 15mi runs fasted and not hit the wall, but if I'm going for that kind of distance I'll bring something (like a couple of dried fruits) just in case.

    If it's at night, it's going to be late (to avoid the heat of the day). So I eat dinner and wait 2+ hours. Even then I occasionally get a bit of gastrointestinal upset. A little reflux if I'm lucky, something that requires a detour to a port-o-let if I'm not.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It doesn't matter in the least...

    I usually workout in the afternoon or evening, so obviously I've eaten.
  • YOLO145
    YOLO145 Posts: 98 Member
    If I'm at the gym by 6:00 am I won't have anything except my preworkout supplement. If I sleep in (8am or so), I'll have a protein bar (150 cal, 10g protein) before heading to the gym. My reasoning is that if I go to the gym at 6 am I've only been fasting for ~8 hours but if I go later, I know I need something in my stomach because of the length of the fast.
  • Madwife2009
    Madwife2009 Posts: 1,369 Member
    I exercise first thing in the morning so I eat afterwards. I feel sick and generally yucky if I eat before, which impacts on my workout. I'm not usually hungry that early in the day anyway.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    xLexi1028 wrote: »
    Do you eat before or after your workout and why?
    I keep seeing a lot of discussion on this and I'd like to know your answer and reason ☺️

    Thank you!

    Generally I'd I'm doing a forenoon session I'll be out for anything between 2 and 5 hours.

    I'll eat beforehand and take fuel out as well
  • DrizztGirl82
    DrizztGirl82 Posts: 85 Member
    As soon as I get up I have a glass of water, then I go straight on a walk with my dog for at least 40 minutes. After that I have breakfast.
  • xLexi1028
    xLexi1028 Posts: 55 Member
    Thank you all so much ☺️
  • Amys712
    Amys712 Posts: 86 Member
    xLexi1028 wrote: »
    Do you eat before or after your workout and why?
    I keep seeing a lot of discussion on this and I'd like to know your answer and reason ☺️

    Thank you!


    If I work out early enough that I am finished by 930 am or so, I usually wait until after to eat. If I am going to finish later than that, I have a piece of fruit before I go.
  • mca90guitar
    mca90guitar Posts: 289 Member
    After, I work out within a hr after I wake up and I just can't stomach food first thing in the morning. I start eating around noon
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    I do both. 42g WPC and 350g of blueberries pre, 39g WPC and 420g of mixed berries and cherries post. Far more satisfying than dumping some sugar in a shake, imo.
This discussion has been closed.

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