Should I exercise in the am on an empty stomach to burn more

Lisa1971
Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm hearing both sides of this argument. Just wondering if I should continue to workout on an empty stomach or not? I get up at 6am and do 30 mins of cardio and 20 mins of strength training 6 days a week. Thanks!

Replies

  • szimba
    szimba Posts: 290 Member
    From what I've heard, you should at least eat a small protein based snack before your workout first thing in the morning
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    Personally, I need fuel before a workout or I get nauseous.
  • kellyscomeback
    kellyscomeback Posts: 1,369 Member
    It's a personal choice, some people need to eat something before working out and others don't. So I say it's up to you & your body.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Sorry, the title should read "to burn more fat."
  • sryan8408
    sryan8408 Posts: 244
    I think its whatever you feel good doing. Some people say you thrive on fat stores when you workout on an empty stomach and some people say eat an hour before because you can workout harder. Personally I can't even eat anything small and workout an hour after. It makes me feel like I'm about to throw up. If I eat I have to eat 2 hours before I workout. So if you're getting up at 6am then I think you should stick with an empty stomach but make sure you eat right after. Hope this helps!
  • DianaPowerUp
    DianaPowerUp Posts: 518 Member
    I've tried it both ways, and I find that I get better workouts, and feel better, if I eat something about an hr. before. But it's really personal preference.
  • 8rules
    8rules Posts: 169
    Splitting hairs. Just exercise.

    Eat first or not, it barely matters. What matters is consistency and pushing yourself. If you can do that better eating a little something first, go for it. If being hungry and primal feeling helps you, go that way.

    The quality of your workout is going to matter far more than when you eat. So eat in whatever manner lets you kill it while you work out.
  • snkeller24
    snkeller24 Posts: 459
    Last article I read in FitnessRX was that you should eat roughly an hour before working out; a small meal. They basically said it's better to eat something, especially if you're lifting heavy.
  • 1myfit
    1myfit Posts: 69
    Try it both ways see if it makes a difference. But I get sick if I don't eat.
  • lloydrt
    lloydrt Posts: 1,121 Member
    Hey lisa, for me and again ,this applies only to me, I work out at 5 55 am until 7 30 or so......sometimes till 8 if I have the time. . I ve been working out about a year and a half ,the first year doing cardio and now this last 8 months, I m doing both cardio and HIT...........I dont eat till 9, thats the earliest I can eat, and usually its just oatmeal. I need to eat more protein after I work out, but I ve got to say that my routine has got me to where I am. Again, Im a male, 56 and had lots to lose and this method worked for me.

    I know some eat before, some right after. I couldnt eat a lot, just would feel uncomfortable I cant eat a good breakfast at 5 30 in the morning. My schedule is wild, so this is the way its been for me .....Good luck, Im enjoying the replies........Lloyd
  • IMYarnCraz33
    IMYarnCraz33 Posts: 1,016 Member
    Why would we want to work out on an empty stomach,
    when our body needs fuel to burn away those calories?
    This is coming from someone that used to workout on an empty stomach.
    I used to think I would lose weight faster--bcuz there was no food to burn
    and it would burn away the fat stores. But... I never saw much change.

    If you're working out in the am, then yes, eat something.
    Otherwise you may not have the energy to complete it.
  • Kany
    Kany Posts: 336
    I had that dilemma too. I work out in the AM and was debating whether I should work out on an empty stomach or not. after reading both sides of the argument, I think it works best for me to eat before hitting the gym. I'll have something small (under 100 calories) such as a banana or a hard-boiled egg. It gives me more energy to workout longer thus burning more calories in the AM. I also go mountain biking on the weekends. Before I hit the trail I'll have a big breakfast (maybe a 6" subway sandwich) knowing that I will expend more energy than what I consume in that morning. I've tried riding without eating breakfast before and by mid ride, I didn't have any energy left for the uphill. I also end up feeling starved and end up eating a lot more after the bike ride so eating before I ride has more advantage for me.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Thanks so much everyone!
  • gimedatnow
    gimedatnow Posts: 173 Member
    I love to do long runs in the morning, especially because the weather's so nice and crisp! :) Anyway, the literature on this topic is super controversial.

