Food w/Morning Exercise

SE83
SE83 Posts: 2
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Question: if I want to exercise first thing when I wake up, am I supposed to eat anything beforehand? Or do it on an empty stomach? And what should I eat after and after how long ideally?
What I've been doing is having a banana and chugging some water, working out, then eating the regular breakfast.
I'm largely trying to do weight loss right now, but also trying to improve cardio-vascular fitness.
Any advice/feedback would be appreciated.

Replies

  • NorthRiver
    NorthRiver Posts: 35 Member
    Working out on an empty stomach is definitely not a good idea. You'll run on empty and you'll lack energy. Have something light right when you wake up so your workout is better fueled. For example, you could go for instant oatmeal (one that doesn't have all the sugar), or a granola bar, or some nuts...
  • idcatiej22
    idcatiej22 Posts: 49 Member
    i usually eat a banana right before i work out, and then i have breakfast/lunch/dinner (whatever meal should happen at that time of day) after.
  • maura5880
    maura5880 Posts: 346 Member
    I usually have a slice of toast & some peanut butter before a workout & then a regular breakfast after. Although, sometimes I do work out on an empty stomach and I haven't noticed any bad effects from that.
  • thewingnut13
    thewingnut13 Posts: 50 Member
    I workout daily on a empty stomach and have no issue. I then have a normal breakfast afterwards.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Try both and see how you prefer :]
    I don't like eating in the morning so I have some black coffee and go
  • stephabef
    stephabef Posts: 936 Member
    You'll get different answers. I wake up at 6, eat breakfast (oatmeal and almond butter), drink a bunch of water, digest, then run at 7. After my run, I have some quick protein. Figure out what fuels you best! :)
  • FindingMyself239
    FindingMyself239 Posts: 57
    i work out some days on a empty stomach sometimes.. i dont recommand cause then i dont exercise as much and my engery level is shot...continue what your doing water and fruit....work out untl yur tired..were all differnt...me i work out a good 90 mintues and call it a day:)
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    I have to eat something but it is really what you prefer. not really a good idea to workout with nothing to go on because your body will take what is the quickest to burn which is muscle
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    at least that is what the trainer says!
  • FAVOLOSOMII
    FAVOLOSOMII Posts: 188 Member
    I workout daily on a empty stomach and have no issue. I then have a normal breakfast afterwards.

    Same here, but I'll drink my green shake.
  • hajjcomb
    hajjcomb Posts: 118 Member
    Our bodies can hold about two hours of glycogen stores in muscle to convert to energy. Try both ways, see what works best for you.

    If I know I have a big workout ahead, say around two hours with moderate to high intensity, I will eat something. 1.5 hours or less, I will usually just have breakfast within 30 minutes of finishing.
  • BigPatrickB
    BigPatrickB Posts: 13 Member
    Lately I've been a fan of a thing of Carbmaster (aka Greek) yogurt, a piece of dry Double Fiber toast and a banana before a workout. I do 70 minutes of cardio plus I lift heavy free weights for 20-30 sets and that gets me through the whole thing no problem. The yogurt digests easily so it keeps the queasy stomach feelings at bay for the most part.
  • mea9
    mea9 Posts: 561 Member
    My Dr. says a glass of milk. You have to redefine what is "food".
  • ranewell
    ranewell Posts: 621 Member
    I do the same thing you're doing. I have a banana or a 100 calorie cereal bar, something with relatively healthy carbs to give me an energy boost. I was working out on an empty stomach, but halfway through I would get so nauseated I thought I would get sick. Eating and hydrating prior to the workout really helped!!
  • Kimbers70
    Kimbers70 Posts: 102 Member
    Ironically, I just read an article regarding eating/fasting prior to work outs. I am inserting the text I read below:


    "Several studies suggest exercising while your body is low on food may be a good way to trim excess fat. In a recent paper, European researchers found that cyclists who trained without eating burned significantly more fat than their counterparts who ate.

    Muscles usually get their energy from carbohydrates, which is why athletes like Lance Armstrong and Michael Phelps scarf down enormous amounts of food before a race. But if you haven't eaten before exercising, your body doesn't have many carbohydrates in reserve. That forces it to burn fat instead, scientists say."

    I have worked out with and without food and for me there was really not difference in energy levels. Also, after working out I am not hungry.
  • firedragon064
    firedragon064 Posts: 1,082 Member
    I have my tea (caffeine) before cardio work out.
  • HSingMomto7Kids
    HSingMomto7Kids Posts: 345 Member
    I used to exercise in the morning as soon as I got up on an empty stomach. There are times I do that, but most of the time I will eat and then work-out right afterwards. My energy is soo much higher now since doing this. And I swear I have lost more weight now since.
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