Going to the gym really early

I've been going to the gym at 5 a.m. when it opens, just to make sure I can get one of the elliptical machines I like using before the morning crowd comes, and I've been doing well keeping a little bag of almonds or something in the car for after I work out (another friend said she drinks a bit of chocolate milk just to provide protein after a workout). But I've been reading up on weight training, and it seems like you should wait an hour after waking up before you do any serious lifting or stretching (your spinal discs fill with fluid overnight, according to Stuart McGill in Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance).

What type of workout are you doing? Cardio or weights. If just doing cardio, an empty stomach is fine and some people actually swear by fasted cardio. If hitting the weights on the other hand, you should have a high quality meal with protein and carbs about an hour beforehand. I have egg whites and oatmeal which helps fuel a strenuous workout.

I usually wake up early enough to eat and allow my food to digest before I go to the gym.

This is a matter of personal preference. Some people feel nauseous if they don't eat, others are just fine. Many people who follow an Intermittent Fasting protocol do not eat before an early workout.

I workout at 5:30 AM and I don't eat before. It is really up to you. Either way is just fine.

I go at 4am so I don't eat before I go. I wait until I get back home before work

do what works for you. you don't necessarily have to eat breakfast, and this is coming from a person who never ever sets foot out the house without eating breakfast, except very rarely.

but at 5 in the morning, you can skip on breakfast if you like

i usually eat banana/cereal/milk/tea/(and take my fish oil) or waffle/eggs/banana or oatmeal/banana

but fasted cardio is good if it doesn't make you feel sick/weak.

I often work out without eating first.

I do cardio at 6am. I usually eat a very light snack before. Its usually a mix of both carbs and protein. I have noticed that it always makes me feel better through my workouts. After, I eat another light snack that is mostly protein. Later on I will eat breakfast. It works for me.

I'm starting at a new school at the end of the month for my teaching placement and I KNOW that if I leave it until the end of the day to workout, I'll be too tired and have too much to do. My gym is just a few minutes from the school, I chose it for that very reason, so I plan to get there 3 times a week for when it opens at 7am, workout for 45 minutes, quick shower and be at school for as soon after 8 as possible. Like you I've had to try and think about food and how to do it so I've had some earlyish sessions this morning to test it out.

Like others have said, you really do need to eat before the gym. Not eating for 24 hours isn't healthy anyway but then going to the gym at the end of that is even worse, so ignore that advice!

Here's what I've found works personally. Wake up, have a glass of water (stops my post gym headache) and grab a banana and then get ready. That gives my body at least 40 minutes to deal with the banana before I get to the gym and then I'll do my workout, drink plenty of water and eat breakfast after. The breakfast bit I'm still working on as I'll be at the school so can't have just anything. People have suggested things like egg sandwich, protein shakes, muffin in a cup type things if you have to eat after whilst on the move. I usually do carbs before to fuel the workout and then high protein after to refuel my muscles and help them recover, works well for me.

Regardless of what time I go to the gym, if I don't eat something, even if it's one piece of toast, I get really dizzy.