    Mayo Clinic suggests eating a small meal at least 1-2 hrs before working out (even in the AM)...
    <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ00594_D&gt;

    while FitSugar and some MSNBC articles recommend just a small snack...
    <http://www.fitsugar.com/Eat-Before-You-Workout-Morning-821509&gt;
    <http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23058659/ns/today-today_health/t/eat-right-foods-after-workout/&gt;

    and other MSNBC articles say exercise on a full stomach will max weight loss ...
    <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37492881/ns/health-fitness/t/get-rid-fat-dont-eat-workout/&gt;


    IMHO, you wouldn't drive a car without gas, but chances are, you don't need to fill up the whole tank to get where you're going. Eat something small (a few almonds or an egg) before your workout, but don't eat something that's going to get your stomach going. The calories will help you get through your workout; or if you're like me, they will be your motivation to at least get out of bed. :P
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Why would we want to work out on an empty stomach,
    when our body needs fuel to burn away those calories?
    This is coming from someone that used to workout on an empty stomach.
    I used to think I would lose weight faster--bcuz there was no food to burn
    and it would burn away the fat stores. But... I never saw much change.

    If you're working out in the am, then yes, eat something.
    Otherwise you may not have the energy to complete it.
    Well, I guess the myth comes from this: I heard or read in serveral sources that when you take in food with sugar and carbonhydrate, the first 20 minutes of workout will burn the energy from the sugars and carbs, then start using stored fat...

    I could have quoted it wrong, but I think that is what it said.

    So assume if you have no food, your body would have to burn the fat directly? I'm not sure...Don't beat me. :)
  • Circa1964
    Circa1964 Posts: 225 Member
    I have done both and feel like I lose energy and don't work out as hard or long. I read a study recently that said people lost more weight when they did NOT eat before a morning workout.
  • XFitMojoMom
    XFitMojoMom Posts: 3,255 Member
    I say eat so you don't run out of steam. I eat protein in the morning, refuel with a piece of fruit and more protein right after.
  • 8rules
    8rules Posts: 169
    I think this bares repeating.

    Do whatever provides YOU with the ability to maximize your workout efforts. I know one guy who does not eat, and drinks a gallon of water before his workout so he doesn't have to stop for drinks.

    Harder workouts make a big difference, when you eat, not so much.
  • osimodel
    osimodel Posts: 8
    Cows have 4 stomachs to make grass/grain digestible, we have 1 to make cows digestible :)

    i couldnt have said that better myself...mmmmmmmm beef its whats for dinner :D

    In ARMY basic training, we got up, hit formation, did our pushups, situps, ran our butts off, then went back and ate as much as we could stuff in our faces. WELL....

    the other poster stated eat somthing small or some extra protien, i say carbs are the sugars that make our body go. protien is what builds our muscles. so in short. maybe fruit befor you excersize.
  • lovetowrite73
    lovetowrite73 Posts: 1,244 Member
    Like others have said, it's a personal choice. I do not have the ability to eat prior to working out in the AM because I am usually hitting it hard by 4:30. What sense does it make to get up at 3:30 because that is what's recommended? :laugh: I find that my workouts in the early AM are more affected by the quantity and quality of sleep I get the night before.
  • Michelle_M2002
    Michelle_M2002 Posts: 301 Member
    I prefer to work out first thing in the morning. I find that the later it gets, the less likely I am to get my workout in.
    However, I can't eat first thing in the morning, it makes me nauseous. So for me to eat before my 8am work out, I'd have to get up at like 5:30 am. Just to be able to eat by 7am, to go work out at 8am.

    So, I choose to not eat before working out. I take a snack in an insulated lunch bag and eat directly after my workout.

    If I KNOW I'm not going to work out until the afternoon, then I make sure to eat a light protein meal about an hour and a half prior to working out.

    This is what works FOR ME.

    God bless!!!
  • leachan79
    leachan79 Posts: 15 Member
    You should eat a little bit to give your body the energy to burn more! I normally eat 2 hard boil eggs before i run in the morning.. :)
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    i've employed some fasted cardio here and there as i got leaner, but did take some BCAA pre workout to minimize muscle loss
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